Ход королевы
Chapter 14
“Excellent!”hesaid,inEnglish.“Abeautifulrecovery!”
Hiswordsweresoconciliatorythatshewasastonished.Shewasunsurewhattosay.
“Excellent!”hesaidagain.Hereacheddownandpickeduphisking,helditthoughtfullyforamomentandsetitonitssideontheboard.Hesmiledwearily.“Iresignwithrelief.”
Hisnaturalnessandlackofrancormadehersuddenlyashamed.Sheheldoutherhandtohim,andheshookitwarmly.“I’veplayedgamesofyourseversinceIwasasmallgirl,”shesaid.“I’vealwaysadmiredyou.”
Helookedatherthoughtfullyforamoment.“Youarenineteen?”
“Yes.”
“Ihavegoneoveryourgamesatthistournament.”Hepaused.“Youareamarvel,mydear.Imayhavejustplayedthebestchessplayerofmylife.”
Shewasunabletospeak.Shestaredathimindisbelief.
Hesmiledather.“Youwillgetusedtoit,”hesaid.
ThegamebetweenBorgovandDuhamelhadfinishedsometimeearlier,andbothmenweregone.AfterLuchenkoleftshewentovertotheotherboardandlookedatthepieces,whichwerestillinposition.TheBlackswerehuddledaroundtheirkinginavainattempttoprotect,andtheWhiteartillerywascomingatitscornerfromallovertheboard.Theblackkinglayonitsside.BorgovhadbeenplayingWhite.
Backatthelobbyofthehotelamanjumpedupfromoneofthechairsalongthewallandcamesmilingtowardher.ItwasMr.Booth.“Congratulations!”hesaid.
“Whatbecameofyou?”sheasked.
Heshookhisheadapologetically.“Washington.”
Shestartedtosaysomethingbutletitpass.
