Ход королевы

           TherewasnomistakingthegrimRussianface,theauthoritarianscowl.ShehadseenitonthecoverofChessReviewseveraltimes,oncewiththesameblacksuitandsplashygreen-and-goldtie.

           Bethstaredforafullminute.ShehadnotknownBorgovwouldbeatthistournament.Shehadalreadyreceivedherboardassignmentbymail:itwasBoardNine.BorgovwouldbeBoardOne.Shefeltasuddenchillatthebackofherneckandlookeddownatthebeerinherhand.Sheraisedittohermouthandfinishedit,resolvingitwouldbeherlastuntilafterthetournament.LookingattheRussianagain,shepanicked;wouldherecognizeher?Hemustnotseeherdrinking.Hewaslookingintothecageasthoughwaitingforthegorillatomoveapawn.Thegorillawasclearlylostinherownthoughts,ignoringeveryone.Bethenviedher.

           Bethhadnomorebeerthatdayandwenttobedearly,butshewasawakenedbyMrs.Wheatley’sarrival,sometimeinthemiddleofthenight.Mrs.Wheatleycoughedagooddealwhileshewasundressinginthedarkenedroom.“Goaheadandturnthelighton,”Bethsaid.“I’mawake.”

           “I’msorry,”Mrs.Wheatleygaspedbetweencoughs.“Iseemtohaveavirus.”Sheturnedthebathroomlightonandpartiallyclosedthedoor.BethlookedatthelittleJapaneseclockonthenightstand.Itwastenafterfour.Thesoundsshemadeundressing—therustlingandpartlysuppressedcoughing—wereinfuriating.Beth’sfirstchessgamewouldbegininsixhours.Shelayinbedfuriousandtense,waitingforMrs.Wheatleytobequiet.