This is the ultimate book for lovers of chess. You will embark on an unforgettable intellectual expedition in the realm of the Royal Game. The beauty, the battle, the culture, the fun, the art and the heroism of chess are the main themes of this fascinating and often surprising journey. Your private guide is Christian Hesse, a Harvard-trained professor of Mathematics and an avid chess player. Hesse has written a sparkling book that will give you many hours of intense joy. With a preface by former world champion of chess Vladimir Kramnik.