The static nature of a chess game is only the tip of the iceberg, beneath which lies strategic confrontation, rising tension and an unpredictable finale. It is an exciting process for players and observers, which is why movies about chess and chess players are so popular. You will find the most interesting ones in our selection.
The best movies about chess
Biographies of outstanding grandmasters are often like a ready-made movie script with dizzying ups and embarrassing defeats. But directors take a much broader view, and use chess games to create a variety of stories. In some works, the game emphasizes a character’s status, intelligence or tenacity, in others it serves as the basis for criminal actions or the development of brilliant thinking – as a platform for competition between people and even countries, and sometimes chess is part of a success story.
Dangerous Moves
This movie tells the story of two grandmasters fighting for the title of world champion. There are hidden allusions to the Karpov-Korchnoi match in 1978 and to Bobby Fischer’s attitude to his match in 1972. As the rounds progress, we watch two men who are willing to do anything to defeat their opponent. 
There is a very telling scene in the movie in which one of the competitors, Akiva Libskind, is suffering from an illness and despite the advice of his friend and personal doctor, is completely focused on defeating Pavius Fromm and winning the fight. He even goes so far as to say, “Don’t be a fool! I don’t care if I die or get better. I want to beat him. That’s it.”
- Release date 1984
- Starring: Michel Piccoli, Alexander Arbat
Searching For Bobby Fischer
The movie is based on the book of the same name by Fred Waitzkin, who describes the path of his son Josh on the international chess scene: from a gifted boy to a chess champion.
A special charm is added by the fact that this is a true story, in which Josh Waitzkin was recognized, but then stopped playing chess to devote himself to martial arts. The drama triggered a chess boom in US schools in the 1990s.
- Release date: 1993
- Starring: Ben Kingsley, Laurence Fishburne, Joe Mantegna and Joan Allen
The Luzhin Defence
A movie based on the novel of the same name by Vladimir Nabokov (published in 1929-1930 under the pseudonym V. Sirin). By the way, the writer himself was fond of playing chess and was the author of several interesting chess problems.
The movie tells the story of a talented but mentally unstable chess player Alexander Ivanovich Luzhin. In the 1920s he goes to Italy to take part in a prestigious tournament. There he meets Natalia Katkova and falls in love with her. Pressure, stress and high emotional degree have a strong impact on the player.
- Release date: 2000
- Starring: John Turturro, Emily Watson
Knights of the South Bronx
This is an inspiring story about a teacher in a poor neighborhood in the South Bronx in New York City who uses chess to help his students develop logical thinking, self-discipline, and strategic skills. With the teacher’s support, the teens learn to overcome challenges and believe in their abilities.
- Release date: 2005
- Starring: Ted Danson
Queen to Play
In this German-French drama, the main character is the maid Hélène. While cleaning one of the rooms, she sees a couple of Americans playing chess, and this is the beginning of her fascination with the game, as well as her unexpected friendship with the chess teacher Dr. Kröger.
- Release date: 2009
- Starring: Sandrine Bonner, Kevin Kline
Brooklyn Castle
The documentary captures the triumphs and defeats of the students of Intermediate School 318 (I.S. 318) and their chess teacher Elizabeth Spiegel in Brooklyn, New York. I.S. 318 coped with budget cuts by becoming the most successful high school chess program in the country and winning more championships than any other school. It was the first middle school team to win national high school championships.
- Release date: 2012
Pawn Sacrifice
The movie reflects the eccentric life of the talented chess player Bobby Fischer. It centers on his legendary confrontation with the reigning Russian world champion Boris Spassky. The action takes place at the height of the Cold War between the Western powers and the Eastern bloc. Therefore, the game has become synonymous with the conflict between the major blocs of powers at that time. The 1972 World Chess Championship went down in chess history as the match of the century, which was won by Fischer.
- Release date: 2014
- Starring: Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Michael Stuhlbar.
Magnus
This documentary tells the story of the reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen. It shows his path to the world title with episodes from his childhood, scenes of famous tournaments up to his world championship match against Viswanathan Anand, the previous world champion, in 2013. Since then, Carlsen has dominated the chess world.
- Release date: 2016
Queen of Katwe
This family chess movie tells the true story of Ugandan chess player Fiona Mutesi. Growing up in the Kampala slums of Katwe, she began to learn the game at a chess school, not because she was interested in the game, but because she was hungry. Her only incentive was the free food offered to the students there. However, her talent was soon discovered and a love for chess was born in her.
- Release date: 2016
- Starring: Madina Nalwanga, Chessa Hodge, Lauri Tilkanen, Tommy Korpela.
Fahim, the Little Chess Prince
The script is based on the autobiography of a young Bangladeshi chess player, Fahim Mohammad, living in France, and his mentor, Xavier Parmentier.
The young Fahim in the story leaves his homeland due to political tensions in the region. Together with his father, the boy is granted asylum in Paris. From a young age, Fatih plays chess and is quite successful at it. One day he meets Sylvian, one of the strongest grandmasters in France. He has a feisty character and constantly grumbles, but surprisingly quickly becomes attached to the young prodigy. A string of brilliant victories and embarrassing defeats awaits them.
- Release date: 2019
- Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Isabelle Nanty, Assad Ahmed, Mizanur Rahaman.
The Queen’s Gambit
The mini-series Queen’s Gambit is one of Netflix’s most successful shows. In the first month after its release, the series was watched by more than 60 million people. One of the series’ consultants was former world chess champion Garry Kasparov.
This is a story about Beth Harmon – a chess genius, in whose life there will be many shocks. Overcoming them is not easy, but allows the viewer to discover the main character strength and confidence in her own abilities. The story is admirable.
- Release date: 2020
- Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp.
Royal Game, The – Schachnovelle
A movie based on the work of the same name by Stefan Zweig. The main events unfold in 1938 shortly before the invasion of Austria by the Nazi regime: lawyer Josef Bartok tries in vain to escape, but he is arrested and placed in solitary confinement. A chess book that Bartok discovers and a chess set he made from bread turn him into an obsessive player who competes with the head of the Gestapo.
- Release date: 2021
- Starring: Oliver Masucci, Birgit Minichmayr, Moritz von Reuenfels.
Cartoon off the list – Geri’s Game
A pick about chess would be incomplete without mentioning this short animated movie by Pixar Studios.
It’s the story of an old man named Geri who plays a game of chess with himself in the park. However, as he plays both sides of the board, he imagines himself to be two different characters, one serious and experienced and the other a bit funny and naive. Jeri handles both sides skillfully and demonstrates his chess skills using a variety of tactics and strategies. This story of aging, life experience and wisdom continues to inspire audiences around the world.
- Release date: 1997
- Directed by: Jan Pinkavo
Chess movies should not be seen as instructional videos or a guide to follow. This is an opportunity to learn more about the game and the history of the players, so it will be interesting even for those who are far from chess strategies. But perhaps watching these works will start your fascination with chess.
