Chess is a game of strategy, and maybe that's why Malcolm likes it. It involves anticipating what somebody else is going to do, not unlike what he does for a living.

"Would you like to play?" he asks the young man. There's a timidity about him, as if he's not sure if this is what he really wants. Malcolm isn't going to force him. He's also not ruthless at chess, like some people are. There's a line for him between enjoying the game and being obsessed with it.