A new work by the author of the novel “White on Black” (Booker Prize 2003) Two friends, unwillingly isolated from the outside world, live together. They talk and play chess. Their whole life seems like a chessboard on which each piece has its own meaning. Both know that sooner or later, when the game ends, the pieces will be collected in the box. One of them is smart, he decides to stop the game and wins. The other one is a fool. He plays chess very poorly. Therefore, he stays alive and a few years later he commits the biggest stupidity of his life - he writes a book. The author of the book is a fool, Ruben, who sincerely believes that one must fight to the end and that in war one must take the side of the weak. A weak person who fights to the end can win or go to Valhalla. Those who fight on the side of the strong have no chance. He is doomed to kill forever, eat forever, serve his master forever, and die surrounded by people as despicable as himself. Those who choose to play on the side of those in power have no opportunity to die with dignity in arms and reach Valhalla. This book is about how it is impossible to win in a chess game with the Devil, you can only draw. The best way out is not to make a deal with the Devil. Ruben Gallego