The Passenger-5
I found our stranger on the deck. He was lying on a deckchair, reading a book. When I introduced myself and told him about our desire to see him play the world champion, he replied:
- "What? Are you sure? I had no idea he was a famous grandmaster. Listen, I've never player chess against someone before and I beg you to believe me. I've learned chess only to forget some terrible memories and by playing chess against myself, it keeps me away from thoughts of suicide."
I was naturally astonished by these remarks. How a man, who had never played against someone, could possibly play an even game against a master like Kreutzer? If Kreutzer was some kind of genius, then this mysterious stranger must be another one, or maybe even a greater one.
Amazed by his revelation and guided by the desire to know his story, I inquired politely about himself. After much hesitation, he looked at me and said in a soft voice as if he were speaking to himself:
- "You are right. No good can come out of this. I must share it with someone... it has been something that I've endured too long."
Upon this, he invited me to take a seat and began his heart-wrenching, unbelievable story. A story that would still haunt me years afterwards.