Set in the Soviet Union during the 60s. Scientist Dronov (Cherkasov), designer of a new engine, is also a member the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. He sincerely uses his power to make life better for all people. But Dronov lives in tough reality: his engine fails another test, his apprentice dies, and he is diagnosed with incurable illness. In a symbolic scene, Dronov, plays a chess game against his opponent, Priest Serafim (Popov), who speaks about god...