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'Pawn Sacrifice': Something fischy about this whole business . . .

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Billy Wonka

I enjoyed this because it caught me up to Fischer and his antics that I paid so little attention to in the '70's. I did not remember all his stunts and what a sick puppy he really was. It was tough on him being a chess genius and a Cold War Warrior at the same time.

Maguire did a great job portraying the man who was barely sane enough to function. Peter Sarsgaard was excellent as a childhood friend and player who had become a priest and Michael Stuhlbarg good as the long-suffering legal counsel who worked for Fischer. Liev Schreiber played the quietly confident Boris Spassky who seemed unshakable and unbeatable.

The film begins with childhood Bobby and his insecurities about his Russian mother and her "activities" with their Russian speaking friends. As Bobby grew so did his arrogance and insecurities which came to a head while playing Spassky for the world championship. The film has a somewhat documentary feel with film and tv clips of the times edited into the main flow. The action mounts until the pivotal sixth game which Fischer won with brilliant play applauded by Spassky.

This is far from perfect but it is a great refresh of the not-so-distant history that was the Cold War and chess for blood.

Follow Ups:

RE: 'Pawn Sacrifice': Something fischy about this whole business . . . - Bill the K 20:13:40 01/24/16 (0)
Reminds me of the time when I was glued to the TV for live analysis of the World Championship match in Iceland. When a move was made, the grandmasters of the NY Chess club would shout 'There is a move', 'There is a Move'! Then they would analyse the move and it was so very interesting. The most thrilling experience that I will never forget was the Fischer move of the Knight to Rook 4, a most unorthodox move and Spassky was so confused he made several errors. The NY guys did not know what to tell us either. It was one of the greatest moves ever made in World Championship.

Bill
maybe you should see: Bobby Fischer Against the World which is excellent... - PhilJ 06:19:43 01/23/16 (1)
...
- Did see it - Daryl Zero 16:04:42 01/23/16 (0)
  Documentary vs. drama. Both were good.
RE: 'Pawn Sacrifice': - Daryl Zero 21:51:35 01/22/16 (1)
I saw Pawn Sacrifice about Fischer v. Spassky. I was a chess player in high school in the early to mid-1970s and younger people don't really know how important that chess match was to the US. The movie did a great job showing the climate. Clearly more a labor of love as a movie. I don't even remember it playing in the theaters as I saw it at a cheap show. Very worth while. Really hit Fischer's dementia though and that is a bit hard to watch.
I used to read books which Fischer's bizarre behavior was depicted more like sportsmanship but now it is obvious that he was paranoid and delusional even back then. Fischer was correct that the Soviets stacked the system by having players agree to short draws in order to save their energies to play non-Soviet players.
The movie did not really show (1) that several US players stepped aside in order for Fischer to qualify for the World Championship cycle (called at the time the Candidate matches) and (2) the Candidate matches consisted of several one on one matches played to 6 points (1 pt for a win and 1/2 pt for a draw and 0 for a loss). Championship level play is marked by tons of draws and usually a 1 or 2 win advantage takes the day. Fischer won his first Candidate's match against Soviet Mark Taimanov 6 to 0 (almost unprecedented). His next match was against a very strong Danish player, Bent Larsen whom he beat 6 to 0. His last Candidates match was against a very defensive Soviet player name Tigran Petrosian. Petrosian fared a bit better but still lost 6 1/2 to 2 1/2 (5 wins, 1 loss and 3 draws for Fischer) which is a crushing defeat.
The movie concentrated on Fischer's match with Spassky which was also amazing since Fischer lost the first game and forfeited the second game and still soundly defeated Spassky 12 1/2 to 8 1/2.
While Spassky was depicted as the villain, he was kind of a nice friendly guy interested in life and other things besides chess. It was Fischer who was the chess machine and ultimately the nutcase.
America held Fischer as a hero and yet did little or nothing to support Fischer's rise whereas the Soviet Union was completely supporting their players leading to world dominance. Fischer has also been unfairly portrayed as an evil person given his spouting of nonsensical conspiracy theories, racism etc. The guy was clearly insane and should have been treated rather than taken anything as serious as he was taken. Too bad for his legacy which is amazing for the times.
Here is a nice little review.
- http://artery.wbur.org/2015/09/29/pawn-sacrifice (Open in New Window)
Edits: 01/22/16 01/23/16
- Thanks for that ... - reelsmith. 14:16:53 01/23/16 (0)
  I played chess when I was younger and remember these matches.
  
  I look forward to seeing the film.
  
  Thanks for your post.
  
  Dean.
  
  reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

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