# The Chessmen of Mars explained — The Chessmen of Mars

> Chapter companion for The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Tara of Helium, flying her flier, is caught in a violent storm and carried far from Helium. She crashes in a strange and desolate region, where she is captured by the Kaldanes, a race of beings who have evolved into disembodied heads with powerful intellects, and their servant Rykors, who are headless bodies. Tara is taken to their underground city of Bantoom, where she meets Ghek, a Kaldane who becomes fascinated by her. Meanwhile, Gahan of Gathol, disguised as the panthan Turan, sets out to rescue her, following her trail into the unknown.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mind vs. Body

The Kaldanes have evolved into pure intellect, while their Rykor servants are mindless bodies, highlighting the separation of mind and body.

### Courage and Resilience

Tara faces the terrifying Kaldanes with bravery, and Gahan ventures into unknown dangers to rescue her.

## Character check-ins

### Tara of Helium

Flies into a storm and is captured by the Kaldanes in Bantoom.

### Gahan of Gathol

Disguised as Turan, he sets out to rescue Tara.

### Ghek

A Kaldane who becomes intrigued by Tara and aids her.

### Luud

The chief Kaldane who rules in Bantoom and threatens Tara.

## Key lines

> The storm caught her and whirled her through the air with the fury of a living thing.

Tara's flier is seized by a violent storm and tossed uncontrollably.

_Describes the onset of the storm that leads to Tara's capture._

> She saw a great head, without body, arms, or legs, rolling toward her.

Tara witnesses a disembodied head approaching her, a Kaldane.

_Introduces the shocking appearance of the Kaldanes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/the-chessmen-of-mars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters