7 Chess Movies You Should Watch
If you’re on the hunt for thrilling and inspirational chess movies, you’ve come to the right place!
Ever since we watched The Queen’s Gambit, we have been searching for more movies on chess that perfectly capture the essence of the game and also the stories behind the players.
Some might be under the impression that chess movies are about players and their games. But we’re here to tell you that there is so much more to it. Each film peels back layers and uncovers drama and intrigue.
We found several movies that are going to keep you seated, so let’s jump right in.
7 Chess Movies You Should Definitely Watch
Here’s our list of some of the best chess films you need to watch as soon as possible.
1. Searching For Bobby Fischer - 1993
Despite its title, the movie is actually not about Bobby Fischer himself. It’s the heartwarming story of Josh Waitzkin. Who, at the tender age of seven, falls in love with the game of chess.
The movie is based on the book by Waitzkin’s father, Fred Waitzkin. In it, Fischer is more of a symbolic figure representing the ultimate chess genius.
What we find interesting is how the story contrasts Josh’s journey with Fischer’s obsessive and sometimes troubled relationship with chess. It asks whether Josh will follow in Fischer’s footsteps or find a healthier balance between his childhood and talent.
You witness the story of a young boy who finds maturity and learns about himself and life through chess, facilitated by three separate and different “father” figures.
It beautifully captures how a child thinks and behaves without being dismissive.
If you’re looking for a great chess movie, this one tops our list. It questions the importance of games and whether they’ve become so crucial we lose sight of people and purpose.
Is winning more important than fun? It explores the relationship between a father and son.
After Frank Waitzkin recognizes his son’s gift and fascination, he begins to apply subtle pressure. Soon, winning becomes important — so important that Josh is afraid to fail at the game and lose his father’s love.
His two mentors helped him understand the game inside out and offered different perspectives, which was a great learning opportunity for Josh.
The movie explores Frank’s love for Josh and the pressure he puts on the young child. We see the expectations his coaches have for the young player and try to mold him into a chess-playing machine while fighting his own demons.
The focus of the film is on the people, emotions, and struggles surrounding young Josh as he navigates the intricately complex and challenging world of chess.
Here’s a fun fact for you – Katya Waitzkin, Josh Waitzkin’s real-life sister, is in this movie, and she plays a competitor who faces him early on.
2. Queen of Katwe - 2016
Another one of our favorite chess movies is The Queen of Katwe, directed by Mira Nair, which tells the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl living in the slums of Katwe, Uganda.
It’s a story about how an unexpected encounter can completely change a person’s life. In this case, Phiona meets Robert Katende, a missionary who teaches local kids how to play chess.
Under Katende’s guidance, Phiona learns and becomes a chess prodigy which propelled her to stardom and helped her family rise from poverty. She faces numerous challenges, not only on the chessboard but also from her difficult living situation and her protective mother.
The cinematography by Mira Nair is stunning, and it captures the themes of hope, resilience, and the power of education.
This is one of the best movies about chess, and it is more than your typical sports drama. It showcases the socio-economic divide Phiona faces while bringing out the importance of family and a supportive community.
Phiona’s journey of growth not only as a chess player but also as a woman overcoming massive hurdles is an absolute joy to watch.
3. Pawn Sacrifice - 2014
Another one of the best chess movies out there is Pawn Sacrifice, a film that focuses on Bobby Fischer’s 1972 World Chess Championship match against Boris Spassky.
You know what makes this story truly stand out in our opinion? Sure, you get to see the legendary chess match, but it also portrays those storylines by carefully weaving in psychological tension. You get a deeper insight into Fischer’s mind and also his psyche. We witness just how his genius was at odds with his paranoia.
Being a prodigy is not easy. It can cause mental and emotional burdens, and the movie perfectly exemplifies what Fischer went through during the Cold War. His paranoia made him think that the Soviet players were rigging tournaments, and you could see how uncomfortable and on edge he was during his match against Spassky. Simple things like the camera rolling made him lose concentration.
Actually, there are rumors that Fischer apparently made very specific demands, such as having a custom chair made to keep him focused.
