James S. Stewart Tells Of An Oil Painting ...

“James S. Stewart tells of an oil painting depicting Faust engaged in a chess game with the devil. Faust, you will recall, was the man who gambled his life with the devil and lost. The look on Faust’s face in the painting is one of abject despair. He has been reduced to a few pawns, a knight, and his king. From across the chessboard the devil leers at him in anticipation of his expected victory. According to Stewart, chess players from around the world came to the gallery to study the board situation, and all agreed that the position of Faust was hopeless. Indeed, the painting was entitled "Checkmate".

One day, a renowned chess master came to view the painting. Other viewers came and went, but still he pondered the position of the pieces on the board. Then, people in the gallery were startled when this chess master suddenly shouted out, "It’s a lie. The king and the knight have another move.”

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