Chess Story is a psychological thriller written by Stefan Zweig. The story follows the protagonist, Czentovic, a world champion chess player who is invited to play a game on a cruise ship. On board, he meets Dr. B, a mysterious man who claims to have never played chess before. Despite this, Dr. B manages to defeat Czentovic in their first game.
As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Dr. B is a former prisoner of war who learned to play chess by watching the guards play. He becomes obsessed with the game and eventually becomes a master player. However, his time in captivity has left him with psychological scars, and he struggles to cope with the pressures of playing against Czentovic.
The tension between the two players escalates as they continue to face off in a series of intense matches. The story explores themes of isolation, obsession, and the power of the mind. In the end, the true winner of the game is left up to interpretation, as both players are left questioning their own sanity.