Walter Tevis is the mystery man behind the books that became much more famous movies: The Hustler, The Color of Money and The Man Who Fell To Earth. The latter two films blew, but I'm here to tell ya that Tevis delivers on two novels I read last weekend, The Hustler and The Queen's Gambit. Both concern mano a mano game obsessives- Fast Eddie Felsons pool mania and Beth Harmon's chess visions. Tevis intimately understands the complexity of the psychological ramifications of ego in competition, as it stands alone, naked and vulnerable. Both novels treat alcoholism and drug addiction as alluring and curable, without self-pity, rehab or counseling. The Hustler is tough guy fiction with moments of philosophical clarity, and The Queen's Gambit is insidiously gripping, sucking you into Beth's mind and world without manipulating your heartstrings or tugging on your tear ducts. I cannot get her out of my mind, and the chess scenes were riveting, even though I couldn't understand any of the moves. Tevis is tough, honest and perceptive, and he refuses to buckle into easy emotional escape routes for his characters. A new discovery at my age? Yank that ankle out of the dust, old man.