In 1828, Max a roaming, suicidal child of twelve, meets Ambroise, a disillusioned pastor. The young boy turns out to be a genius at the game of chess. They set off together to conquer the title of world chess champion. Fourtheen years later, Max has become a taciturn, strange, powdered dandy. With Ambroise, his trainer and protector, still at his side. Max is confronted with the most condescending champion at that time, Lord Staunton, during a very suspicious tournament organized by the Marquise de Theux. A woman so consumed by her passion for game of chess that she will give her daughter, the ravishing Anne-Lise, to the winner of the tournament.