Ход королевы

           Whentheapplausedieddown,thedirector,flushedwiththeexcitement,wenttothetablewhereBorgovwasplayingthewhitepiecesandsmartlypunchedtheclock.Thenhewalkedtothenexttableanddidthesamething,andtothenext.AtBeth’shesmiledimportantlyatthetwoofthemandcrisplypushedthebuttononBeth’sside,startingLaev’sclock.

           Laevsighedquietlyandmovedhiskingpawntothefourthrank.Bethwithouthesitationmovedherqueenbishoppawn,relievedtobejustplayingchess.Thepieceswerelargeandsolid;theystoodoutwithacomfortingclarityontheboard,eachofthemexactlycenteredinitshomesquare,eachsharplyoutlined,cleanlyturned,finelyburnished.Theboardhadamattefinishwithabrassinlayarounditsouterperimeter.Herchairwassubstantialandsoft,yetfirm;sheadjustedherselfinitnow,feelingitscomfort,andwatchedLaevplaytheking’sknighttobishopthree.Shepickedupherqueen’sknight,enjoyingtheheavinessofthepiece,andsetitonqueenbishopthree.Laevplayedpawntoqueenfour;shetookwithherpawn,settinghistotherightoftheclock.Thereferee,hisbacktothem,repeatedeachmoveonthebigboard.Therewasstillatightnessinhershoulders,butshebegantorelax.ItwasRussiaanditwasstrange,butitwasstillchess.

           SheknewLaev’sstylefromthebulletinsshehadbeenstudying,andshefeltcertainthatifsheplayedpawntokingfouronthesixthmove,hewouldfollowtheBoleslavskiVariationwithhisknighttobishopthreeandthencastleonthekingside.HehaddonethatagainstbothPetrosianandTal,in1965.