Ход королевы

           Whenshepickeduptheknightthesenseofitspowerinherfingertipswasexquisite.ShedidnotlookatBorgov.

           Whenshesettheknightdown,therewascompletesilence.Afteramomentsheheardaletting-outofbreathfromacrossthetableandlookedup.Borgov’shairwasrumpledandtherewasagrimsmileonhisface.HespokeinEnglish.“It’syourgame.”Hepushedbackhischair,stoodup,andthenreacheddownandpickeduphisking.Insteadofsettingitonitssidehehelditacrosstheboardtoher.Shestaredatit.“Takeit,”hesaid.

           Theapplausebegan.Shetooktheblackkinginherhandandturnedtofacetheauditorium,lettingthewholemassiveweightoftheovationwashoverher.Peopleintheaudiencewerestanding,applaudinglouderandlouder.Shereceiveditwithherwholebody,feelinghercheeksreddenwithitandthengohotandwetasthethunderoussoundwashedawaythought.

           AndthenVasilyBorgovwasstandingbesideher,andamomentlatertohercompleteastonishmenthehadhisarmsspreadandthenwasembracingher,hugginghertohimwarmly.

           ***

           Duringthepartyattheembassy,awaitercamebywithatrayofchampagne.Sheshookherhead.Everyoneelsewasdrinkingandsometimestoastingher.Duringthefiveminutestheambassadorhimselfhadbeenthere,heofferedherchampagneandshetookclubsoda.Sheatesomeblackbreadwithcaviarandansweredquestions.TherewereoveradozenreportersandseveralRussians.Luchenkowasthere,lookingbeautifulagain,butshewasdisappointedBorgovhadn’tcome.

           Itwasstillmidafternoon,andshehadnothadlunch.