Der Schacherzähler

A wonderful novel about the magic of friendship and chess. He mainly lives in his memories, as he finds little joy in the present. When he is approached by a 9-year-old boy while playing chess under his chestnut tree, he introduces himself simply as "Oldman" and tells the boy that everything is going to ruin anyway. However, Janne is curious and wants to learn how to play chess. Oldman has little hope that the boy will learn, as he can't even sit still. But Janne learns quickly, and Oldman begins to talk. First about chess, then about life. And Janne listens and finally feels right: with chess and with the old man. But one afternoon, Oldman is no longer there. There is no trace of him the next day or the day after. Janne is filled with worry and begins to search for him.