The Game of Chess: A Play in One Act: Play Guide and Free Edition
The Game of Chess: A Play in One Act: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Game of Chess: A Play in One Act is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Goodman, Kenneth Sawyer (1883–1918).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Game of Chess: A Play in One Act" by Kenneth Sawyer Goodman is a theatrical drama written in the early 20th century, specifically in the years leading up to World War I. This play explores themes of power, identity, and the nature of life and death through the metaphor of a chess game. The dialogue-driven piece encompasses the nuances of the human condition and the political tensions of class struggles. The story unfolds in a richly decorated room where two characters, Alexis Alexandrovitch and Boris Ivanovitch Shamrayeff, partake in a tense game of chess. While playing, Alexis engages Boris in a philosophical conversation that reveals the complex dynamics of their relationship and the larger societal issues at play, rooted in class conflict and revolutionary fervor. As the dialogue deepens, the stakes escalate beyond the chessboard when Boris, an agent of the revolutionary party, confronts Alexis, a nobleman, about killing him. The play delves into themes of duality and self-awareness, culminating in a dramatic twist where the lines between predator and prey, as well as the notions of justice and vengeance, are disturbingly blurred. Ultimately, it highlights the absurdity and gravity of their situation, leaving both characters in a deadly game where survival and truth hang in the balance.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Game of Chess: A Play in One Act
- Author credits: Goodman, Kenneth Sawyer (1883–1918)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American drama -- 20th century
- One-act plays
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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