Ход королевы
Chapter 13
Shewalkedconfidentlydownthestreettoherhotelinbrightsunshine.ShewouldbegoingtoRussiainsixmonths.ChristianCrusadehadagreedtobuyticketsonAeroflotforherandBennyandawomanfromtheUSCFandwouldpaytheirhotelbills.TheMoscowtournamentwouldprovidethemeals.Shehadbeenstudyingchessforsixhoursaday,andshecouldkeepitup.Shestoppedtobuymoreflowers—carnationsthistime.Thewomanatthedeskhadaskedforherautographlastnightwhenshecameinfromdinner;shewouldbegladtogetheranothervase.BeforeleavingforCalifornia,BethhadmailedoffchecksforsubscriptionstoallthemagazinesBennytook.ShewouldbegettingDeutscheSchachzeitung,theoldestchessmagazine,andBritishChessMagazineand,fromRussia,ShakhmatnivUSSR.TherewouldbeÉchecsEuropeandAmericanChessBulletin.Sheplannedtoplaythrougheverygrandmastergameinthem,andwhenshefoundgamesthatwereimportantshewouldmemorizethemandanalyzeeverymovethathadconsequenceordevelopedanyideathatshewasnotfamiliarwith.InearlyspringshemightgotoNewYorkandplaytheU.S.OpenandgetinafewweekswithBenny.Theflowersinherhandglowedcrimson,hernewjeansandcottonsweaterfeltfreshonherskininthecoolSanFranciscoair,atthebottomofthestreettheblueoceanlaylikeadreamofpossibility.Hersoulsangsilentlywithit,reachingouttowardthePacific.
