Chess-Themed Series and Movies
Chess-themed series and movies, often based on real events, are highly appreciated by some people.
Chess, a two-player game that requires strategic intelligence, may seem boring to some, but it is actually a highly popular game worldwide. The chess game, entirely based on intelligence, has hosted many tournaments around the world over the years. Most recently, with the release of the chess-themed series The Queen's Gambit on the digital streaming platform Netflix, interest in chess-themed series and movies has surged. In this article, we have compiled a list of chess-themed films for you.
What are the chess-themed series?
- The Queen’s Gambit – 2020
The Queen’s Gambit – 2020 – IMDb: 8.6
The Queen’s Gambit, based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, is a 7-episode mini-series that premiered on Netflix. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen's Gambit has gained massive popularity since its release. Even for those who are tired of playing chess or watching related content, it is a great choice. The series is set in the mid-1950s to the 1960s.
What are the chess-themed movies?
- Wazir – 2016
- The Dark Horse – 2014
- Pawn Sacrifice – 2014
- Life of a King – 2013
- Bobby Fischer Against the World – 2011
- Fresh – 1994
Wazir – 2016 - IMDb: 7.1
Wazir is a 2016 Hindi-language neo-noir action thriller directed by Bejoy Nambiar and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Written and edited by Abhijat Joshi and Chopra, the film stars Farhan Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan alongside Aditi Rao Hydari, Manav Kaul, and Neil Nitin Mukesh.
Based on an original story by Chopra, Wazir tells the story of a suspended Anti-Terrorism Squad officer who befriends a wheelchair-bound chess player.
The Dark Horse – 2014 - IMDb: 7.4
The Dark Horse is a 2014 New Zealand drama film written and directed by James Napier Robertson, starring Cliff Curtis and James Rolleston. The film earned critical acclaim, winning several awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Score at the 2014 New Zealand Film Awards. It also won Best Film at the 2015 Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) and the 2015 San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF).
Pawn Sacrifice – 2014 - IMDb: 6.9
Pawn Sacrifice is a 2014 American biographical drama film about chess player Bobby Fischer. It depicts his struggle against the top Soviet chess masters during the Cold War and his iconic match against Boris Spassky at the 1972 World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Directed by Edward Zwick and written by Steven Knight, the film stars Tobey Maguire as Fischer, Liev Schreiber as Spassky, Lily Rabe as Joan Fischer, and Peter Sarsgaard as William Lombardy.
Life of a King – 2013 - IMDb: 6,9
The film Life of a King tells the true story of Eugene Brown (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.), a former convict who starts the Big Chair Chess Club for inner-city youth in Washington, D.C.
Bobby Fischer Against the World – 2011 - IMDb: 7.4
Bobby Fischer Against the World is a feature-length documentary film that explores the life of chess Grandmaster and 11th World Champion Bobby Fischer. The film includes interviews with chess players such as Anthony Saidy, Larry Evans, Sam Sloan, Susan Polgar, Garry Kasparov, Asa Hoffmann, Friðrik Ólafsson, Lothar Schmid, and others.
Fresh – 1994 / IMDb: 7.5
Fresh is a 1994 American crime film written and directed by Boaz Yakin in his directorial debut, with Randy Ostrow and Lawrence Bender serving as producers.
The story centers around a young boy named Michael, nicknamed Fresh (played by Sean Nelson), who sells drugs for gangsters. Inspired by the chess lessons from his alcoholic father (portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson), a speed chess master, Fresh devises and executes a brilliant plan to escape the desperate life he shares with his drug-addicted sister (N'Bushe Wright).
