Ход королевы
Chapter 4
HerhandfeltlargeandmoistinBeth’s.“I’mBethHarmon,”shesaid.“Idon’tunderstandaboutchessclocks.”
Annetteseemedrelievedtohavesomethingtoexplain.“Theclockfacenearestyoumeasuresyourplayingtime.Eachplayerhasninetyminutes.Afteryoumove,youpressthebuttonontop,anditstopsyourclockandstartsyouropponent’s.Therearelittleredflagsoverthenumbertwelveoneachclockface;yourswillfalldownwhentheninetyminutesareup.Ifitdoesthat,you’velost.”Bethnodded.Itseemedlikealotoftimetoher;shehadneverputmorethantwentyminutesintoachessgame.Therewasaruledsheetofpaperbyeachplayer,forrecordingmoves.
“Youcanstartmyclocknow,”Annettesaid.
“Whydotheyputallthegirlstogether?”Bethsaid.
Annetteraisedhereyebrows.“They’renotsupposedto.Butifyouwin,theymoveyouup.”
BethreachedoutandpresseddownthebuttonandAnnette’sclockbeganticking.Annettetookherking’spawnsomewhatnervouslyandmovedittokingfour.“Oh,”shesaid,“it’stouchmove,youknow.”
“What’sthat?”
“Don’ttouchapieceunlessyou’regoingtomoveit.Ifyoutouchit,youhavetomoveitsomewhere.”
“Okay,”Bethsaid.“Don’tyoupushyourbuttonnow?”
“Sorry,”Annettesaidandpressedherbutton.Beth’sclockstartedticking.Shereachedoutfirmlyandmovedherqueenbishop’spawntoitsfourthsquare.TheSicilianDefense.Shepressedthebuttonandthenputherelbowsonthetable,oneachsideoftheboard,liketheRussiansinthephotographs.
