Ход королевы

           Shebeganattackingontheeighthmove.OnthetenthshehadoneofAnnette’sbishops,andontheseventeenthherqueen.Annettehadnotevencastledyet.ShereachedoutandlaidherkingonitssidewhenBethtookherqueen.“Thatwasquick,”shesaid.Shesoundedrelievedtohavelost.Bethlookedattheclockfaces.Annettehadusedthirtyminutes,andBethseven.WaitingforAnnettetomovehadbeentheonlyproblem.

           Thenextroundwouldnotbeuntileleven.BethhadrecordedthegamewithAnnetteonherscoresheet,circledherownnameatthetopaswinner;shewentnowtothefrontdeskandputthesheetintothebasketwiththesignreadingWINNERS.Itwasthefirstonethere.Ayoungmanwholookedlikeacollegestudentcameupasshewaswalkingawayandputhissheetin.Bethhadalreadynoticedthatmostofthepeoplehereweren’tgood-looking.Alotofthemhadgreasyhairandbadcomplexion;somewerefatandnervous-looking.Butthisonewastallandangularandrelaxed,andhisfacewasopenandhandsome.HenoddedamiablyatBeth,acknowledgingherasanotherfastplayer,andshenoddedback.

           Shebeganwalkingaroundtheroom,quietly,lookingatsomeofthegamesbeingplayed.Anothercouplefinishedtheirs,andthewinnerwentupfronttoturnintherecord.Shedidnotseeanypositionsthatlookedinteresting.OnBoardNumberSeven,nearthefrontoftheroom,Blackhadachancetowinarookbyatwo-movecombination,andshewaitedforhimtomovethenecessarybishop.Butwhenthetimecamehesimplyexchangedpawnsinthecenter.Hehadnotseenthecombination.