Ход королевы
Chapter 4
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BethhadseenSizemorebefore;hewasasmall,ugly,thin-facedmanwhosmokedcigarettescontinuously.SomeonehadtoldherhewasStateChampionbeforeBeltik.BethwouldplayhimonBoardTwointheroomwiththesignreading“TopBoards.”
Sizemorewasn’tthereyet,butnexttoher,atBoardOne,Beltikwasfacinginherdirection.Bethlookedathimandthenlookedaway.Itwasafewminutesbeforethree.Thelightsinthissmallerroom—barebulbsunderametalprotectionbasket—seemedbrighterthanthoseinthebigroom,brighterthantheyhadbeeninthemorning,andforamomenttheshineonthevarnishedfloorwithitspaintedredlineswasblinding.
Sizemorecamein,combinghishairinanervous,quickway.Acigarettehungfromhisthinlips.Ashepulledhischairback,Bethfeltherselfbecomingverytight.
“Ready?”Sizemoreaskedgruffly,slippingthecombintohisshirtpocket.
“Yes,”shesaidandpunchedhisclock.
Heplayedpawntokingfourandthenpulledouthiscombandstartedbitingonitthewayapersonbitesontheeraserendofapencil.Bethplayedpawntoqueenbishopfour.
BythemiddlegameSizemorehadbeguncombinghishairaftereachmove.HehardlyeverlookedatBethbutconcentratedontheboard,wrigglinginhisseatsometimesashecombedandpartedandrepartedhishair.Thegamewaseven,andtherewerenoweaknessesoneitherside.Therewasnothingtodobutfindthebestsquaresforherknightsandbishopsandwait.Shewouldmove,writethemovedownonherscoresheetandsitbackinherchair.Afterawhileacrowdbegantogatherattheropes.
