Ход королевы

           Right?”

           Bethwasfamiliarwiththesemoves,butshehadneverseenthemplayed.Sheexpectedthemantomovethewhitequeen’sknightnext,andhedid.Thenhehadtheblackpawncapturethewhite,andtookthecapturingpawnwiththewhiteknight.HeplayedBlack’skingknighttobishopthreeandbroughtWhite’sotherknightout.Bethrememberedthemove.Lookingatitnow,itseemedtame.Shefoundherselfspeakingup.“I’dtaketheknight,”shesaidquietly.

           Themanlookedatherandraisedhiseyebrows.“Aren’tyouthatkidfromKentucky—theonewhowipedoutHarryBeltik?”

           “Yes,”Bethsaid.“Ifyoutaketheknight,itdoubleshispawns…”

           “Bigdeal,”themansaid.“Allpawnsandnohope.Here’showtowinwithBlack.”HelefttheknightinthecenteroftheboardandplayedBlack’spawntokingfour.Thenhecontinuedlayingoutthemovesofagame,shufflingthepiecesaroundontheboardwithcasualdexterity,occasionallypointingoutapotentialtrap.Thegamebuilttoabalancedfugueinthecenter.Itwasliketime-lapsephotographyonTVwhereapale-greenstalkhumpsitselffromdirt,heightens,swellsandexplodesintoapeonyorarose.

           Someotherpeoplehadcomeintotheroomandwerewatching.Bethwasfeelinganewkindofexcitementwiththisdisplay,withtheknowingness,theclarityandnerveofthemanintheblackcap.Hebegantradingpiecesinthecenter,liftingthecapturedonesofftheboardwithhisfingertipsasthoughtheyweredeadflies,keepingupasoft-voicedpatterthatpointedoutnecessitiesandweaknesses,pitfallsandstrengths.