Chess in Fiction

Hello–

I've written up some of my thoughts on how chess can and should be used in fictional settings, and pointed out some of the common problems therein. Let me know what you think!

Blog Post 396

Best,
Orion

Originally posted by @hikarushindo
Hello–

I've written up some of my thoughts on how chess can and should be used in fictional settings, and pointed out some of the common problems therein. Let me know what you think!

Blog Post 396

Best,
Orion

I think you have the general idea. I'm dating myself a bit, but the book The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis (still my all time favorite chess fiction book) from the 80's brings together most of the ideas you speak of. If you're thinking of writing a piece of chess fiction Please....DO IT!! There is not nearly enough of it out there.

Another idea you might consider is of a chess player of average talent who becomes a strong player by means of persistence and well organized work habits simply because he or she loves the game, and wants to play it well. Following their progress from beginner to master could be a book that many players can relate to.

Kurt Vonnegut Kr, All The King's Horses:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_the_King%27s_Horses_(short_story)

And then, of course, there are the chess stories where the actual chess doesn't matter at all, but the chess player does. Nabokov's Defense, for example, which I found interesting, but a greater insight into Nabokov's own obsessive hang-ups than into the psyche of a real chess player.