Ход королевы

           Thereweretwophotographersandsheposedforpictureswiththem,andwhenoneofthemaskedifhecouldshootherinfrontofachesssetshetookthemuptoherroom,whereherboardwasstillsetupwiththepositionfromtheLuchenkogame.Thatalreadyseemedalongtimeago.Shesatattheboardforthem,notreallymindingit—welcomingit,infact—whiletheyshotrollsoffilmfromallovertheroom.Itwaslikeaparty.Whilethephotographersstudiedherandadjustedtheircamerasandswitchedlensesaround,thereportersaskedherquestions.Sheknewsheshouldbesettingupthepositionofheradjournedgameandconcentratingonittofindastrategyfortomorrow,butshewelcomedthisnoisydistraction.

           Borgovwouldbeinthatsuiteofhisnow,probablywithPetrosianandTal—andmaybewithLuchenkoandLaevandtherestoftheRussianestablishment.Theirexpensivecoatswouldbeoffandtheirsleevesrolledupandtheywouldbeexploringherposition,lookingforweaknessesalreadythereortenmovesdowntheline,probingatthearrangementofwhitepiecesasthoughitwereherbodyandtheyweresurgeonsreadytodissect.Therewassomethingobsceneintheimageofthemdoingit.Theywouldgoonwithitfarintothenight,eatingsupperovertheboardonthathugetableinBorgov’sparlor,preparinghimforthenextmorning.Butshelikedwhatshewasdoingrightnow.Shedidnotwanttothinkabouttheposition.Andsheknew,too,thatthepositionwasn’ttheproblem.Shecouldexhaustitspossibilitiesinafewgoodhoursafterdinner.TheproblemwasthewayshefeltaboutBorgov.