What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I read an exempt of this book 12 years or so ago. As I recall the novel was part of the series. The author is American or British.
The protagonist is a gamer who plays strategy board games on humanity's behalf with aliens.
I much appreciate your help!

The Player of Games, by Iain M. Banks. - (Culture ; 2)?

"The Culture - a human/machine symbiotic society - has thrown up many great Game Players, and one of the greatest is Gurgeh. Jernau Morat Gurgeh. The Player of Games. Master of every board, computer and strategy. Bored with success, Gurgeh travels to the Empire of Azad, cruel and incredibly wealthy, to try their fabulous game ... a game so complex, so like life itself, that the winner becomes emperor. Mocked, blackmailed, almost murdered, Gurgeh accepts the game, and with it the challenge of his life - and very possibly his death."

Ohh, indeed that's the one! Thank you, Robert, much appreciated!!