Ход королевы

           Shewouldbeplayinghimtomorrow,butitwastimenowtogettoworkonthisgame,toputeverythingshehadintoit.BorgovwouldalmostcertainlybeatDuhamelandbegintomorrowundefeated.Ifshewantedtowinthistournamentshehadtorescuethegameinfrontofher.Luchenkowasaheadbytheexchange,andthatwasbad.Buthehadthatineffectiverooktocontendwith,andafterseveralhoursofstudyshehadfoundthreewaysofusingitagainsthim.Ifshecouldbringitoff,shecouldexchangeabishopforitandeventhescore.

           Sheforgotabouthowtiredshewasandwenttowork.Itwasuphillandintricate.AndLuchenkohadthatextratime.Shedecidedonaplandevelopedinthemiddleofthenightandbeganretreatingherqueensideknight,takingitonavirtualknight’stourtogetituptokingfive.Clearlyhewasreadyforthat—hadanalyzedithimselfsometimesinceyesterdaymorning.Probablywithassistance.Buttherewassomethinghemightnothaveanalyzed,goodashewas,andthathemightnotseenow.Shepulledherbishopawayfromthediagonalhisrookwasonandhopedhewouldn’tseewhatshewasplanning.Itwouldappearthatshewasattackinghispawnformation,forcinghimtomakeanunstableadvance.Butshewasn’tconcernedwithhispawnposition.Shewantedthatrookofftheboardbadlyenoughtokillforit.

           Luchenkomerelypushedupthepawn.Hecouldhavethoughtlongeraboutit—shouldhavethoughtlonger—buthedidn’t.Hemovedthepawn.Bethfeltatinythrill.