Chapter 3 Summary

The narrator suggests that the day is rapidly approaching when young Luzhin's life will become focused on one thing to exclusion of all else. Luzhin senior, in memoriam of the one-year anniversary of his father-in-law's death, hosts a musical evening in his apartment. Uncomfortable among the guests, the boy creeps away to his father's shadowy office, where he is soon discovered eavesdropping on a violinist's telephone call. The affable violinist, referring to the father's chess set, suggests that the boy learn how to play. Luzhin senior soon arrives to collect the musician. The violinist departs, but not before making a few more complimentary remarks about chess.

Young Luzhin wakes the next morning, inexplicably excited. During their morning stroll, Luzhin senior hints that his son should take up music. After breakfast, Luzhin notes some unusual tension between his father and his aunt, culminating with...