Ход королевы
Chapter 5
“Russia’smurder,”hesaidfinally.“TheyeatAmericansforbreakfastoverthere.”
“Now,really…”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.
“Theyreallydo,”Nobilesaid.“Idon’tthinkthere’sbeenanAmericanwithaprayeragainsttheRussiansfortwentyyears.It’slikeballet.Theypaypeopletoplaychess.”
BeththoughtofthosepicturesinChessReview,ofthemenwithgrimfaces,bendingoverchessboards—BorgovandTal,LaevandShapkin,scowling,wearingdarksuits.ChessinRussiawasadifferentthingthanchessinAmerica.Finallysheasked,“HowdoIgetintheU.S.Open?”
“Justsendinanentryfee,”Nobilesaid.“It’slikeanyothertournament,exceptthecompetition’sstiffer.”
***
Shesentinherentryfee,butshedidnotplayintheU.S.Openthatyear.Mrs.Wheatleydevelopedavirusthatkeptherinbedfortwoweeks,andBeth,whohadjustpassedherfifteenthbirthday,wasunwillingtogoalone.Shedidherbesttohideit,butshewasfuriousatAlmaWheatleyforbeingsick,andatherselfforbeingafraidtomakethetriptoLosAngeles.TheOpenwasnotasimportantastheU.S.Championship,butitwastimeshestartedplayinginsomethingotherthaneventschosensolelyonthebasisoftheprizemoney.TherewasatightlittleworldoftournamentsliketheUnitedStatesChampionshipandtheMerriwetherInvitationalthatsheknewofthroughoverheardconversationsandfromarticlesinChessReview;itwastimeshegotintoit,andthenintointernationalchess
