Chess StoryChess Story, also known as The Royal Game, is the Austrian master Stefan Zweig's final achievement, completed in Brazilian exile and sent off to his American publisher only days before his suicide in 1942. It is the only story in which Zweig looks at Nazism, and he does so with characteristic emphasis on the psychological. Travelers by ship from New York to Buenos Aires find that on board with them is the world champion of chess, an arrogant and unfriendly man. They come together to try their skills against him and are soundly defeated. Then a mysterious passenger steps forward to advise them and their fortunes change. How he came to possess his extraordinary grasp of the game of chess and at what cost lie at the heart of Zweig's story. This new translation of Chess Story brings out the work's unusual mixture of high suspense and poignant reflection. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
able actually ALBERTO MORAVIA already appear asked became become began beginning cell chair chess Chess Story chessboard completely considered course Czentovic Czentovic's deck entire everything evidence excitement eyes face fact feeling finally fingers force four front gaze give given glance glass guard hand happened head heard hope hour immediately intellectual interest interrogation keep kind king knew later learned least live looked lost master McConnor ment mind minutes Mirko months move never night once pawn perhaps person physically pieces play players positions pushed question remained seemed sense single smiled someone soon square story strange suddenly surprise taken tell thing thought tion told took tried turned unable understand voice waiting walked wanted window world champion write Zweig