Sixteenth century, Madrid. At the court of the powerful Spanish King Philip II, four of the strongest chess players in the entire Christian world meet. Only one of them will be able to reach the very top of the chess Olympus - but who exactly? An uncompromising struggle is waged not only at the checkered board, but also far beyond the quiet gaming room - in distant countries, in pirate waters, and in the souls of players overwhelmed by unbridled passions. Love and hate, envy and the thirst for revenge are a deadly poison in the victorious cup of intoxicating glory...