Critical Thinking

As a former educator and chess coach, who is an avid player and aficionado of the game, this movie resonates deeply. Chess players the world over will love this movie as it not only features the game, but is also accurate in its portrayal.

Admittedly, there could have been more in the way of character development (Sed's dad and Ito's backstory, for instance) and the minor plot (involving Ito and Andre) trails off a bit leaving the audience with more than a few questions. John Leguizamo inhabits his role as the teacher/coach as per usual and delivers an outstanding performance both as an actor and director. Also, Corwin C. Tuggles' portrayal of Sed was on point and, in my opinion, demonstrates his abilities as a serious dramatic actor and one to watch for the future.

All in all, whether you are a grandmaster or never played chess in your life, there is a lot to love about this heartwarming tale of resilience and overcoming adversity.