John Dortmunder hasn't gotten where he is today by turning a blind eye to an easy heist. But he also knows an impossible job when it comes along. So when an ex-cop named Eppick presents him with a job that involves stealing a bejewelled, solid gold chess set, a chess set weighing more than one man can carry, from an underground vault in a Manhattan bank, Dortmunder says no thanks. Eppick says steal the chess set or go to jail for previous crimes. So John and his bumbling band of good natured thieves put together a plan. But is it a workable plan?