The plot revolves around three men waiting to be deported in a prison. To escape the monotony, they form chess pieces from their bread rations, with which they then play against each other. Grünstein, a Polish Jew, proves to be a real talent, because although he is a beginner, he manages to defeat even the experienced player Lodeck, a German sailor, with his "Grünstein Variant".
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Klaus SchwarzkopfGrieche | Grieche |
 Fred DürenGrünstein | Grünstein |
 Rolf HoppeGefängnisdirektor | Gefängnisdirektor |
 Jörg GudzuhnLodek | Lodek |
 Arno WyzniewskiKaminski | Kaminski |
 Rolf LudwigGarstecki | Garstecki |
 Willi SchradeWärter | Wärter |
| HHubert GleissnerWärter | Wärter |