Hélène, a housekeeper at a ritzy hotel in Corsica, is devoted to her family but lacks any passion in her own life. When she sees a handsome couple play a passionate game of chess, she becomes inspired to play herself. Hélène's working-class husband and spoiled daughter are soon bewildered by her obsession with chess. They also grow suspicious of Hélène's close relationship with Dr. Kröger, her eccentric American expat tutor.

• Mon Voisin Productions
• Sandrine Bonnaire
• Kevin Kline
• Valérie Lagrange
• Francis Renaud
• Alexandra Gentil
• Alice Pol
• Élisabeth Vitali
• Jennifer Beals