Ход королевы

           ”Goingbacktothehotelthroughawindthatwhippedtinysnowflakesagainsther,Bethkeptlookingdownathernewshoesandhighplaidsocks.Shelikedthewayherfeetfelt,likedthetightnessofthewarmsocksagainsthercalves,andlikedthewaytheylooked—brightexpensivesocksabovebrightbrown-and-whiteshoes.Shekeptlookingdown.

           ***

           Thatafternoonshewasmatchedwithamiddle-agedOhioanwitharatingof1910.SheplayedtheSicilianandforcedhimtoresignafteranhourandahalf.Hermindwasasclearasithadeverbeen,andshewasabletousesomeofthethingsshehadlearnedoverthepastweeksfromstudyinghernewbookbytheRussianMasterBoleslavski.

           WhensheturnedinherscoresheetSizemorewasstandingnearthedesk.Shesawafewotherfamiliarfacesfromthattournament,anditfeltgoodtoseethem,butshereallywantedtoseeonlyoneplayerfrombefore—Townes.Shelookedseveraltimesbutdidn’tfindhim.

           Backintheirroomthatevening,Mrs.WheatleywatchedTheBeverlyHillbilliesandTheDickVanDykeShow,whileBethsetupandwentoverhertwogames,lookingforweaknessesinherplay.Thereweren’tany.ThenshegotoutthebookbyReubenFineonend-gamesandbeganstudying.Theendgameinchesshaditsownfeeling;itwaslikeanaltogetherdifferentcontest,onceyougotdowntoapieceortwooneachsideandthequestionbecameoneofqueeningapawn.Itcouldbeagonizinglysubtle;therewasnochanceforthekindofviolentattackBethloved.

           ButshewasboredwithReubenFine,andafterawhilesheclosedthebookandwenttobed.