SS Obersturmführer Paul Meissner arrives in Auschwitz fresh from the Russian Front. Being badly wounded he is fit only for administrative duty and his most pressing task is to improve flagging camp morale among the officers. He sets up a chess club, which thrives as under-the-table bets are made on the results of the games. When Meissner learns from that chess is also played by the prisoners, however, he becomes intrigued by the rumour of a Jewish watchmaker who is 'unbeatable'...