Summary

In “Chapter 8,” Beth flew down to Mexico with Mrs. Wheatley. Mrs. Wheatley was excited about the trip because she had a pen pal from high school, Manuel, who was meeting them at the airport. Beth was jealous and resentful when they arrived in the foreign country and Mrs. Wheatley started spending all her days and nights with Manuel. When Manuel disappeared and said he would not be back, Beth was secretly happy. She went to the tournament and played a young prodigy, Girev, who frightened her with his clarity and speed. She advanced to the final round, however, and found herself playing against Vasily Borgov, World Champion of chess. She was so intimidated that she could not play well. She ended up resigning and walked away without saying a word.

In “Chapter 9,” Beth went back to her room and discovered that Mrs. Wheatley...