The setting is Europe, 1800. Max, an orphan, is prevented from jumping off a cliff by Pastor Ambroise. Max turns out to be a chess wunderkind. Fourteen years later, he has become a nearly invincible, manic-depressive, supernaturally ugly master of the game. The marquise de Theux, admirably played by Catherine Deneuve, learns of Max's abilities and decides to hold a world championship at her castle. The Grand Prize is none other than her daughter, whom Max instantly falls in love with. However, he has encountered his most cunning opponent yet...