Written from the point of view of an unnamed narrator, it describes the titular character, Wang Yisheng, and what drives him to play xiangqi, also known as Chinese chess.

During the train ride to the mountains, Wang and his friend talk about how he learned to play xiangqi and how he evolved his current strategy.

Wang also tells his friend about how his mother made him a set out of discarded toothbrush handles before she died because she knew how much he loved the game.

Wang Yisheng arrives too late to enter the official tournament, but he challenges the winners to an unofficial match after it is over.

The final match ends in a draw, with Wang Yisheng having played against an old man who is too fragile to leave the house, and had to send his moves via messenger.

"The Chess Master" and Ah Cheng's other novellas were popular with many sectors of Chinese society, and well regarded by critics and scholars.