This is now one of my favorite of Stefan Zweig's stories. It's set on a transatlantic ocean liner. A couple of passengers, the narrator and a competitive Scottish businessman (who is also a chess aficionado), while away the time with a game of chess. After the narrator loses, he good naturedly tells the businessman that Czentovic, the top chess grand master is on board ship. Unable to resist a good game, the businessman organizes a match between Czentovic and all the other passengers. A mysterious stranger shows up who seems to be a chess genius, giving the passengers' side a realistic chance of winning. We learn Czentovic's life story, as well as that of the mysterious stranger, who are just about as opposite to one another as it is possible to be, and the chess game becomes something of a duel between the two men and all each stands for.
This was one of Zweig's last stories, and it was published posthumously, after he and his wife committed suicide in Brazil. One can't help but regret how deep his despair must have been, and how much additional good work he could have done if he hadn't succumbed to it.
This was one of Zweig's last stories, and it was published posthumously, after he and his wife committed suicide in Brazil. One can't help but regret how deep his despair must have been, and how much additional good work he could have done if he hadn't succumbed to it.
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