Ход королевы
Chapter 9
”
Henoddedgrimlyandsetthestackofbulletinsonthefloorbythecoffeetable.“CapablancawouldhavebeatenBorgov.”
“Noteverygame.”
“Everygamethatcounted,”Beltiksaid.
Shestudiedhisface.Hewasyoungerthansherememberedhim.Butshewasoldernow.Hewasanuncompromisingyoungman;everypartofhimwasuncompromising.“YouthinkI’maprimadonna,don’tyou?”
Hepermittedhimselfasmallsmile.“We’reallprimadonnas,”hesaid.“That’schessforyou.”
WhensheputtheTVdinnersintheoventhatnight,theyhadtwoboardssetupwithendgamepositions:hissetwithitsgreenandcreamsquares,itsheavyplasticpieces;herwoodenboardwithitsrosewoodandmaplemen.BothsetsweretheStauntonpatternthatallseriousplayersused;bothhadfour-inchkings.Shehadn’tinvitedhimtostayforlunchanddinner;ithadbeenunderstood.Hewenttothegrocerystoreafewblocksawayforthefoodwhileshesatmusingoveragroupofpossiblerookmoves,tryingtoavoidadrawinatheoreticalgame.Whileshemadelunchhelecturedheraboutkeepingingoodphysicalshapeandgettingenoughsleep.Hehadalsoboughtthetwofrozendinnersforsupper.
“You’vegottostayopen,”Beltiksaid.“Ifyougetlockedintooneidea—likethiskingknightpawn,say—it’sdeath.Lookatthis…”Sheturnedtohisboardonthekitchentable.Hewasholdingacupofcoffeeandstanding,frowningdownattheboard,holdinghischinwiththeotherhand.
“Lookatwhat?”shesaid,irritated.
