Ход королевы

           Shefeltweightlessandtired,somehowdisembodied.Shehadneverlikedpartiesandeventhoughshewasthestarofthisone,shefeltoutofplace.Someofthepeoplefromtheembassylookedatherstrangely,asthoughshewereanoddity.Theykepttellingherthattheyweren’tcleverenoughtoplaychessorthattheyhadplayedchesswhentheywerekids.Shedidn’twanttohearanymoreofthat.Shewantedtodosomethingelse.Shewasn’tsurewhatitwas,butshewantedtobeawayfromthesepeople.

           ShepushedthroughthecrowdandthankedthewomanfromTexaswhowasactingashostess.ThenshetoldMr.Boothsheneededaridebacktothehotel.

           “I’llgetacaranddriver,”hesaid.

           Beforeleaving,shefoundLuchenkoagain.HewasstandingwiththeotherRussians,dressedimpeccablyandlookingatease.Sheheldoutherhand.“Itwasanhonortoplayyou,”shesaid.

           Hetookthehandandbowedslightly.Foramomentshethoughthemightkissit,buthedidnot.Hepressedherhandwithbothofhis.“Allthis,”hesaid.“It’snotlikechessatall.”

           Shesmiled.“That’sright.”

           ***

           TheembassywasonUlitsaTchaikovskogo,anditwasahalf-hourdrive,someofitthroughdensetraffic,toherhotel.ShehadseenalmostnothingofMoscow,andshewouldbeleavinginthemorning,butshedidnotfeellikelookingoutthewindows.Theyhadgivenherthetrophyandthemoneyafterthegame.Shehaddoneherinterviews,hadreceivedhercongratulations.Nowshefeltatlooseends,uncertainwheretogoorwhattodo.Maybeshecouldsleepforawhile,eataquietsupperandgotobedearly