"A globe-trotting romp through the world of ultra-competitive chess, in which the author submits himself to humiliating defeats and the tutelage of ornery mentors in his search for glory--a celebration of the purity, violence, and beauty of the game"--

Preface: The 600 million -- Kathmandu -- Pawnishers -- One night in Bangkok -- A puzzle without a solution -- No Macs -- Rough Gus -- Secret of chess -- I'd hate to be God right now, because he sees everything -- Dreams die in California -- Beach