Haha this is great, the writing is suspenseful and it flows well. Fantastic stuff.

I love this story! It draws upon nice traditions, an interesting concept, and oozes tension.

I wonder why he chose to play chess of all games…

I think chess is a reasonable choice. You certainly don’t want to challenge Death to a limbo contest. He’s got no ligaments.

Very tense and dramatic, and nice gradual reveal on the opponent being death as opposed to leading with it.