Ход королевы

           WhenLuchenkocameintotheparlorroomwheretheadjournmentwastobeplayed,helookedcalmandrested.Hissuit,adarkworstedthistime,wasimpeccablypressedandfithimbeautifullyacrosstheshoulders.Itoccurredtoherthathemustbuyallhisclothesabroad.Hesmiledatherwithrestrainedpoliteness;shemanagedtonodandsay,“Goodevening.”

           Thereweretwotablessetupforadjournedgames.Aclassicrookpawnendingwasinplaceononeofthem,waitingforBorgovandDuhamel.HerpositionwithLuchenkohadbeenlaidoutontheother.Asshesatdownatherendofit,BorgovandDuhamelcameintogetherandwalkedtotheboardattheothersideoftheroomingrimsilence.Therewasarefereeforeachgame,andtheclockswerealreadysetup.Bethhadherninetyminutesofovertime,andLuchenkohadthesame,alongwithanextrathirty-fiveminutesleftfromyesterday.Shehadforgottenabouthisextratime.Thatputthreethingsagainsther:hishavingthewhitepieces,hisstillunstoppedattack,andhisextraallotmentoftime.

           Theirrefereebroughtovertheenvelope,openedit,showedthescoresheettobothplayersandmadeBeth’smovehimself.HepressedthebuttonthatstartedLuchenko’sclock,andwithouthesitationLuchenkoadvancedthepawnthatBethhadexpected.Therewasacertainreliefinseeinghimmakethemove.Shehadbeenforcedtoconsiderseveralotherreplies;nowthelinesfromthemcouldbedroppedfromhermind.AcrosstheroomsheheardBorgovcoughloudlyandblowhisnose.ShetriedtoputBorgovoutofhermind.