[Verse 1] Step in the zone where the tension’s high Mask behind my grin I’m the wolf in the choir You think I’m vibing? I’m disassembling your plans Paskalev’s the architect But you’ll blame the landscape I’ll bless your track with a curse in the verse You’ll call it a coincidence when your world starts to erode I’m the snow in the Sahara Subtle but I’ll freeze you Quiet in the playback Loud when it eats you [Pre-Chorus] Move your king one square I see three Every smile on my face is a decoy piece You brag about pressure I breathe in the squeeze Checkmate coming in a casual breeze [Chorus] Shadow chess I’m five moves ahead of your breath You just flex I redraw the board in your head Every “win” on your page is a thread I’ve fed You play loud But I write the rules instead Shadow chess Every handshake hiding a threat You move first But I’m calling where you step Pray for luck But I’m rigging what you get Shadow chess You don’t know you’re lost yet [Verse 2] You chase trends I chase patterns in your fear (yeah) I map out the routes you pretend aren’t there You post up trophies I post bail for your pride Then tax every favor when you’re cornered inside I’m the glitch in the glare of your grand debut The crack in the glass you swear ain’t through You think it’s random when your trust explodes It’s just my quiet script running in the code [Bridge] [Beat drops to bass and hats] Slide your knight Trade your queen It’s cute (uh) I’m already drafting your post-game excuse Say it was fate Say it was stress I’ll just smirk in the dark Whisper “shadow chess” [Chorus] Shadow chess I’m five moves ahead of your breath You just flex I redraw the board in your head Every “win” on your page is a thread I’ve fed You play loud But I write the rules instead Shadow chess Every handshake hiding a threat You move first But I’m calling where you step Pray for luck But I’m rigging what you get Shadow chess You don’t know you’re lost yet (shadow chess)