Ход королевы

           Insidetheyhadthisthick-carpetedroomwiththebigwhitebathroomandfluffyredtowelsandahugeplate-glassmirrorcoveringonewall.TherewasacolorTVonthedresserandabright-redbedspreadoneachofthebeds.

           Mrs.Wheatleywasinspectingtheroom,checkingthedresserdrawers,clickingtheTVonandoff,pattingawayawrinkleonthebedspread.“Well,”shesaid,“Iaskedthemforapleasantroom,andIbelievetheygaveittome.”Sheseatedherselfinthehigh-backedVictorianchairbyherbedasthoughshehadlivedintheGibsonHotelallherlife.

           ThetournamentwasonthemezzanineintheTaftRoom;allBethhadtodowastaketheelevator.Mrs.Wheatleyfoundthemadinerdownthestreetwheretheyhadbaconandeggsforbreakfast,thenshewentbacktobedwithacopyoftheCincinnatiEnquirerandapackofChesterfieldswhileBethwentdowntothetournamentandregistered.Shestilldidnothavearating,butthistimeoneofthemenatthedeskknewwhoshewas;theydidn’ttrytoputherintheBeginnersSection.Therewouldbetwogamesaday,andthetimecontrolwouldbe120/40,whichmeantyouhadtwohourstomakefortymoves.

           Whileshewassigningin,shecouldhearadeepvoicecomingthroughoneofthedoubledoorsthatstoodopentotheTaftRoom,wherethegameswouldbe.Shelookedthatwayandsawpartofthebigballroom,withalongrowofemptytablesandafewmenwalkingaround.

           Whenshewalkedin,shesawastrangemanslouchedonasofawithblack-bootedfeetrestingonacoffeetable.“…andtherookcomestotheseventhrank,”hewassaying.