It is the winter of 1859 and scarlet fever is rife in New England. As two children, Frances and Julianne Beale, are recovering together, they amuse themselves by playing a game of chess. But it is no ordinary game. Frances is following a historical chess book and convinces Julianne to turn their chess pieces into imaginary characters who come alive on the stage. What follows is a melodrama of sword fighting, murder, betrayal, love, and sacrifice, all against the background of a large chess board and moveable pieces. The Alabaster king has died and his widow, Queen Agnes, will do anything to protect her son, Prince Patrick, from her ambitious brother, the King of Obsidia. As the Obsidian forces enter the Alabaster Valley, their plot to poison the young prince is thwarted by a coalition of scrappy soldiers, bumbling bishops, and two star-crossed lovers who must find courage to be more than mere pawns in their two kingdoms at war. Approximately 90 minutes without intermission.

In this tight, well-plotted script, the action builds to almost farcical levels at some points. The interplay among all the characters is excellent, and there are plenty of scenes with only a few actors at a time, making it easy to rehearse segments without having to balance too many schedules. With a goal for inclusivity, some roles and associated friendships may fall outside of traditional norms. The representation of any such couple is done innocently, sweetly, and naturally. This play has rich themes of friendship, loyalty, allegiance, and of course, jealousy.