Ход королевы

           TotherightofeachpositionforBlacksatanoversized,wooden-casedchessclock,andtoWhite’sright,alargepitcherofwaterandtwoglasses.Thehigh-backedswivelchairsweresetupsotheplayerswouldbevisibleinprofilefromtheaudience.Behindeachofthemstoodamalerefereeinawhiteshirtandblackbowtie,andbehindeachrefereewasadisplayboardwiththepiecesintheiropeningposition.Thelightingwasbrightbutindirect,comingfromaluminousceilingabovetheplayingarea.

           ThedirectorsmiledatBeth,tookherbythehandandledherouttothecenterofthestage.Therewasnosoundatallintheauditorium.Thedirectorspokeintoanold-fashionedmicrophoneonastandatcenterstage.AlthoughhewasspeakinginRussian,Bethunderstoodthewords“chess”and“theUnitedStates”andfinallyhername:ElizabethHarmon.Theapplausewassudden,warmandthunderous;shefeltitasaphysicalthing.Thedirectorescortedhertothechairatthefarendandseatedherattheblackpieces.Shewatchedashebroughtouteachoftheotherforeignplayersforashortintroductionandapplause.ThencametheRussians,beginningwithLaev.Theapplausebecamedeafening,andwhenhegottothelastofthem,VasilyBorgov,itwentonandon.

           HeropponentforthefirstgamewasLaev.HewasseatedacrossfromherduringtheovationforBorgov,andsheglancedathimwhileitwasgoingon.Laevwasinhistwenties.Therewasatightsmileonhisleanandyouthfulface,hisbrowwasheavywithannoyanceandwiththefingersofoneslimhandhewasdrumminginaudiblyonthetable.