Ход королевы

           Theworkshehaddoneoverthepastsixmonthsgaveasoliditytoheropeningmovesthatshewasabletomaintainthroughthemiddlegameandontothepointatwhicheachofthemresigned.Hellströmclearlytookithardanddidnotspeaktoherafterward,butShapkinwasaverycivilized,verydecentman,andheresignedgracefullyeventhoughherwinoverhimwasdecisiveandmerciless.

           Therewouldbesevengamesinall.Theplayershadbeengivenschedulesduringthelongorientationspeechonthefirstday;Bethkepthersinthenightstandbythebed,inthedrawerwithherbottleofgreenpills.OnthelastdayshewouldbeplayingthewhitesagainstBorgov.TodayitwasLuchenko,withblack.

           Luchenkowastheoldestplayerthere;hehadbeenWorldChampionbeforeBethwasborn,andplayedanddefeatedthegreatAlekhineinanexhibitionwhenhewasaboy,haddrawnwithBotvinnikandcrushedBronsteininHavana.Hewasnolongerthetigerhehadoncebeen,butBethknewhimtobeadangerousplayerwhenallowedtoattack.ShehadgonethroughdozensofhisgamesfromChessInformant,someofthemduringthemonthwithBennyinNewYork,andthepowerofhisattackhadbeenshocking,eventoher.Hewasaformidableplayerandaformidableman.Shewouldhavetobeverycareful.

           Theywereatthefirsttable—theoneBorgovhadplayedatthedaybefore.Luchenkomadeashortbow,standingbyhischairwhileshetookherseat.Hissuittodaywasasilkygray,andwhenhewalkeduptothetableshehadnoticedhisshoes—shinyblackandsoft-looking,probablyimportedfromItaly.