Ход королевы

           Alreadyhisqueenbishopwaslockedinbymovesshehadforced,andhisqueenwastieddownprotectingarook.Herpieceswerefreeingthemselvesmorewitheverymove.Thereseemedtobenoendtoherabilitytofindthreats.

           Shelookedaroundagain.Theothergameswerefinished.Thatwasasurprise.Shelookedatherwatch.Itwasafteroneo’clock.Theyhadbeenplayingforoverthreehours.Sheturnedherattentionbacktotheboard,studieditafewminutesandbroughtherqueentothecenter.Itwastimetoapplymorepressure.ShelookedacrossthetableatBorgov.

           Hewasasunruffledasever.Hedidnotmeethereyesbutkepthisontheboard,studyingherqueenmove.Thenheshruggedalmostimperceptiblyandattackedthequeenwitharook.Shehadknownhemightdothat,andshehadherresponseready.Sheinterposedaknight,threateningacheckthatwouldtaketherook.Hewouldhavetomovethekingnowandshewouldbringthequeenovertotherookfile.Shecouldseehalfadozenwaysofthreateninghimfromthere,withthreatsmoreurgentthantheonesshehadbeenmaking.

           Borgovmovedimmediately,andhedidnotmovehisking.Hemerelyadvancedarookpawn.Shehadtostudyitforfiveminutesbeforeseeingwhathewasupto.Ifshecheckedhim,hewouldlethertaketherookandthenstationhisbishopaheadofthepawnhehadjustpushed,andshewouldhavetomoveherqueen.Sheheldherbreath,alarmed.Herrookonthebackrankwouldfall,andwithittwopawns.Thatwouldbedisastrous.Shehadtobackherqueenofftoaplacewhereitcouldescape.Shegrittedherteethandmovedit.