Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Beth studies Russian and spends a night with classmates, then stays behind drinking when they leave. After graduation, Alma gives her a bracelet before they travel to a tournament in Mexico City. Alma has another reason for making the journey: she plans to meet Manuel, a longtime pen pal. While Beth wants to study, Alma encourages her to get out and enjoy the city. Beth sees Borgov relaxing at the zoo with his family before returning to the work of preparing for her games.
Beth wins her early matches and reaches Georgi Girev, a young Soviet player whose ambition is to become world champion. Their game lasts long enough to be adjourned until the following day. Beth questions him about his life and his plans beyond chess, then resumes play and beats him. Girev warns that she has yet to face Borgov. Meanwhile, Alma's time with Manuel ends when he leaves, and she returns to the hotel without the companionship she had hoped the trip would provide.
When Beth finally sits opposite Borgov, her earlier victories offer little comfort. He outplays her, and she resigns before going upstairs to tell Alma what happened. Alma does not answer: Beth finds her dead in the hotel room. Arrangements for returning home now replace tournament preparations. Allston offers little support when contacted, leaving Beth to handle the immediate aftermath of losing the person who had accompanied her through her chess career.