Ход королевы

           DuringthenextfivemovesSizemorekeptbringingpiecesup,butBeth,seeingthelimitstowhathecoulddotoher,keptherattentionfocusedonthefarleft-handcorneroftheboard,onSizemore’squeenside;whenthetimecameshebroughtherbishopdowninthemiddleofhisclusteredpiecesthere,settingitonhisknighttwosquare.Fromwhereitsatnow,twoofhispiecescouldcaptureit,butifeitherdid,hewouldbeintrouble.

           Shelookedathim.Hehadtakenouthiscombagainandwasrunningitthroughhishair.Hisclockwasticking.

           Ittookhimfifteenminutestomakethemove,andwhenhediditwasashock.Hetookthebishopwithhisrook.Didn’theknowhewasafooltomovetherookoffthebackrank?Couldn’theseethat?Shelookedbackattheboard,double-checkedthepositionandbroughtoutherqueen.

           Hedidn’tseeituntilthemoveafternext,andhisgamefellapart.Hestillhadhiscombinhishandsixmoveslaterwhenshegotherqueen’spawn,passed,tothesixthrank.Hebroughthisrookunderthepawn.Sheattackeditwithherbishop.Sizemorestoodup,puthiscombinhispocket,reacheddowntotheboardandsethiskingonitsside.“Youwin,”hesaidgrimly.Theapplausewasthunderous.

           Aftershehadturnedinthescoresheetshewaitedwhiletheyoungmancheckedit,madeamarkonalistinfrontofhim,stoodupandwalkedtothebulletinboard.HetookthepushpinsfromthecardsayingSIZEMOREandthrewthecardintoagreenmetalwastebasket.ThenhepulledthepinsoutofthebottomcardandraisedittowhereSizemore’shadbeen.