Ход королевы

           Bethwaswearingadark-greencottondresswithwhitepipingatthethroatandsleeves.Shehadsleptsoundlythenightbefore.Shewasreadyforhim.

           Butonthetwelfthmovehebegantoattack—verysubtlyatfirst,withpawntoqueenrookthree.Ahalf-hourlaterhewasmountingapawnstormdownthequeenside,andshehadtodelaywhatshewaspreparingtodealwithit.Shestudiedtheboardforalongtimebeforebringingaknightovertodefend.Shewasn’thappyaboutdoingit,butithadtobedone.ShelookedacrosstheboardatLuchenko.Hegavealittleshakeofhishead—atheatricalshake—andatinysmileappearedonhislips.Thenhereachedoutandcontinuedtheadvanceofhisknight’spawnasifheedlessofwhereshenowhadherknight.Whatwashedoing?Shestudiedthepositionagainandthen,shocked,shesawit.Ifshedidn’tfindawayout,shewouldhavetotaketherookpawnwithherknight,andfourmovesdownfromthathewouldbeabletobringhisinnocent-lookingbishopfromthebackrankouttoknightfive,thereonherfracturedqueenside,andpickoffherqueenrookinexchangeforit.Itwassevenmovesaway,andshehadn’tseenit.

           Sheleanedherelbowsonthetableandrestedhercheeksagainstclenchedfists.Shehadtoworkthisout.SheputLuchenkoandthecrowdedauditoriumandthetickingofherclockandeverythingelseoutofhermindandstudied,goingthroughdozensofcontinuationscarefully.Buttherewasnothing.Thebestshecoulddowasgiveuptheexchangeandgethisrookpawnasconsolation.Andhewouldstillhavehisqueensideattackgoing.