An Iowa City man pled guilty today to killing his friend after an argument over a chess game.

David Christian, 30, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter Sept. 25.

He had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Michael Steward. The two were drinking while playing chess on Oct. 19, 2008. After an argument and assault, Christian put Steward in a headlock and held him there until the victim was unresponsive, police reports show.

Unlike second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter indicates the killing was the result of a “sudden and violent passion, brought on by serious provocation.”

When the judge asked Christian — dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit — if the assault was that provocation, Christian said, “Yes.”

Under the agreement, Christian waives his right to appeal the verdict. He will be sentenced to the maximum penalty for the Class C felony — 10 years in prison — though a parole board will decide how much of the sentence he will serve.

The state agreed to suspend the $1,000 minimum fine, though Christian must still pay $150,000 in restitution to the victim’s family.

According to Assistant County Attorney David Tiffany, the agreement was a result of the wishes of the victim’s family, who wanted the mandatory sentence that came with voluntary manslaughter, but also for Christian to get any psychological help he needs.