Ход королевы

           Itwouldsimplifyagooddeal,buttheproblemwasthatitmadeforanendgameandshetriedtoavoidendgames.Now,seeingthatshewasforty-fiveminutesbehindhimontheclock,shefeltuncomfortable.Shewouldhavetogetridofthislogjam.Shepickedupherknightandtookhisking’sbishopwithit.Herespondedimmediately,notevenlookingupather.Hetookherqueen’sbishop.Theycontinuedwiththemovesasthoughtheyhadbeenpredetermined,andwhenitwasover,theboardwasfullofemptyspaces.Eachplayerhadarook,aknight,fourpawnsandtheking.Shebroughtherkingoutfromthebackrank,andsodidhe.Atthisstagetheking’spowerasanattackerbecameabruptlymanifest;itwasnolongernecessarytohideit.Thequestionnowwasoneofgettingapawntotheeighthrankandpromotingit.Theywereintheendgame.

           Shedrewinherbreath,shookherheadtoclearitandbegantoconcentrateontheposition.Theimportantthingwastohaveaplan.

           “Weshouldperhapsadjournnow.”ItwasGirev’svoice,almostawhisper.Shelookedathisface,paleandserious,andthenlookedbackattheclock.Bothflagshadfallen.Thathadneverhappenedtoherbefore.Shewasstartledandsatstupidlyinherchairforamoment.“Youmustsealthemove,”Girevsaid.Suddenlyhelookeduncomfortableandhelduphishandforthetournamentdirector.

           Oneofthedirectorscameover,walkingsoftly.Itwasamiddle-agedmanwiththickglasses.“MissHarmonmustsealhermove,”Girevsaid.

           Thedirectorlookedattheclock.“I’llgetanenvelope.”

           Shelookedattheboardagain.