Ход королевы

           WheatleyandtheFrenchdessertstheyhadsharedinplaceslikeCincinnatiandHouston.Sheshookitoff,orderedalastcupofcoffeeandfinishedthegameshewasgoingover:theKing’sIndianDefense,withtheblackbishopfianchettoedintheupperright-handcorneroftheboard,lookingdownthelongdiagonalforachancetopounce.Blackworkedtheking’ssidewhileWhiteworkedthequeen’ssideafterthebishopwentintothecorner.Verycivilized.Benny,playingBlack,wonithandily.

           Shepaidhercheckandleft.Fortherestofthedayandnightuntiloneinthemorningsheplayedoverallofthegamesinthebook.Whenshehadfinished,sheknewagreatdealmoreaboutBennyWattsandaboutprecisionchessthanshehadknownbefore.ShetooktwoofherMexicantranquilizersandwenttobed,fallingasleepinstantly.Sheawokepleasantlyatnine-thirtythenextmorning.Whileherbreakfasteggswereboiling,shechoseabookformorningstudy:PaulMorphyandtheGoldenAgeofChess.Itwasanoldbook,insomewaysoutdated.Thediagramsweregrayishandcluttered,anditwashardtotelltheblackpiecesfromthewhite.ButsomethinginhercouldstillthrillatthenamePaulMorphyandattheideaofthatstrangeNewOrleansprodigy,well-bred,alawyer,sonofahighcourtjudge,whowhenyoungdazzledtheworldwithhischessandthenquitplayingaltogetherandlapsedintomutteringparanoiaandanearlydeath.WhenMorphyplayedtheKing’sGambithesacrificedknightsandbishopswithabandonandthenmovedinontheblackkingwithdizzyingspeed