Ход королевы
Chapter 9
Hereacheddown,pickedupthewhiterook,moveditacrosstheboardtokingrookone—thelowerright-handcorner.“Nowhisrookpawn’spinned.”
“Sowhat?”
“He’sgottomovethekingnoworhegetsstucklater.”
“Iseethat,”shesaid,hervoicealittlesofternow.“ButIdon’tsee—”
“Lookatthequeensidepawns,wayoverhere.”Hepointedtotheothersideoftheboard,atthethreewhitepawnsinterlinked.Shewalkedovertothetabletogetabetterlook.“Hecandothis,”shesaid,andmovedtheblackrookovertwosquares.
Beltiklookedupather.“Tryit.”
“Okay.”Shesatdownbehindthepieces.
InhalfadozenmovesBeltikhadgottenhisqueenbishoppawntotheseventhrankandqueeningitwasinevitable.Itwouldcosttherookandthegametostopit.Hehadbeenright;itwasnecessarytomovethekingwhentherookhadcomeacrosstheboard.“Youwereright,”shesaid.“Didyoufigureitout?”
“It’sfromAlekhinesomewhere,”hesaid.“Igotitfromabook.”
Beltikwentbacktohishotelaftermidnight,andBethstayedupforseveralhoursreadingthemiddle-gamebook,notsettingupthepositionsonaboardbutreviewingtheminherimagination.Onethingbotheredher,butshedidnotletherselfdwellonit.Shecouldnotpicturethepiecesaseasilyasshehadwhenshewaseightandnineyearsold.Shecouldstilldoit,butitwasmoreofaneffortandsometimesshewasuncertainaboutwhereapawnorabishopbelongedandhadtoretracethemovesinhermindtomakesure.
