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 & 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 & opens up the possibility of a whole new way of living. However, she is also about to get married.