Ход королевы

           Whenshewonthestatechampionshipforthesecondtimetwoyearsbefore,ithadbeensimple.AfterherselfandmaybeHarry,thereweren’tanyreallystrongplayersinKentucky.GoldmannandSizemorewerenoproblem.

           WhenthephonerangagainshetoldEdSpencershe’dbethereatnine-thirty.Ahalf-hourwouldbeplentyoftimeforpictures.

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           InthebackofhermindshehadhopedTownesmightshowupwithacamera,buttherewasnosignofhim.ThemanfromLouisvillewasn’tthereeither.SheposedatBoardOneforawomanphotographerfromtheHerald-Leader,didathree-minuteinterviewwithamanfromalocaltelevisionstation,andexcusedherselftogooutforawalkaroundtheblockbeforethetournamentbegan.Shehadmanagedtogetthroughthedaybeforewithoutdrinkingandhadsleptsoundlyenoughwiththehelpofthreegreenpills,butherstomachfeltqueasy.Itwasstillmorningbutthesunwastoobright;shefoundherselfbeginningtosweatafteroneturnaroundtheblock.Herfeethurt.Eighteenyearsold,andshefeltlikeforty.Shewouldhavetostopdrinking.HerfirstopponentwassomebodynamedFosterwitharatinginthe1800s.ShewouldbeplayingBlack,butitshouldbeeasy—especiallyifhetriedpawntokingfourandlethergetintotheSicilian.

           Fosterseemedcalmenough,consideringthathewasplayingtheU.S.Championinhisfirstround.Hehadthegoodsensenottoopenwiththekingpawnagainsther.Heplayedpawntoqueenfour,andshedecidedtoavoidtheQueen’sGambitandtrytoleadhimintounfamiliarterritorywiththeDutchDefense.