The Chessmen of Mars · Chapter
A Play to the Death explained
The great Jetan game begins with U-Dor and Gahan as opposing chiefs.
What happens
The great Jetan game begins with U-Dor and Gahan as opposing chiefs. Tara is the Black Princess, and Gahan, disguised as the Black Chief, leads a team of Helium loyalists against Manatorian players. The game is fought to the death, with Gahan's skill and strategy gradually overcoming U-Dor's forces. After a prolonged duel, Gahan defeats the Orange Panthan and then challenges U-Dor directly, engaging in a fierce sword fight that continues as darkness falls.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Resilience
Gahan and the Black players risk their lives in the Jetan game, fighting for Tara's freedom and against Manatorian tyranny.
Honor and Chivalry
Gahan's honorable conduct and the Black players' loyalty to Tara exemplify chivalric ideals, contrasting with U-Dor's contemptuous aggression.
The Game of Life and Death
The Jetan game literalizes the metaphor of life as a deadly contest, where each move carries mortal consequences.
Characters to notice
- Tara of Helium
Serves as the Black Princess in the Jetan game; initially distrustful of Gahan but later expresses trust in him.
- Gahan of Gathol
Disguised as the Black Chief; leads the Black players, fights skillfully, and ultimately challenges U-Dor in single combat.
- U-Dor
Orange Chief and volunteer player; initiates aggressive moves and engages Gahan in a prolonged duel.
- Val Dor
Plays as the Princess' Odwar for the Black side; reveals himself as a Helium loyalist and pledges to die for Tara.
- Floran of Gathol
Plays as the Princess' Panthan for the Black side; part of the Helium loyalist team.
- U-Kal
Black Chief of Manataj; a volunteer player on the Black side.
- O-Tar
Jeddak of Manator; watches the game from the royal enclosure, growing angry at U-Dor's performance and the crowd's hostility.
- Lan-O
Mentioned as the Orange Princess (slave woman of Gathol) in the game setup.
Key passages
“The Orange Princess is the slave woman Lan-O of Gathol; the Black Princess is the slave woman Tara, a princess of Helium.”
The Orange Princess is Lan-O, a slave from Gathol, while the Black Princess is Tara, a Helium princess held as a slave.
Establishes the stakes and identities of the key female players in the Jetan game.
“The squares shall be contested to the death. Just are the laws of Manator! I have spoken.”
Each square will be fought over until someone dies. This is the just law of Manator, and my decree is final.
Highlights the deadly nature of the Jetan game and the authority of Manatorian law.
“My sword is at your feet, Tara of Helium.”
I place my sword and my life at your service, Princess Tara of Helium.
Val Dor's pledge of loyalty to Tara, revealing the Black team's true allegiance.
“I would trust him with my life—with my soul; and you, too, may trust him.”
I have complete faith in him, enough to entrust my life and soul, and you can trust him as well.
Tara's declaration of trust in Gahan, despite her earlier anger toward him.
“The Black Odwar had these to strengthen his arm, and besides these the knowledge of the thing that Gahan had whispered into the ears of his players before the game, and so he fought for what is more than life to the man of honor.”
The Black Odwar was motivated by chivalry and loyalty, plus the secret Gahan shared with his players, making him fight for honor, which is more valuable than life.
Explains the deeper motivation of the Black players beyond mere survival.
“She knew that the skill of the Black Chief suffered little by the comparison.”
She realized that the Black Chief's swordsmanship was nearly as great as her father's.
Tara compares Gahan's skill to John Carter's, acknowledging his exceptional ability.
