[1] Premchand also made the Urdu version titled "Shatranj ki bazi".
The story depicts decadent royalty of Central North India.
Their desire for the game destroys the competency of the characters, and makes them irresponsible in their duties towards their families and society.
They derive immense pleasure in developing chess strategies and ignore the real life invasion by the British.
Their city Lucknow falls to British attackers as they are busy playing a game of chess.