Ход королевы
Chapter 14
Heputupafightalongthetwomaindiagonalsandplayedthefour-knightsvariationwithasophisticationthatwas,forawhile,farbeyondherown.Butwhentheygotintothemiddlegame,shesawanopportunitytotradeherwayoutofthepositionandtookit.Shewoundupdoingathingshehadseldomdone:nursingapawnacrosstheboarduntilitarrivedattheseventhrank.ItwouldcostFlentohisonlyremainingpiecetoremoveit.Heresigned.Theapplausethistimewaslouderthaneverbefore.Itwastwo-thirty.Shehadmissedbreakfastandwasexhausted.Sheneededlunchandanap.Sheneededtorestbeforetheadjournmenttonight.
SheateafastlunchofspinachquicheandakindofSlavicpommesfritesintherestaurant.Butwhenshewentuptoherroomatthree-thirtyandgotintobed,shefoundsleepingoutofthequestion.Therewasanintermittenthammeringgoingonaboveherhead,asthoughworkmenwereinstallinganewcarpet.Shecouldheartheclumpingofboots,andeverynowandthenitsoundedasifsomeonehaddroppedabowlingballfromwaistlevel.Shelayinbedfortwentyminutes,butitwasnogood.
Bythetimeshefinishedsupperandarrivedattheplayinghallshewasmoretiredthansheeverrememberedbeing.Herheadachedandherbodywassorefrombeinghunchedoverachessboard.Shewishedferventlythatshecouldhavebeengivenashottoknockheroutfortheafternoon,thatshecouldfaceLuchenkowithafewsolidhoursofdreamlesssleepbehindher.ShewishedshehadriskedtakingaLibrium.Alittlefuzzinhermindwouldbebetterthanthis.
