The chess grandmaster, Peter Sanderson (played by Christopher Lambert), is participating in a major tournament in Montreal when his lover, a local psychic named Kathy Sheppard (played by Diane Lane), is found murdered. The method of death - drained blood and "alive" paint on her body - suggest a ritualistic killing. Soon after, Sanderson receives a call from the killer, who taunts him with cryptic messages and challenges him to figure out the game of "chess" they are playing.
As Sanderson begins working with the police, led by Detective Frank Sedman (played by Tom Skerritt), and a psychologist named Dr. Marion Powers (played by Fiona Shaw), he starts to uncover strange connections between the murders and his own past. It turns out that Sanderson has a troubled history with women, having been accused of assault by a former girlfriend (played by Barbara Sukowa) and struggling with intimacy issues.
As the chess game between Sanderson and the killer intensifies, more victims are found and the stakes get higher. Sanderson and the police are pushed to the brink as they race to catch the killer before he strikes again. Meanwhile, doubts and suspicions about Sanderson's involvement in the murders continue to mount, forcing him to confront his own demons and fight to clear his name.
The film was released in 1992 and directed by Carl Schenkel. It received mixed reviews, but was praised for its stylish visuals and tense atmosphere. Lambert and Lane also received praise for their performances.