In the 1820s, Marquise (Catherine Deneuve) is a wealthy mother living in the Belgian countryside. She decides to hold a chess tournament and offers the hand of her daughter, Anne-Lise (Hilde Heijnen), and a large cash sum as prizes for whoever wins. The eccentric Max (Denis Lavant) is a chess prodigy, but has a tormented relationship with the game. In spite of this, he enters the tournament but faces stiff competition in British champion Lord Staunton (James Wilby).