Chess Story
“Chess Story” by Stefan Zweig, published by New York Review of Books on December 9, 2005, is a compelling narrative that explores the psychological dimensions of its characters against the backdrop of historical events. This edition, written in English and spanning 104 pages, presents Zweig’s final work, completed shortly before his death in 1942. The story unfolds aboard a ship traveling from New York to Buenos Aires, where passengers encounter a world chess champion whose arrogance sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation.
Readers will find a rich exploration of themes such as psychological tension and the impact of Nazism, as the narrative delves into the mysterious past of a fellow passenger who challenges the champion. The interplay of high suspense and reflective moments creates a unique atmosphere, inviting readers to ponder the cost of mastery and the complexities of human experience. This translation of “Chess Story” captures the essence of Zweig’s literary style, making it a significant addition to the canon of psychological and historical fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
Chess 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.
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