She had been lost in the game, her mind racing. Oh, she hadn't come up with any sort of answer to her problems, but her mood was at least calmer than it had been before. She didn't need to worry about the girls as they were with Anatoly and she could just... think. No arms tugging on her skirt for water or having a question or anything else. It was her and a chess board. As it had been all those years ago before Anatoly had walked into her life. It was strange how refreshing it was. Oh, she would love an actual opponent, but it was nice to know that she still could find pleasure in the mere motions of the game. That, even with the history the game held for her, she could still enjoy the game for the game.
Of course, she hadn't expected to have anyone come up to her and at first she'd felt herself thrown back to that fateful day in 1968 when Anatoly, still a man, albeit awkward, had shown up, blocking the sun and inquiring why she was playing a game by herself. Asking if she wanted company before confessing he didn't know how to play. Looking up, the blond half expected to see her husband there with their daughters, but this man was not her husband. He held himself with confidence.
She should say no. She knew this. But really, there was nothing wrong with playing a game of chess with a stranger. She wasn't about to talk about what was on her mind over a chess board. Only one person got that privilege and it wasn't like he even cared these days. So to simply play a game of chess for the sake of playing chess? It would be refreshing. So giving a small smile, the blond shook her head slightly.
"I wouldn't mind." Looking back to the board, Svetlana reset the game, unaware of the risk she was putting herself in.