Ход королевы

           Heplayedpawntokingfour,andsherepliedwiththeSicilian.HecontinuedwithbookmovesandshefollowedwiththeDragonvariation.Theytradedpawnsinthecenter.Graduallyshegothercomposureback,playingthesemechanicalmoves,andshelookedacrosstheboardathim.Hewasattentivetothepieces,scowling.Butevenwithascowlonhisfaceandhishairslightlymussedhewashandsome.SomethinginBeth’sstomachfeltstrangeasshelookedathim,withhisbroadshouldersandclearcomplexionandhisbrowwrinkledinconcentration.

           Hesurprisedherbybringinghisqueenout.Itwasaboldmove,andshestudieditforawhileandsawthattherewasn’tanyweaknesstoit.Shebroughtoutherownqueen.Hemovedaknighttothefifthrank,andBethmovedaknighttothefifthrank.Hecheckedwithabishop,andshedefendedwithapawn.Heretreatedthebishop.Shewasfeelinglightnow,andherfingerswiththepieceswerenimble.Bothplayersbeganmovingfastbuteasily.Shegaveanon-threateningchecktohisking,andhepulledawaydelicatelyandbeganadvancingpawns.Shestoppedthathandilywithapinandthenfeintedonthequeensidewitharook.Hewasundeceivedbythefeintand,smiling,removedherpin,andonhisnextmovecontinuedthepawnadvances.Sheretreated,hidingherkinginaqueensidecastle.Shefeltsomehowspaciousandamused,yetherfaceremainedserious.Theycontinuedtheirdance.

           Itmadehersadinawaywhensheeventuallysawhowtobeathim.