The story follows Mikhail Antonov, a chess prodigy who was orphaned at a young age. He grew up in an orphanage, where he was bullied for preferring to read literature over playing with other kids. The janitor of the orphanage taught him how to play chess, and he quickly became a master. Mikhail attended numerous chess competitions and eventually earned the title of grandmaster. As an adult, Mikhail holds a teaching position at a university and is a philosophy professor.