Ход королевы
Chapter 2
SheturnedtoMr.Ganz.“DoIstartnow?”sheasked.
“WithBoardNumberOne.”
“AndthenIgotothenextone?”
“That’sright,”hesaid.Sherealizedthathehadn’tevenintroducedhertotheclass.Shesteppedovertothefirstboard,theonewithCharlesLevysittingbehindtheblackpieces.Shereachedout,pickeduptheking’spawnandmovedittothefourthrank.
Thesurprisingthingwashowbadlytheyplayed.Allofthem.Intheveryfirstgamesofherlifeshehadunderstoodmorethantheydid.Theyleftbackwardpawnsallovertheplace,andtheirpieceswerewideopenforforks.Afewofthemtriedcrudematingattacks.Shebrushedthoseasidelikeflies.Shemovedbrisklyfromboardtoboard,herstomachcalmandherhandsteady.Ateachboardittookonlyasecond’sglancetoreadthepositionandseewhatwascalledfor.Herresponseswerequick,sureanddeadly.CharlesLevywassupposedtobethebestofthem;shehadhispiecestiedupbeyondhelpinadozenmoves;insixmoreshematedhimonthebackrankwithaknight-rookcombination.
Hermindwasluminous,andhersoulsangtoherinthesweetmovesofchess.Theclassroomsmelledofchalkdustandhershoessqueakedasshemoveddowntherowsofplayers.Theroomwassilent;shefeltherownpresencecenteredinit,smallandsolidandincommand.Outside,birdssang,butshedidnothearthem.Inside,someofthestudentsstaredather.
