A classical short novella.

Taken from the previously published story collection Three Stories and a Reflection, now in a new edition with wonderful illustrations by Jean-Jacques Sempé.

Two men are seated across a chess board in the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris. One is an ingenious upstart, the other an old champion caught in his old ways.
It’s time for the apéritif, but none of the onlookers would even think of leaving the scene.
Who is the audience’s favourite? And which king will fall first?