Release Date: August 11, 1993
MPAA Rating: PG
Genres: Drama, History/Biopic

Who knew that chess, the boardgame with rooks, knights, and pawns, could be a topic for a riveting movie? Whether you believe me or not, I strongly recommend checking out Searching for Bobby Fischer, a thoughtful and uplifting family flick from 1993 that’s based on the true story of 7-year-old chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin. Set in the early 80s, the plot follows his emotional growth as he undergoes training and competes in junior tournaments that build up to a national championship. As the movie itself reveals, the title refers to chess enthusiasts looking out for a youngster who could follow in the footsteps of Bobby Fischer, the American world champion who, amid the Cold War in 1972, defeated Boris Spassky and thereby ended an era of Soviets dominating the game.

This is a prime example of a movie that has both artistic value and redemptive themes, even if not many people have seen it. Director and writer Steven Zaillian has boasted a long and notable career that also includes writing Steven Spielberg’s 1993 Holocaust epic Schindler’s List and co-writing Bennett Miller’s 2011 baseball statistics drama Moneyball, both of which are also based on real events. Like Moneyball, Searching for Bobby Fischer (Zaillian’s directorial debut) is an example of filmmakers taking niche subject matter and proceeding to engross you with effective characters and storytelling.

Lead actor Max Pomeranc delivers an exceptional child performance in the role of Josh. His acting shines not merely because he happens to be cute but because he avoids any overacting with his voice or body language. Instead, the character gets to convey volumes of emotion through his eyes, such as when he knowingly allows his father to beat him in a round of chess, or when he bears sympathy toward the losing team at a Little League baseball game. Partly due to Pomeranc’s performance, Josh is an endearing protagonist who has an acute mind for chess, as well as a warm heart that desires to play nice with others, respect his parents, and enjoy life.

Pomeranc is surrounded by an impressive supporting cast. Standouts include Ben Kingsley as Bruce Pandolfini (the professional coach hired to train Josh), Laurence Fishburne as Vinnie (a street-smart park player who helps him develop his passion for chess), Joan Allen as Bonnie Waitzkin (Josh’s mother, the character with the best understanding of his emotional needs), and Joe Mantegna as Fred Waitzkin (the father, who becomes overly fixated on Josh’s talent for a time but ultimately proves to have deep love for his son).

Many of the chess match scenes are engagingly shot and edited in a way that grips you like a car chase. Conrad Hall’s cinematography (which earned an Oscar nomination) subtly immerses you in the mood and atmosphere of the movie, rather than having shots that draw attention to themselves. Also notable is Hall frequently using close-ups that allow you to read characters’ faces, which is especially important during the chess matches. The beautiful music by James Horner often leans on the understated side (such as by featuring a gentle piano) but also knows the right moments to arrange a swelling and triumphant orchestra.

On a surface level, Searching for Bobby Fischer is a charming movie about a 7-year-old boy who plays chess. But, on a deeper level, this is a powerful reflection on drawing a line between diligence and obsession as we invest ourselves in a talent or passion. Through Josh’s journey, we witness the necessity of finding balance in life, rather than focusing on an activity to the point where we ironically drain our enjoyment of it. We also see that obsession with winning can cause us to lose our humanity toward others, such as in how the character Jonathan Poe, a boy who rivals Josh in chess, views his opponents with cold and calculating eyes. Bobby Fischer himself also becomes a cautionary figure in this way; through segments narrated by Josh and showcasing archive footage, we learn that Fischer was sadly prone to reclusive and contemptuous behavior.

In addition, parents who see this movie will be reminded about the importance of loving their children for who they are, rather than for their achievements. Bonnie the mother, who aims to protect Josh’s decent and compassionate heart, and Fred the father, who aims for Josh to develop his talent and succeed, represent contrasting approaches to parenting that can prompt healthy discussion. As Christians, we can take the movie’s worldview a step further to beware against idols in our hearts; when we seek our ultimate fulfillment in God as He intended, talents and passions become gifts from His hand that we receive with thankfulness. Nothing more and nothing less.

Searching for Bobby Fischer made only $7.3 million at the box office during its theatrical run, which may help explain why it was ignored at the Oscars (aside from the lone nomination for Conrad Hall’s cinematography). However, evidence suggests that it has gained some traction over the years. It’s one of the rare movies on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes that has a perfect score of 100% from critics. (Plus, it has an audience score of 86%, based on more than ten thousand ratings.) And, in 2006, a poll of more than 1,500 film industry professionals led to it being included on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 most inspiring movies ever made, ranking at #96.

I must admit that Searching for Bobby Fischer might be too calm and reflective to hold the attention of especially young viewers. But, for discerning families with kids in their preteens or older, this is an excellent choice for a movie night. As viewing options go, you can watch it on the streaming service Paramount+, or you can rent or buy it digitally on Amazon Prime. If you prefer to save a few dollars, you can borrow it on DVD or Blu-Ray through your local library.