Bostjan Troha-Karo
How to play chess in the dark
Tips and tricks for absolute beginners
After writing many video game screenplays and stories for clients such as Microsoft and 20th Century Fox, How to Play Chess in the Dark: Tips for Absolute Beginners is my first novel.
A cautionary tale about a man who had it all but wanted more is written in Slovenian and translated to English but that needs polish. I’m raising €5000 to have the book proofread and polished.
What’s the project about?
The original version of How to Play Chess in the Dark: Tips for Absolute Beginners, written in Slovenian, has already captivated readers with its unique blend of thought-provoking narrative and unique characters. Now, I’d like to share the novel with the world by making it accessible to English-speaking audiences.
I’ve taken the first big step: translating the novel myself. With a Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, I’ve ensured the translation captures the essence of the story. But translating a novel is more than just switching words between languages. To truly shine in the English-speaking market, this book needs a professional touch to refine the language, polish the prose, and adapt idioms and metaphors to fit cultural nuances.
That’s where you come in. To bring How to Play Chess in the Dark to life in English, I’m raising €5000. These funds will go toward:
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Professional editing and proofreading: To refine the language and ensure the story reads naturally for English-speaking audiences.
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Cultural adaptation: To tweak metaphors, idioms, and expressions so they resonate with the English-speaking market.
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Bringing the book to the world: Your support helps make this dream a reality.
Kickstarter rewards
Complete e-book
€5
You’ll receive the complete How To Play Chess in the Dark in ebook formats in US English, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of intrigue from anywhere. Perfect for those who prefer a digital reading experience or want a page-turning experience without the pages. You’ll also be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
Complete e-books
€10
You’ll get the complete How To Play Chess in the Dark in ebook formats in US English and Slovenian, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of intrigue in two languages. You’ll also be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
A Paperback copy of How To Play Chess in the Dark
€25
This is your illustrated go-to edition US English for the beach, the subway, and for when you don’t want to talk to anyone and need something, anything, to pretend you’re busy. You’ll also be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
A hardcover copy of How To Play Chess in the Dark
€30
You’ll receive a hardcover copy of the book in US English to read in a comfy armchair puffing a pipe, sipping cognac and postponing the bio-break because the story is so riveting. You’ll also be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
Paperback copies of How To Play Chess in the Dark in English and Slovenian
€50
You’ll get the paperback copy of the novel in two languages, one spoken by about 1.5 billion people and the other by about 2 million. You’ll also be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
Hardcover copies of How To Play Chess in the Dark in English and Slovenian
€70
You’ll get a hardcover copy of the novel in two languages. Why? I have no idea, but I’ll be super grateful if you’ll back the project with this reward. You’ll also be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
Autographed hardcover with a crystal etching of the human heart
€150
You’ll receive an autographed hardcover copies of the novel in US English and Slovenian, and a laser etching in crystal of the human heart — the main antagonist of How To Play Chess in the Dark. The crystal is about 8 cm high (3.2 in) and about 5cm wide and deep (2 in). You’ll also be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
I’ll name a character after you and it will be in all editions and for everyone
€200
You’ll receive hardcover copies of How To Play Chess in the Dark in US English and Slovenian with one of the characters named after you. The name will be in every book published, and in any language. Of course, you’ll be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
An autographed edition with a character named after you, and a crystal etching of the human heart
€250
In this, the ultimate reward, you’ll get hardcover copies of this page-turner in both US English and Slovenian, both autographed and you’ll get a laser etching in crystal of the human heart — the main antagonist of How To Play Chess in the Dark. The crystal is about 8 cm high (3.2 in) and about 5cm wide and deep (2 in). You’ll also be mentioned as the book supporter at the end of the novel.
About Me:
BOSTJAN TROHA-KARO
I’m a veteran game designer and storyteller who left the video game industry about a decade ago after spending 25 years crafting screenplays, dialogue, stories, narrative designs, doing some coding, sound design and engineering, and leading a studio of over 75 game developers for 10 years.
Since stepping away from the industry, I’ve been consulting businesses, angel-funding startups, and, more recently, managing investments in distressed economies, including regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. These experiences became a profound inspiration for this novel.
Born from my time spent in the grand cities of Europe, and contrasting this with the forgotten world of the African Sahel, and seeing the shadowy forces that shape the destinies of the people everywhere, How to Play Chess in the Dark: Tips for Absolute Beginners was written.
Chapter excerpts
Chapter 9
This chapter pulls you deeper into the twisted psychology of the characters and the ruthless world they inhabit—an unrelenting battle for dominance where winning is the only rule. Can Capo’s team survive the aftermath, or will their fractured alliances lead to their ultimate downfall?
Chapter 16
Tim, a cunning but desperate fugitive, navigates the gritty streets of Saint-Denis after narrowly escaping the police. Clad in a borrowed tracksuit, he attempts to blend into a world of outcasts and hustlers, hiding from the law while piecing together a sinister conspiracy involving a murder, his past actions in Cairo, and the enigmatic Capo.
What is the story about?
How To Play Chess in the Dark: Tips for Absolute Beginners is a 280+ page tale of ambition, power, and betrayal, centered on Tim Kovac, a provincial-born financial mastermind who had it all — wealth, success, and love — but wanted more. Tim’s rise to global prominence as a sought-after financial logistics expert (aka money launderer) for the world’s ultimate elite takes him into the center of a world of unimaginable moral corruption.
As Tim navigates his way through a labyrinth of frustration, intrigue, and moral compromise, his relentless drive to prove himself propels him into the orbit of Capo, a ruthless military-industrialist; Joburg, a calculating aristocrat; and Toledo, a bloated telecom magnate teetering on self-destruction—players in a cutthroat elite sport that mirrors their ruthless real-world dealings. Drawn by the allure of power and acceptance into this shadowy circle, Tim sacrifices his health, relationships, and morality, believing he can outmaneuver them all.
But raw ambition has its price, and Tim’s insatiable hunger leads to devastating consequences. Will Tim’s pursuit of greatness cost him everything he holds dear, leaving a haunting lesson about the emptiness of unbridled ambition? Or will he outmaneuver the elite and take their throne?
With sharp prose and relentless tension, How To Play Chess in the Dark explores the human cost of power and the cost of chasing the unattainable.
The book is illustrated with black and white engravings. Each chapter starts with either a steel or wood engraving, setting the tone for the story.
Visit the project page on kickstarter
By backing this project, you’re not just supporting a novel—you’re supporting the bridge between two cultures, a heartfelt story reaching new readers, and the dream of a writer determined to share their vision.
Every contribution helps bring How to Play Chess in the Dark closer to bookshelves and into the hands of readers worldwide. Join me on this journey. Let’s make something incredible happen, together.
Readers’ Reviews
★★★★★
The only other book I’ve read in two days was Stephen Kings’ Pet Sematary. An awesome page-turner.
— V. T., professor of literary theory and comparative literature
★★★★★
Tense and captivating, practically a horror story (I even had a truly nightmarish dream once!). A well-crafted and executed brutal tale that keeps the reader on edge the entire time, even as they try to convince themselves they need a break to catch their breath. An excellent idea, the title is intriguing, and the reveal is shocking.
— N. D., journalist and editor
★★★★★
It truly is a very unique story—I haven’t read a similar crime novel, if I can call it that. I had a great time reading it, and I must say it’s one of the best books I’ve read in recent times.
— T. K., graphic designer
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