Book Review - Chess Story by Stefan Zweig
A masterful exploration of what draws minds to games and strategy.
Chess, or The Chess Story, seems a perfect introduction to Zweig's writing. The plot is essentially an encounter on a cruise bound for Buenos Aires, featuring a vain chessmaster called Czentovic, two young men keen to challenge him and the ingenious but anxious stranger named Dr B who helps them do this. However, the brilliance of the tale lies in the character work.
Through our nameless narrator we learn about Czentovic growing up a functional idiot until chess unlocks his mental prowess and then the harrowing tale of Dr B learning how to play a perfect game while in the cruellest captivity. Through these competitors we see how natural inclination and obsessive necessity can lead people to the Game of Kings. Both cases happened quite by chance but one was driven by considerably worse conditions.
As you would expect, this manifests in the final game played between the two men, leading to a clash of all-consuming passions to win. I won't say who the victor turns out to be but I couldn't help but feel cheated. If only Zweig had orchestrated a rematch.
An imperfect conclusion aside, I found Chess a truly captivating read. You don't have to have more than a passing interest in the game to follow it, though a desire to know what drives players to becoming masters is essential. I recommend Chess to those who enjoy fiction based on a meeting of like minds at cross purposes.