Ход королевы

           Whenshecameacrossthestagetoanauditoriummorecrowdedthanshebelievedpossible,witheveryinchoftheaislesfilledandstandeespackedbehindthebackrowofseats,andahushfellovertheenormouscrowdofpeopleandshelookedovertoseeBorgov,alreadyseated,waitingforher,sherealizedthatitwasn’tonlyhisremorselesschessthatshehadtocontendwith.Shewasterrifiedoftheman.ShehadbeenterrifiedofhimeversinceshesawhimatthegorillacageinMexicoCity.Hewasmerelylookingdownattheuntouchedblackpiecesnow,butherheartandbreathstoppedatthesightofhim.Therewasnosignofweaknessinthatfigure,motionlessattheboard,obliviousofherorofthethousandsofotherpeoplewhomustbestaringathim.Hewaslikesomemenacingicon.Hecouldhavebeenpaintedonthewallofacave.Shewalkedslowlyoverandsatatthewhites.Asoft,hushedapplausebrokeoutintheaudience.

           Therefereepressedthebutton,andBethheardherclockbeginticking.Shemovedpawntoqueenfour,lookingdownatthepieces.Shewasnotreadytolookathisface.Alongthestagetheotherthreegameshadstarted.Sheheardthemovementsofplayersbehindhersettlinginforthemorning’swork,theclickofclockbuttonsbeingpushed.Theneverythingwassilent.Watchingtheboard,shesawonlythebackofhishand,itsstubbyfingerswiththeircoarse,blackhairabovetheknuckles,ashemovedhispawntoqueenfour.Sheplayedpawntoqueenbishopfour,offeringthegambitpawn.Thehanddeclinedit,movingpawntokingfour.TheAlbinCounterGambit.