MathFiction: The Fairy Chessmen (Henry Kuttner)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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The Fairy Chessmen (1951)

Henry Kuttner
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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A mathematician whose research involves a type of chess played with variable rules ("fairy chess") is the only one able to solve an "equation from the future" in which the constants are treated as variables that the "bad guys" are going to use to win World War III. Apparently, the fact that the equation involves lots of variables is supposed to be able to drive most mathematicians crazy. Sounds pretty unrealistic to me, but I must admit that I have not seen nor read this novel. If you have, please write in with more information!

Contributed by Charles A. Crayne

Although I rated this work as "Math is definitely a main theme", no knowledge of math is assumed, or required, on the part of the reader. The reason that the equation drives the attempted solvers insane is NOT its complexity, but rather because of the conflict between the absolute necessity of finding the solution, and the fact that the equation is, in fact, unsolvable -- both because it is incomplete, and because attempts to guess at the missing elements lead to results which demonstrably contradict the known laws of science. -- Chuck

(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to The Fairy Chessmen

According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:

The Last Starship from Earth by John Boyd
The Time Axis by Henry Kuttner
Starman Jones by Robert A. Heinlein
Drunkard's Walk by Frederik Pohl
The Curve of the Snowflake by William Grey Walter
Nymphomation by Jeff Noon
Psychohistorical Crisis by Donald Kingsbury
Schild's Ladder by Greg Egan
Mathematicians in Love by Rudy Rucker
Distress by Greg Egan

Ratings for The Fairy Chessmen:

Ratings

Have you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.

Mathematical Content:
3.5/5 (2 votes)

Literary Quality:
5/5 (1 votes)

Categories:

Genre	Science Fiction,
Motif	Mental Illness, War, Time Travel,
Topic	Fictional Mathematics,
Medium	Novels,

Home All New Browse Search About

Where are the new works of mathematical fiction?: As you can see from this chronological listing, this database includes many works of mathematical fiction for each year from 1990 to 2025. Strangely, only two are listed for 2026, so far. Either less mathematical fiction is being published than in previous years or I'm just having more trouble finding it. If you know of any works of fiction that should be added to this list, especially recently published ones, please let me know. (Keep in mind that I do not include self-published works or children's fiction that just covers elementary mathematical concepts.) Thanks!

(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)