The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Science Fiction

Is the mysterious Panthan warrior friend or foe? As hero battles for maiden in a deadly game of living chess, the pieces are fighting men and the stakes are life and death! Burroughs began writing The Chessmen of Mars in January, 1921 and the finished story was first published in Argosy All-Story Weekly as a six-part serial in the issues for February and March of 1922. #5 in Burroughs's Martian Barsoom series.

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950) was an American author best known for creating the iconic character Tarzan. He was a pioneer of the adventure genre, particularly in science fiction and fantasy. Burroughs's work often explored themes of heroism, the struggle between civilization and nature, and the complexities of human relationships.
His most famous series, starting with ""Tarzan of the Apes"" (1912), introduced readers to a wild, heroic figure raised in the jungle. Burroughs also created the Barsoom series, featuring the adventures of John Carter on Mars, which became highly influential in the sci-fi genre.
Throughout his prolific career, Burroughs wrote more than 70 novels and numerous short stories, captivating audiences with his imaginative storytelling and vivid characters. Despite facing criticism for his writing style, his work has endured, inspiring countless adaptations in film, television, and comics. Today, he is regarded as one of the foundational figures in early 20th-century popular literature.