Ход королевы
Chapter 1
Thistimeshemovedpawntoqueenfouronbothandfolloweditwithpawntoqueen’sbishopfour—theQueen’sGambit.Shefeltdeeplyrelaxed,almostinadream.Shehadtakenseventranquilizersataboutmidnight,andsomeofthelanguorwasstillinher.
AboutmidwayintothegamesshewasstaringoutthewindowatabushwithpinkbloomswhensheheardMr.Ganz’svoicesaying,“Beth,I’vemovedmybishoptobishopfive”andshereplieddreamily,“KnighttoK-5.”Thebushseemedtoglowinthespringsunlight.
“Bishoptoknightfour,”Mr.Ganzsaid.
“Queentoqueenfour,”Bethreplied,stillnotlooking.
“Knighttoqueen’sbishopthree,”Mr.Shaibelsaidgruffly.
“Bishoptoknightfive,”Bethsaid,hereyesonthepinkblossoms.
“Pawntoknightthree.”Mr.Ganzhadastrangesoftnessinhisvoice.
“Queentorookfourcheck,”Bethsaid.
SheheardMr.Ganzinhalesharply.Afterasecondhesaid,“Kingtobishopone.”
“That’smateinthree,”Bethsaid,withoutturning.“Firstcheckiswiththeknight.Thekinghasthetwodarksquares,andthebishopchecksit.Thentheknightmates.”
Mr.Ganzletouthisbreathslowly.“JesusChrist!”hesaid.
