Ход королевы

           AwomancalledfromNewYork,wantingherontheTonightShow.Sherefused.

           Itwasn’tuntilherthirdweekofdrinkingthatshewentthroughthepileofmagazinesthathadcomewhileshewasinNewYorkandfoundtheNewsweekwithherpictureinit.Theyhadgivenherafullpageunder“Sport.”ThepictureshowedherplayingBenny,andsherememberedthemomentitwastaken,duringthegame’sopening.Thepositionofthepiecesonthedisplayboardwasvisibleinthephotograph,andshesawthathermemorywasright,shehadjustmadeherfourthmove.Bennylookedthoughtfulanddistant,asusual.ThepiecesaidshewasthemosttalentedwomansinceVeraMenchik.Beth,readingithalf-drunk,wasannoyedatthespacegiventoMenchik,goingonaboutherdeathina1944bombinginLondonbeforepointingoutthatBethwasthebetterplayer.Andwhatdidbeingwomenhavetodowithit?ShewasbetterthananymaleplayerinAmerica.SherememberedtheLifeinterviewerandthequestionsaboutherbeingawomaninaman’sworld.Tohellwithher;itwouldn’tbeaman’sworldwhenshefinishedwithit.Itwasnoontime,andsheputapanofcannedspaghettiontoheatbeforereadingtherestofthearticle.Thelastparagraphwasthestrongest.

           Ateighteen,BethHarmonhasestablishedherselfasthequeenofAmericanchess.ShemaybethemostgiftedplayersinceMorphyorCapablanca;nooneknowsjusthowgiftedsheis—howgreatapotentialsheholdsinthatyounggirl’sbodywithitsdazzlingbrain.