Ход королевы

           Bethwonthethirdonewithabeautifulsavejustbeforeherflagdropped,butshelostthenextfouranddrewthefifth.Someofthepositionswerebrilliantlycomplex,buttherewasnotimeforanalysis.Itwasthrillingbutfrustrating.Shehadneverinherlifebeenbeatensoconsistently,andalthoughitwasonlyfive-minutechessandnotserious,itwasanimmersioninquiethumiliation.Shehadneverfeltlikethisbefore.Sheplayedbeautifully,followedthegamewithprecisionandrespondedaccuratelytoeverythreat,mountedpowerfulthreatsofherown,butitmeantnothing.Bennyseemedtohavesomeresourcebeyondherunderstanding,andhewongameaftergamefromher.Shefelthelpless,andinsidehertheregrewaquietsenseofoutrage.

           Finallyshegavehimherlastfivedollars.Itwasfive-thirtyintheafternoon.ArowofemptyStyrofoamcupssatbytheboard.Whenshegotuptoleave,therewasapplauseandBennyshookherhand.Shewantedtohithimbutsaidnothing.Therewasrandomapplausefromthecrowdintheroom.

           Asshewasleaving,themanshehadplayedthefirstoftheweek,PhillipResnais,stoppedher.“Iwouldn’tworryaboutit,”hesaid.“Bennyplaysspeedchessaswellasanyoneintheworld.Itdoesn’treallymeanalot.”

           Shenoddedcurtlyandthankedhim.Whenshewentoutsideintothelate-afternoonsunlight,shefeltlikeafool.

           Thatnightshestayedinherroomandtooktranquilizers.Fourofthem.

           Shefeltrestedinthemorning,butstupid.Mrs.