Ход королевы

           Hecouldmovehisking,insteadoftakingthebishop.Hecouldinterpose—

           Suddenlysheheardhisvoicefromacrossthetablesayingtheastonishingword“Draw.”Itwaslikeastatementandnotaquestion.Hewasofferingheradraw.Sheopenedhereyesandlookedathisface.Borgovneveroffereddraws,buthewasofferingherone.Shecouldacceptitandthetournamentwouldbeover.Theywouldstanduptobeapplaudedandshewouldleavethestageinatiewiththechampionoftheworld.Somethingwentslackinsideher,andsheheardherownsilentvoicesaying,Takeit!

           Shelookedbackattheboard—attherealboardthatsatbetweenthem,andsawtheendgamethatwasabouttoemergewhenthedustsettled.Borgovwasdeathonendgames;hewasfamousforit.Shehadalwayshatedthem—hatedevenreadingReubenFine’sbookonendgames.Sheshouldacceptthedraw.Peoplewouldcallitasolidachievement.

           Adraw,however,wasnotawin.Andtheonethinginherlifethatshewassureshelovedwasawin.ShelookedatBorgov’sfaceagainandsawwithmildsurprisethathewastired.Sheshookherhead.No.

           Heshruggedandtookthebishop.Forabriefmomentshefeltlikeafool,butsheshookitoffandattackedhisqueenwithherknightleavingherownenprise.Hemovedhisqueenwherehehadtoandshebroughttheknightupforthefork.Hemovedthekingandsheliftedhisheavyqueenfromtheboard.Hetookhers.Sheattackedtherookandhemoveditbackbyasquare.