The death of his fiancee has left chess master Arkady Balagan agoraphobic and unwilling to step outside of his hotel. This debilitation, however, doesn't stop him from solving difficult crimes.
CreatorAvrum Jacobson
Opening Moves
Mar 14, 2011
Balagan's first case is launched when Danni pleads with him to find a missing boy and, in a race against time, he enlists Sam and Alcina to help.
Turkish Hold'em
Mar 21, 2011
A daring robbery during a high-stakes poker game forces Hugo to ask Balagan for help, prompting the chess master to create his own complex plot to trap the culprit.
The Caffeine Hit
Mar 28, 2011
A well-dressed man wakes up on the sidewalk with no shoes, no wallet, and no memory. The only thing in his pocket is a receipt that leads him to the Huxley Hotel. Remembering nothing but how much he loves his wife, the man hires Balagan to find her and to help him rediscover his identity. While uncovering the truth of the amnesiac’s complicated life, Balagan battles with Pippa over the investigation into Rosemary’s murder.
The Other Side of Summer
Apr 4, 2011
Swallowing his pride, Hugo asks Balagan for help. Walt, Hugo’s police mentor, is retiring, but one unsolved case still haunts him. Twenty years ago, a teen girl disappeared and Walt is convinced her ex-boyfriend, Stephen, killed her. But because the girl’s body was never found, Walt could never charge Stephen. Now with Balagan’s help, Hugo hopes to find the one piece of evidence that will put Stephen behind bars before Walt takes matters into his own hands. Pippa comes to Balagan with some startling news in Rosemary’s case: the police have finally arrested a suspect.
I Killed Her
Apr 11, 2011
A mysterious doctor tells Balagan that he is responsible for the murder of a woman found in the hotel pool during a Psychiatric Conference, drawing Balagan into a complex and dangerous game.
Fearful Symmetry
Apr 18, 2011
Enlisted by a terrified family to help solve the inexplicable bombing of their car, Balagan is sidetracked by an unexpected match with a 16-year-old world chess champion.
Gorillas in our Midst
Apr 25, 2011
Smitten by a beautiful Chinese cryptologist, Sam convinces Balagan to try to solve an intricate puzzle involving a vital secret and an attractive, conniving female journalist.
The White Queen
May 2, 2011
When the imperious heiress of the Huxley Hotel empire descends for an inspection, she coerces Balagan into helping her find her son, who has mysteriously disappeared.
Huxley, We Have a Problem
May 9, 2011
When Balagan’s oldest friend, the larger than life Russian cosmonaut Oleg Olesky, comes to the Huxley, he brings more than the party. About to pilot the first private space tourism rocket ship, Oleg is there with Chase Galactic as they announce their maiden launch. When the head engineer, Randall, falls from the roof of the hotel, Oleg is the prime suspect. With his only alibi being the fact he was with his boss’s wife, which she denies, Oleg pleads for Balagan’s help. Balagan eventually figures out the true motive for Randall’s murder – and the real murderer.
Bless This Union
May 16, 2011
When the hotel safe is robbed during an extravagant Indian wedding celebration, the distraught couple asks Balagan to help recover their stolen gifts- but is it an inside job or the work of professionals?
Mr Black
May 31, 2011
Balagan is forced to match his chess skills against a computer when his anonymous online opponent reveals that he is playing for lethally high stakes - the lives of a group of innocent hostages.
Polar Opposites
Jun 6, 2011
A rock star rock star hires Balagan to find $200,000 stolen from him - a mystery that also involves colourful groupies, a missing polar bear, and the kidnapped grandmother of Danni's estranged husband.
Deadman Talking
Jun 13, 2011
After Balagan investigates the sudden death of a hotel security guard, he is forced to face his worst nightmare.
