Dortmunder's ideas in the first half of the book are not very productive, but then he figures out a gambit to have the chess set examined by professionals for a perceived tampering and possible previous theft.  The chess set is moved to a secure location downtown where it will be accessible to the folks that are going to examine it...but maybe it isn't as secure as they think...or maybe Dortmunder is just smarter than they are. Or is he? Surprising twists are a Westlake trademark, and the plot keeps you guessing as to the outcome. 

This is number 13 in a long and very entertaining series about John Dortmunder and his amusing gang of crooks.  I'm new to the series, but Donald Westlake and his pseudonym, Richard Stark, have definitely been added to my list of favorite authors. Westlake has aptly been called a "national literary treasure"  and he proves the truth of the title as he writes about quirky characters who often fail in the capers they attempt, and always run into nearly insurmountable problems. Their solutions border on genius and the outcome is often ironic and hilarious. You won't be disappointed.