
DetectiveNickMathersloseseverythinginthepursuitofakiller:hiswife,hiseldestdaughter,hisgirlfriend.Worsefollowswhenthecasethatcosthisdaughter'sliferesurfaces,theChessPieceKillerwantstofinishthegame.Eachpiecehasanameonit,ifNicklosesapiece;thekillerslaughtersthepersonwhosenameisonthepiece.WhenhetakesNick'syoungerdaughterLisaasapieceontheboard,thegamebecomesmuchmorepersonal.Witha15minutetimelimitoneachmove,NickracesagainsttimetoworkoutthekillersmethodsbeforetheclockticksdowntotheendofLisa'slife.WhileNickandex-girlfriendAlistruggletofindandstopthekiller,Lisafightsthesuspicionofherfellowcaptivesthatherfatherisassickasthepsychowhokidnappedthem.Asrunsout,Nickworksoutthelinkbetweentheplacementofthevictimswhentheyarekilled,andtheirplacementontheboard-thecityisonegreatbigchessboardforthekiller.ButcanherescueLisain
