In a 1950s orphanage, a young girl reveals an astonishing talent for chess and begins an unlikely journey to stardom while grappling with addiction.

1997. Garry Kasparov, the greatest chess player of all time, faces Deep Blue, IBM's supercomputer. Two brains, face to face; one man against an empire; a battle of humans against machines that forever changed the perception of artificial intelligence.

The death of his fiancee has left chess master Arkady Balagan agoraphobic and unwilling to step outside of his hotel. This debilitation, however, doesn't stop him from solving difficult crimes.

Here come the Crown Knights: Sunday Spades — the poker-faced leader and possessor of the mysterious trump power! Jo Diamonds — who can run at the speed of light! Casa Clubs — combat expert who possesses hyper-senses! Coco Hearts — the tricky master of psycho-magic!

Together, these cute, card-carrying champions are dealing a world of hurt to the criminals who threaten the tranquil Card Kingdom. But can they checkmate two, invading war machines — shaped like gigantic chess pieces — before the kingdom topples like a house of cards?