Ход королевы
Chapter 4
“Therearethreeguysouttherewithratingsovereighteenhundred.Beltikmayshowup,andhe’sthestatechampion.They’lleatyoualive.”
Shetookaball-pointpenandbeganfillinginthecardwithhernameandaddress.Whereablanksaid“Rating”sheputalargezero.Shehandedthecardback.
Theystartedtwentyminuteslate.Ittookthemawhiletogetthepairingsposted.WhentheywereputtingthenamesontheboardBethaskedthemannexttoherifitwasdoneatrandom.“Notatall,”hesaid.“Theyarrangeitbyratingsonthefirstround.Afterthat,winnersplaywinners,andlosers,losers.”
Whenhercardwasfinallyputupitsaid“Harmon—Unr—Black.”Itwasputunderonethatsaid“Packer—Unr—White.”ThetwocardswerebythenumberTwenty-seven.Theyturnedouttobethelasttwo.
ShewalkedovertoBoardTwenty-sevenandseatedherselfattheblackpieces.Shewasatthelastboardonthefarthesttable.
Sittingnexttoherwasawomanofaboutthirty.Afteraminute,twomorewomencamewalkingover.Onewasabouttwenty,andtheotherwasBeth’sopponent—atall,heavyhighschoolgirl.Bethlookedovertheexpanseoftables,whereplayersweregettingsettledor,alreadyseated,werebeginninggames;allofthemweremale,mostlyyoung.Therewerefourfemaleplayersatthetournamentandtheywereallclumpedtogetheratthefarend,playingagainstoneanother.
Beth’sopponentsatdownwithsomeawkwardness,puthertwo-facedchessclockatthesideoftheboardandheldoutahand.“I’mAnnettePacker,”shesaid.
