Check and mate

The Queen was the most powerful piece on the board.

It was true in real life, as well. The King was the focus of attention, the key to the game, limited and vulnerable. He had to stay behind the front lines, protected by his knights and foot soldiers and mages.

When he insisted on running out in front of all of them, what hope was there? A king sacrifice was not a winning move.

Yet all metaphors must fall apart at some point. The game continued, the pieces continued to move.

When the Queen was freed to act, Ferelden won.