The Royal Game

Main Characters and Their Development

• Dr. B. — the main character, an Austrian lawyer who was held in solitary confinement by the Gestapo. In prison, he found a book on chess, which helped him maintain his sanity. His mental state deteriorates due to isolation and obsession with chess, but he also develops incredible chess skills.
• Mirko Czentovic — the world chess champion, from a poor background. He is portrayed as a person with limited intellectual abilities but possessing a genius talent for chess. His success in chess contrasts with his social and cultural shortcomings.
• Narrator — an unnamed storyteller who observes and describes the events. He acts as a mediator between the reader and the main characters, providing context and analysis of what is happening.