Queenmagic, Kingmagic

Brilliantly entertaining fantasy by Ian Watson. Narrated by Pedino, who at the start of the book is a young man growing up in the country of Bellogard. Pedino turns out to be one of the few residents of Bellogard who has a full soul, which means he is one of the pieces in the magical war between Bellogard and the enemy nation of Chorny, a war conducted under the rules of chess. The war may last centuries, but when either side loses its King, the world will come to an end. Trained as a pawn-squire, Pedino distinguishes himself on his first mission, but falls in love with an enemy piece. During the course of the story Pedino becomes aware that there are other universes, also dominated by magical contests, but in these other worlds such contests can follow the rules of Go, Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, or other games .... An engaging fantasy, which makes you care about the characters and their fantastic yet familiar worlds. Strongly recommended.