Ход королевы

           Shegotupfromtheboard,wenttothedirectorandaskedhimforaspirin.Hefoundsomesomewhere,andshetookthree,chasingthemwithwaterfromapapercup,beforeshewentbacktoFoster.Asshewalkedthroughthemaintournamentroompeoplelookedupfromtheirgamestostareather.Shewassuddenlyangrythatshehadagreedtoplayinthisthird-ratetournament,andangrythatshehadtogobackandcontendwithFoster.Shehatedthesituation:ifshebeathim,itwasmeaninglesstoher,andifhebeather,shewouldlookterrible.Buthewouldn’tbeather.BennyWattscouldn’tbeather,andsomeprissygraduatestudentfromLouisvillewasn’tabouttodriveherintoacorner.Shewouldfindacombinationsomewhereandtearhimapartwithit.

           Buttherewasnocombinationtobefound.Shekeptstaringatthepositionasitchangedgraduallyfrommovetomove,anditdidnotopenupforher.Fosterwasgood—clearlybetterthanhisratingshowed—buthewasn’tthatgood.Thepeoplewhofilledthelittleroomwatchedinsilenceasshewentmoreandmoreonthedefensive,tryingtokeepherfacefromshowingthealarmthatwasbeginningtodominatehermoves.Andwhatwaswrongwithhermind?Shehadn’thadadrinkforadayandtwonights.Whatwaswrong?Inthepitofherstomachshewasbeginningtofeelterrified.