Ход королевы
Chapter 8
IfsheandBorgovbothwontoday,theywouldnotnecessarilyplayeachotherinthefinalgametomorrow.Shewasnotsurewhethershewantedtoplayhimornot.PlayingGirevhadrattledher.ShefeltadimunsurenessaboutMrs.Wheatley,despiteherapparentresurgence;theimageofherwhiteskin,rougedcheeksandforcedsmilesmadeBethuneasy.Abuzzofvoiceshadbegunintheroomasplayersfoundtheirboards,setuptheirclocks,settledintopreparationsforplay.BethshookoffheruneaseaswellasshecouldandfoundBoardFour—thefirstboardinthebigroom—andwaitedforSolomon.
Solomonwasbynomeanseasy,andthegamelastedfourhoursbeforehewasforcedtoresign.Yetatnopointduringallofthattimedidsheeverloseheredge—thetinyadvantagethattheopeningmovegivestotheplayerofthewhitepieces.Solomondidnotsayanything,butshecouldtellfromthewayhestalkedoffafterwardthathewasfurioustobebeatenbyawoman.Shehadseenitoftenenoughbeforetorecognizeit.Usuallyitmadeherangry,butitdidn’tmatterrightnow.Shehadsomethingelseonhermind.
WhenhehadgoneshewenttolookinthesmallerroomwhereBorgovplayed,butitwasempty.Thewinningposition—Borgov’s—wasstilldisplayedonthebigboardonthewall;itwasasdevastatingasBeth’swinoverSolomonhadbeen.
Intheballroomshelookedatthebulletinboard.Someoftomorrow’spairingswerealreadyup.Thatwasasurprise.Shesteppedclosertolook,andherheartcaughtinherthroat;atthetopofthefinalslistinblackprintedletterswasBORGOV—HARMON.
