Ход королевы

           Shehadsleptwellontheplaneandthensleptagaininherhotel;beforethatshehadputinfivesolidweeksofpractice.Shehadneverfeltmoreprepared.

           TheDutchmanplayedtheRétiOpening,andshetreateditthewayshedidwhenBennyplayedit,gettingequalitybytheninthmove.Shebeganattackingbeforehehadachancetocastle,atfirstwithabishopsacrificeandthenbyforcinghimtogiveupaknightandtwopawnstodefendhisking.Bythesixteenthmoveshewasthreateningcombinationsallovertheboardandalthoughshewasneverabletobringoneoff,thethreatwasenough.Hewasforcedtoyieldtoherabitatatimeuntil,bottledupandirrecoverablybehind,hegaveup.ShewaswalkinghappilyalongtheRuedeRivolibynoon,enjoyingthesunshine.Shelookedatblousesandshoesintheshopwindows,andwhilesheboughtnothing,itwasapleasure.PariswasabitlikeNewYorkbutmorecivilized.Thestreetswerecleanandtheshopwindowsbright;therewererealsidewalkcafesandpeoplesittinginthemenjoyingthemselves,talkinginFrench.Shehadbeensowrappedupinchessthatonlynowdidsherealize:shewasactuallyinParis!ThiswasParis,thisavenueshewaswalkingon;thosebeautifullydressedwomenwalkingtowardherwereFrenchwomen,Parisiennes,andsheherselfwaseighteenyearsoldandtheUnitedStatesChampionatchess.Shefeltforamomentajoyfulpressureinherchestandslowedherwalking.Twomenwerepassingher,headsbentinconversation,andsheheardonesaying“…avecdeuxpartiesseulement.