Ход королевы
Chapter 1
Andhereadeverywordaloud,withcare.
SheheldModernChessOpeningsunderherdeskwhileMr.Esperoread.Shewentthroughvariationsoneatatime,playingthemoutinherhead.Bythethirddaythenotations—P-K4,N-KB3—leaptintoherquickmindassolidpiecesonrealsquares.Shesawthemeasily;therewasnoneedforaboard.ShecouldsittherewithModernChessOpeningsinherlap,onthebluesergepleatedskirtoftheMethuenHome,andwhileMr.Esperodronedonabouttheenlargementofthespiritthatgreatpoetrygivesusorreadaloudlineslike“Tohimwhointheloveofnatureholds/communionwithhervisibleforms,shespeaksavariouslanguage,”themovesofchessgamesclickedintoplacebeforeherhalf-shuteyes.Inthebackofthebookwerecontinuationsdowntotheveryendofsomeoftheclassicgames,totwenty-seventh-moveresignationsortodrawsonthefortieth,andshehadlearnedtoputthepiecesthroughtheirentireballet,sometimescatchingherbreathattheeleganceofacombinationattackorofasacrificeortherestrainedbalanceofforcesinaposition.Andalwayshermindwasonthewin,oronthepotentialforthewin.
“‘Forhisgayerhoursshehasavoiceofgladness/andasmileandeloquenceofbeauty…’”readMr.Espero,whileBeth’sminddancedinawetothegeometricalrococoofchess,rapt,enraptured,drowninginthegrandpermutationsastheyopenedtohersoul,andhersoulopenedtothem.
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“Cracker!”JolenehissedastheyleftHistory.
“Nigger,”Bethhissedback.
Jolenestoppedandturnedtostareather.
