Luzhin (John Turturro), a Russian master visiting Italy for the World Chess Final, finds his world turned upside down when he unexpectantly falls in love. Despite his genius Luzhin is extremely introverted and finds it difficult to function in the everyday world, but when he meets Natalia (Emily Watson) she offers him a glimpse of a life outside the chess world and opens up the possibility of a whole new way of living. However, she is also about to get married.