Ход королевы
Chapter 12
Oneofthemenwastakinghispicturewhiletheotherwastalkingtohim.Bethwatchedthethreeofthemforawhile,andhertensioneased.Shecouldbeathim.Sheturnedandwenttothedesktoregister.Playwouldstartintwentyminutes.
Itwasthesmallesttournamentshehadeverseen,inthiselegantoldbuildingneartheÉcoleMilitaire.Thereweresixplayersandfiverounds—oneroundadayforfivedays.IfsheorBorgovlostanearlyround,theywouldnotplayeachother,andthecompetitionwasstrong.Yet,strongasitwas,shedidnotfeeleitherofthemwouldbebeatenbyanyoneelse.Shewalkedthroughthedoorwayintothetournamentroomproper,feelingnoanxietyaboutthegameshewouldbeplayingthismorningorabouttheonesoverthenextfewdays.ShewouldnotplayBorgovuntiloneofthefinalrounds.ShewouldmeetaDutchgrandmasterintenminutesandplayBlackagainsthim,butshefeltnoapprehension.
Francewasnotknownforitschess,buttheroomtheyplayedinwasbeautiful.Twocrystalchandeliershungfromitshighblueceiling,andthebluefloweredcarpetonthefloorwasthickandrich.Therewerethreetablesofpolishedwalnut,eachwithapinkcarnationinasmallvaseatthesideoftheboard.Theantiquechairswereupholsteredinbluevelvetthatmatchedthefloorandceiling.Itwaslikeanexpensiverestaurant,andthetournamentdirectorswerelikewell-trainedwaitersintuxedos.Everythingwasquietandsmooth.ShehadflowninfromNewYorkthenightbefore,hadseenalmostnothingyetofParis,butshefeltateasehere.
