♟️ A Game of Chess and Other Stories – Summary

🧠 Introduction to A Game of Chess and Other Stories

A Game of Chess and Other Stories is a masterful collection by Stefan Zweig that dives into the psychological depths of human experience. The title story, also known as The Royal Game, leads the collection with a powerful narrative about survival, memory, and the impact of isolation. Each story in the volume showcases Zweig’s signature style—introspective, emotional, and tightly constructed.

🚢 Plot Overview of A Game of Chess and Other Stories

The main story takes place aboard a cruise ship. Among the passengers is the world chess champion, Mirko Czentovic—aloof, arrogant, and unapproachable. When a group of travelers challenges him to a casual match, they’re quickly overwhelmed. However, one quiet individual, Dr. B., surprises everyone by drawing against the champion.

Curious about his skills, the group learns that Dr. B. learned to play chess while in solitary confinement during World War II. With only a chess book and his mind, he practiced obsessively to maintain his sanity. This intense mental activity became both his escape and his torment. The game becomes a metaphor for internal struggle—logic versus emotion, memory versus madness.

The rest of the collection contains equally powerful stories that explore emotional dilemmas, personal sacrifice, and the complexity of human decision-making. Zweig’s characters—people from all backgrounds—face critical turning points that reveal the quiet drama of inner life.

🔍 Core Themes in A Game of Chess and Other Stories

Zweig explores obsession, trauma, and the fragile boundaries of the mind. Whether through isolation or confrontation, his characters confront parts of themselves they would rather ignore. These stories prove that true tension often comes not from action, but from thought.

Language: English
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 9781847495815
ISBN-13: 9781847495815
Genre: New Arrivals
Condition: New

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