Ход королевы
Chapter 14
SeeingBorgovintheparlorofhissuite,planninghisnextmovewiththehelpofTalandPetrosian,shefeltthesamethingshehadfeltthen.Shefeltinconsequential—achildpeeringintotheadultworld.Whowasshetopresume?Sheneededhelp.Shehurriedpasttheroomandtotheelevator,feelingawkwardandterriblyalone.
***
Thecrowdwaitingbythesidedoorhadgottenbigger.Whenshesteppedoutofthelimousineinthemorningtheybeganshouting,“Harmon!Harmon!”inunisonandwavingandsmiling.Afewreachedouttotouchherasshewentby,andshepushedpastthemnervously,tryingtosmileback.Shehadsleptonlyfitfullythenightbefore,gettingupfromtimetotimetostudythepositionofheradjournedgamewithLuchenkoortopacearoundtheroombarefoot,thinkingofBorgovandtheothertwo,necktiesloosenedandinshirtsleeves,studyingtheboardasthoughtheywereRoosevelt,ChurchillandStalinwithachartofthefinalcampaignofWorldWarII.Nomatterhowoftenshetoldherselfshewasasgoodasanyofthem,shefeltwithdismaythatthosemenwiththeirheavyblackshoesknewsomethingshedidnotknowandneverwouldknow.Shetriedtoconcentrateonherowncareer,herquickrisetothetopofAmericanchessandbeyondit,thewayshehadbecomeamorepowerfulplayerthanBennyWatts,thewayshehadbeatenLaevwithoutamomentofdoubtinhermoves,thewaythat,evenasachild,shehadfoundanerrorintheplayofthegreatMorphy.
