The Soviet chess player Anatolij meets the American chess player Freddie in Italy where a grand chess championship is held. There, their pasts and love affairs starts to affect the competition, forcing them to face their inner feelings.

A small group of friends are gathered at Katinka's summer house to celebrate her birthday. The guests are all in their thirties, upper class, art world, liberal humanitarian bohemians. They sit on the floor smoking amongst books, antiques and modern art. The party sets off on a high note, when suddenly during dinner, two new guests arrive. Linda, a blonde game show hostess, is unexpectedly brought to the party by Katinka's brother. Linda is greeted warmly at first, her brusque and liberated manners are entertaining and fresh. But during the course of the evening Linda stretches the groups invisible social rules of hospitality. Contempt starts to grow, thus unfolding the groups hidden prejudices.