Ход королевы

           Borgovbroughtthebishopout,anyway,wherethepawnprotectedit.Shestaredatitamomentbeforethemeaningofitdawnedonher;anyoftheseveralmovesshecouldmaketodislodgeitwouldcostherinsomeway,andifsheleftitthere,itstrengthenedeverythingabouthisposition.Shelookedupathisface.Hewasregardinghernowwithahintofasmile.Shelookedquicklybackattheboard.

           Shetriedcounteringwithoneofherownbishops,butheneutralizeditwithapawnmovethatblockedthediagonal.Shehadplayedbeautifully,wasstillplayingbeautifully,buthewasoutplayingher.Shewouldhavetobeardownharder.

           Shedidbeardownharderandfoundexcellentmoves,asgoodasanyshehadeverfound,buttheywerenotenough.Bythethirty-fifthherthroatwasdry,andwhatshesawinfrontofherontheboardwasthedisarrayofherpositionandthegrowingstrengthofBorgov’s.Itwasincredible.Shewasplayingherbestchess,andhewasbeatingher.

           Onthethirty-eighthmovehebroughthisrookcrisplydowntohersecondrankforthefirstthreatofmate.Shecouldseeclearlyenoughhowtoparrythat,butbehinditweremoreandmorethreatsthatwouldeithermateherortakeherqueenorgivehimasecondqueen.Shefeltsick.Foramomentitdizziedherjusttolookattheboard,atthevisiblemanifestationofherownpowerlessness.

           Shedidnottoppleherking.Shestoodup,andlookingathisemotionlessface,said,“Iresign.”Borgovnodded.Sheturnedandwalkedoutoftheroom,feelingphysicallyill.