Ход королевы

           HisnamewasKaplanandhisratingwas1694.SheplayedBlack,usedtheNimzo-Indiandefense,andbeathiminthirty-fourmoves.Shemighthavedoneitquicker,buthewasskillfulatdefending—eventhoughwithWhiteaplayershouldbeontheattack.Bythetimeheresignedshehadhiskingexposedandabishopabouttobecaptured,andshehadtwopassedpawns.Helookeddazed.Someotherplayershadgatheredaroundtowatch.

           Itwasthree-thirtywhentheyfinished.Kaplanhadplayedwithmaddeningslowness,andBethhadgottenupfromthetableforseveralmoves,towalkoffherenergy.Bythetimeshebroughtthescoresheettothedeskwithhernamecircledonit,mostoftheothergameswereoverandthetournamentwasbreakingupforsupper.Therewouldbearoundateighto’clockthatevening,thenthreemoreonSaturday.ThefinalroundwouldbeonSundaymorningateleven.

           Bethwenttothegirls’roomandwashedherfaceandhands;itwassurprisinghowgrubbyherskinfeltafterthreegamesofchess.Shelookedatherselfinthemirror,undertheharshlights,andsawwhatshehadalwaysseen:therounduninterestingfaceandthecolorlesshair.Buttherewassomethingdifferent.Thecheekswereflushedwithcolornow,andhereyeslookedmorealivethanshehadeverseenthem.Foronceinherlifeshelikedwhatshesawinthemirror.

           Backoutsidebythefronttablethetwoyoungmenwhohadregisteredherwereputtingupanoticeonthebulletinboard.Someplayershadgatheredaroundit,thehandsomeoneamongthem.Shewalkedover.Theletteringontop,donewithaMagicMarker,readUNDEFEATED.