64 squares, 32 pieces, minimal simple rules, yet they compose a whole distinct world. The royal game of chess has fascinated people all over the world for more than 1,500 years.

Christian Mann meticulously follows this exciting phenomenon step by step, analyzing the history and culture of a game that has always been more than just simple entertainment. Historical games from the past and matches between today's top players, the lives and thoughts of the players, as well as the social, political, and cultural significance of the game, everything that makes chess captivating is thoroughly analyzed here.