“Pawn Sacrifice” is a highly fictionalized recounting of the rise of the greatest individual genius the game has known. She was suitably impressed, while my own respect for the achievement was renewed by a second viewing. The wife is not a chessplayer, yet is familiar with the game and its history and is an acquaintance of grandmasters. This week I brought home the DVD to view with my wife, as she had not attended the screening in 2014. When, in 2014, the Denver Chess Club was invited to the focus group screening of “Pawn Sacrifice”, I almost skipped the event.Īfter all, I had twice viewed the meticulously researched “ Bobby Fischer Against The World“, so rich in authentic photos, videos, and interviews with friends, family, and grandmasters who knew Fischer personally.Īnd who was the genius who had cast 5’8″ Tobey Maguire as the 6’1” Bobby Fischer? Was this a comedy?Īu contraire, the film is an underrated masterpiece, one which cost $19M to film and has, at last count after two years, earned about $8M. Paul Marshall: I think he’s afraid of what’s gonna happen if he loses.įather Bill Lombardy: No, he’s afraid of what’s gonna happen if he wins.

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