Chinese Checkers

A childhood game
Played in quiet contemplation
Six players
Battle for the prize
As marbles move
With strategy and grace.
Across the center court
Each looking to fill
The opposite triangle
Before any other.

Players practice
Hone their strategy
Build their mental acuity and stamina
Under a backdrop of hope
They poise themselves
On the eve of battle
Nerves of steel
Band together
As the audience watches
With bated breath.

What was once a childhood game
Becomes a battle of strategic minds.

Lines = 22

Prompt for: Feb 26 (FynRen) ▼

Subject or Theme: The next Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing, China in 2022. Create a new sport to be included--something not a part of it now, and it needn't be something typically even thought of as a sport.
Word(s) to Include: breath, backdrop (or any derivatives of these words)
Forbidden Word(s): sport, compete (or any derivatives of these words)
Additional Parameters: 22 lines; 2 ten line stanzas and a follow-up two line stanza. The title of your poem should include your choice for the new area of competition.Be descriptive!
Remember, do not use forbidden words ANYWHERE, including title or the brief description.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLai-nARtvw