Ход королевы

           Exceptforagroupofoldermeninarmyofficers’uniformsandtwoauthoritative-lookingmeninthree-piecesuits,therewasnooneelseintherestaurant.Afteramomentanotheryoungwaitercamebywithapitcherofwhatlookedlikewateronasilvertray,andalittleshotglassbesideit.Hesmiledatherpleasantly.“Vodka?”

           Sheshookherheadquickly.“Nyet”andpouredherselfaglassofwaterfromthecut-glasspitcherinthecenterofthetable.

           Herafternoonwasfree,andshecouldtakeatourofSverdlovSquareandtheBelyGorodandthemuseumatSt.Basil’s,buteventhoughitwasabeautifulsummerday,shedidn’tfeellikeit.Maybeinadayortwo.Shewastired,andsheneededanap.ShehadwonherfirstgamewithaRussiangrandmaster,andthatwasmoreimportanttoherthananythingshemightseeoutsideinthehugecitythatsurroundedher.Shewouldbehereeightdays.ShecouldseeMoscowanothertime.Itwastwointheafternoonwhenshefinishedlunch.Shewouldtaketheelevatoruptoherroomandtryforanap.

           ShefoundshewastoohighfrombeatingLaevtosleep.Shelayonthehugesoftbedstaringattheceilingfornearlyanhourandplayedthegamewithhimoverandover,sometimeslookingforweaknessinthewayshehadplayedit,sometimesluxuriatingoveroneoranotherofhermoves.Whenshecametotheplacewhereshehadofferedhimherbishopshewouldsayzap!aloud,orpow!Itwaswonderful.Shehadmadenomistakes—orcouldfindnone.Therewerenoweaknesses.