Frasier buys a new, expensive chess set, and talks Martin into playing a game with him. After Martin wins, Frasier writes it off as beginner’s luck. But when Martin continues to win, again and again, Frasier becomes obsessed with beating his father.

Niles believes Frasier is subconsciously allowing Martin to win because he would feel Oedipal guilt if he beat his father. Despite this rational explanation, Frasier keeps badgering Martin to compete in endless rematches. When Martin refuses to play one more time, Frasier offers Martin money if he wins, just to make sure his father doesn’t throw the game to get Frasier off his back.

When Frasier finally wins, he rubs it in to Martin, who is a good sport about the whole thing. Later, Frasier reawakens his father to make sure Martin didn’t lose on purpose. Even after Martin reassures Frasier that he won fair and square, Frasier gets an attack of the Oedipal guilt Niles had predicted.