Ход королевы

           ShealwaystookthetroubletosetupthegameBennyhadplayedandactuallymovethepieces,carefullystudyingthewayhehadplayedit.Inaroundrobineachplayermeteachoftheothersonetime;shewouldmeetBennyintheeleventhgame.

           Sincetherewerethirteengamesandthetournamentlastedtwoweeks,therewasonedayoff—thefirstSunday.Shesleptlatethatmorning,stayedalongtimeintheshower,andthentookalongwalkaroundthecampus.Itwasverytranquil,withwell-mowedlawnsandelmtreesandanoccasionalpatchofflowers—asereneMidwesternSundaymorning,butshemissedthecompetitionofthematch.Shemomentarilyconsideredwalkingintothetown,whereshehadheardtherewereadozenplacestodrinkbeer,butthoughtbetterofit.Shedidnotwanttoerodeanymorebraincells.Shelookedatherwatch;itwaseleveno’clock.SheheadedfortheStudentUnionBuilding,wherethecafeteriawas.Shewouldgetsomecoffee.

           Therewasapleasantwood-paneledloungeonthemainfloor.Whenshecamein,BennyWattswassittingonabeigecorduroysofaatthefarendofitwithachessboardandclockonthetableinfrontofhim.Twootherplayerswerestandingnearby,andhewassmilingatthem,explainingsomethingaboutthegameinfrontofhim.

           ShehadstarteddownstairsforthecafeteriawhenBenny’svoicecalledtoher.“Comeonover.”Shehesitated,turnedandwalkedover.Sherecognizedtheothertwoplayersatonce;oneofthemshehadbeatentwodaysbeforewiththeQueen’sGambit.

           “Lookatthis,Beth,”Bennysaid,pointingtotheboard.“White’smove.