English Title: "The Royal Game" or "Chess Story" by Stefan Zweig
Published by: Reclam Verlag
Language: German
Pages: 100
 
Summary:
"Chess Story," also known as "Schachnovelle" in German, is a novella by Stefan Zweig about a man named Dr. B. who is imprisoned and psychologically tortured by the Gestapo. To cope with the isolation and mental torment, he steals a book about chess and becomes obsessed with mastering the game, eventually developing a split personality to play against himself. Later, while traveling on a ship, he uses this skill to defeat the world chess champion. The story explores themes of psychological trauma, the power of the human mind, and the dangers of both political oppression and obsession.