Pawn to Infinity

by Fred Saberhagen (Editor)

Stories tell of game-playing machines, a champion chess player, parallel worlds, and a deadly machine that randomly destroys inhabited planets.

Genres: Chess, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Anthologies

258 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1982

About the author

Fred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.

Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.

From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.

Reviews

[Fred Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a chess buff, a great combination of sci-fi, fantasy and chess, plus some other imaginative games. An anthology by some great authors. As in any collection, there is a mix of great and not but my favorite "Unsound Variations" by George R.R. Martin is the longest. Getting a bit pricey for a paperback since out of print, published in 1982, but should you find a copy, snap it up!

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a child...over and over and over until I was old enough to understand it. There are some really interesting things going on in this book and I wish I could find my copy to read it again! You don't even have to like chess.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gene Wolfe, "The Marvelous Brass Chessplaying Automaton". Much less cheerful than its title. Not really enjoyed.

Roger Zelazny, "The Unicorn Variation". A charming, enjoyable piece.

Poul Anderson, "The Immortal Game". Named after the real-life game between tournament plays that was later given that designation--very 19th-c. chess, for those interested therein. The story is an interesting twist on an old trope.

Fritz Leiber, "Midnight by the Morphy Watch". How to deal with a true doomsday clock. Highly effective.

George R.R. Martin, 'Unsound Variations". Ingenious and satisfying. See the title link for the story's nominations.

Joanna Russ, "A Game of Vlet". Nicely chosen name for the game; pronounceable by English speakers but not a possible English word. The story is interesting too.

Fred Saberhagen, "Without a Thought". The first Berserker story.

Ruth Berman, "A Board in the Other Direction". What you can tell from how someone plays ... Effective.

Victor Contoski, "Von Goom's Gambit". Can't help but think it was more effective when originally published in a chess magazine.

Daniel Gilbert, "Kokomu". Unpleasant but effective.

Ambrose Bierce, "Moxon's Master". A still-effective classic.

Robert Frazier, "Rendezvous 2062". Net search says that's the year after, but it won't have gone far. And in case someone needs to know: This poem's on American Mahjong, with a truly difficult honors hand.

Alfred Stewart, "Reflections on the Looking Glass, An Essay." Ordinarily I like academic papers. But this one!?! What I understood I already knew and the rest made no sense to me.

[Anjanaa N · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of creative stories all tied around the game of chess! Despite not being a big sci-fi or short story fan, enjoyed the book. Started slow but had some gems in it. Particular call outs were Unsound variations, Midnight by the Morphy watch, and Unicorn variation.

[Jason Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice find. Some great stories. Not all were good, but overall the book was a fun read. It’s definitely worth a read if you like Chess, and I do, so this was an enjoyable and entertaining read.

[Notholden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed Unicorn Variation by Roger Zelazney, Unsound Variations by George R.R. Martin, and Without a Thought by Fred Saberhagen. In general, all the stories were entertaining and worth the read.

I have to edit this, and add that Moxon's Master by Ambrose Bierce was also great, with one particular line about consciousness and rhythm that keeps returning to my head.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely the greatest collection of fantasy and SF stories to involve chess or a chess like game to have ever been published. There are many great stories in here, and at least 2 masterpieces: "The Immortal Game" by Poul Anderson, and "Unicorn Variation" by Roger Zelazny.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly excellent (and a bit obscure) collection of science fiction stories with the common theme of chess. My favorites were the classics by Fritz Leiber, George R.R. Martin, and Roger Zelazny, though there isn't a real stinker in the bunch.

[Brian R. Mcdonald]

Contains the short story "Komoku" by Daniel Gilbert, which has some go content.

[Alex Geddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Folks, it just doesn't get any nerdier than this. You know what you're getting into. "The" George RR Martin's "Unsound Variations" came recommended by author Dan Heisman, and it mostly fit the bill.