Ход королевы
Chapter 4
“HowdoIgetarating?”
“YouplaythirtygamesinUSCFtournamentsandthenwaitfourmonths.That’showyougetarating.”
“That’stoolong.”
Themanleanedtowardher.“Howoldareyou,Harmon?”
“Thirteen.”
“You’retheyoungestpersonintheroom.Youcanwaitforarating.”
Bethwasfurious.“IwanttoplayBeltik.”
Theothermanatthetablespokeup.“Ifyouwinyournextthreegames,honey.AndifBeltikdoesthesame.”
“I’llwinthem,”Bethsaid.
“No,youwon’t,Harmon,”thefirstyoungmansaid.“You’llhavetoplaySizemoreandGoldmannfirst,andyoucan’tbeatbothofthem.”
“SizemoreandGoldmannshit,”theothermansaid.“Theguyyou’replayingnowisunderrated.HeplaysfirstboardfortheuniversityteamandlastmonthhecameinfifthinLasVegas.Don’tlettheratingfoolyou.”
“What’sinLasVegas?”Bethasked.
“TheU.S.Open.”
***
BethwenttoBoardFour.Themanseatedbehindthewhitepieceswassmilingasshecameup.Itwasthetall,handsomeone.Bethfeltabitrattledtoseehim.Helookedlikesomekindofmoviestar.
“Hi,Harmon,”hesaid,holdingouthishand.“Itlookslikewe’vebeenstalkingeachother.”
Sheshookhisbighandawkwardlyandseatedherself.Therewasapauseforalongminutebeforehesaid,“Doyouwanttostartmyclock?”
“Sorry,”shesaid.Shereachedouttostartit,almostknockeditoverbutcaughtitintime.“Sorry,”shesaidagain,almostinaudibly.Shepressedthebuttonandhisclockstartedticking.Shelookeddownattheboard,hercheeksburning.