This chess movie captures the escalating delusions and the rising stakes sometimes associated with a high-stakes tournament. It showcases the clash of ideologies between two parties — Fischer representing the US and Spassky representing the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
It’s an emotional movie, for sure, and it expertly portrays the weight of the expectations, the psychological toll, and the rising conflicts. We highly recommend you watch it if you haven’t already.
4. The Dark Horse - 2014
Pawn Sacrifice wasn’t the only chess movie that came out in 2014 — The Dark Horse came out just a few months earlier.
It’s another movie that blends chess with human psychology. In this case, we witness the real-life story of Genesis Potini and his struggle with severe bipolar disorder. Personally, we love a good underdog story, and this is a great example of that.
While some might say the underdog theme is too sentimental or overused, we cannot help but admire the underlying message of inspiration and power.
Right from the start, we see Potini's internal turmoil as he wanders in the rain and finds solace in a local shop with a dusty chessboard.
The movie is not just a simple story of a man battling his inner demons and his love for chess. It’s so much more complex. Potini is a man of Maori descent and is facing poverty and violence in his everyday life. He has to deal with the emotional weight of having his family members join the gangs. We see just how difficult it is for him to navigate his father’s gang culture and his personal plight to provide a way out for the youngsters in his community through chess.
His principles surrounding the game, such as “protect the king” and “no piece left behind,” symbolize his ultimate goal for unity and survival in a harsh world.
The movie tugs at your heartstrings with its raw and powerful way of portraying vulnerability. So, if you want to watch a movie that shows you relentless optimism, no cliched sentiments, and the grim realities of a person’s life and his love for chess, this is the one for you.
5. The Luzhin Defence - 2000
We found a movie we hadn’t watched before and were so intrigued by it. Based on the novel by Vladimir Nabokov, The Luzhin Defense follows the story of Aleksandr “Sascha” Luzhin, a talented but tormented chess player. He competed in an international chess tournament during the 1920s.
What’s immediately obvious about Luzhin is his characteristics — he is socially awkward and intensely focused on chess.
Despite having found love in his life and some stability, his past catches up with him in the form of his mentor — Valentinov, who used to exploit his talents and is out for revenge.
The movie is realistic where we see how external forces can derail your progress, despite how far you have come. In this case, the mentor deliberately manipulates Luzhin’s opponent, leading to his mental deterioration.
It explores various themes — love, obsession, and mental illness. It shows us Luzhin’s dependency on chess as a gift and also as a downfall. But we will not spoil the entire story here. We watched it recently, and it left us with an array of emotions and lasting impressions.
6. Brooklyn Castle - 2012
If you work hard, you get the results, right? It’s a message we have heard since our early school years (sometimes even now) — we hear it so often because it’s true, and it applies to everyone in every field.
There is a movie on chess that follows a dedicated team of young chess players in a public school in Brooklyn.
They come from mostly lower-income, minority families, and they work hard to defy economic odds to become national chess champions. This is an inspirational story that shows five students navigating the intense demands of competitive chess and personal challenges.
It shows us the realities of public schools. The budget cuts, struggle for grants, and personal turmoil within families. Yet, despite all of this, through sheer hard work and unyielding support, the kids achieve historic wins and become the first team to secure the US Chess Federation’s championship title.
We see the commitment to chess, to practice, and to personal growth. It shows us the transformative power of chess and how practice and support break barriers and create new opportunities.
7. The Chess Players - 1977
Shatranj Ke Khilari, or The Chess Players, is a masterpiece that portrays the British invasion of India as a game of chess. It’s less about kings and queens and more about a kingdom falling apart.
It presents the life of two wealthy nobles who are passionate about chess against the historical backdrop of the British East India Company’s expansion.
It brilliantly showcases their indifference to the approaching political crisis and mirrors the neglect of their personal responsibilities. A theme that India’s ruling elite enabled the British takeover by remaining self-centered.
Their game of chess shows us the reality of their kingdoms under threat.
This is one of the best chess movies that serves up rich visuals and sharp dialogues. Its nuanced directions show the haunting reality of irony in every scene. We cannot sell this more, so grab your popcorn and get ready for the intellectual entertainment of your life.
Final Thoughts
We hope that our list shows you that chess movies go way beyond the game. These are some of our favorite chess movies. However, we want to mention more movies, such as, Fresh and Life of a King, that are worth the watch as well.