In 1978, young ambitious Soviet chess champion Anatoly Karpov must defend his title against a former mentor and defector to the West Viktor Korchnoi. Their face-off becomes the most dramatic... Read allIn 1978, young ambitious Soviet chess champion Anatoly Karpov must defend his title against a former mentor and defector to the West Viktor Korchnoi. Their face-off becomes the most dramatic championship match in chess history.In 1978, young ambitious Soviet chess champion Anatoly Karpov must defend his title against a former mentor and defector to the West Viktor Korchnoi. Their face-off becomes the most dramatic championship match in chess history.
- Director
- Writer
- Stars
- Awards
- 5 wins & 1 nomination total
Konstantin Khabensky
- Viktor Korchnoy
- (as Konstantin Khabenskiy)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Good sport biopic, much better than "moving up" and others SB for last years. Excellent game of Khabensky and very neat to real events. So, don't miss.
I don't understand why it has so low rating. It's awesome movie about chess. Firstly, the scenario shows the rivalry between two great chessmen: Karpov and Korchnoi. I like that it nas some flashbacks to Karpov's childhood. Secondly, the cast is grrat, especially Konstantin Habenskiy as Korchnoi. Thirdly, I like how mind process was shown due to game
So, it's great film about chess.
This movie deserves 10.
Konstantin khabensky deserves an oscar for great acting.
I loved the story, vfx, atomsphere, acting, score, directing, everything. Its glamorous, better than most of the hollywood movies.
P. N. I knew every thing that konstantin involved would be great and also watched because of him. The movie got me from the first moment to the last minute. I also like how they compared the chess table to a battle ground, the rivals watching around. It was mesmorising. Well job done.
For a not russian i hope someone created a website that provides english subtitle to russian movies and tv shows, because most of the shows dont have. If you know any site please let me know.
Konstantin khabensky deserves an oscar for great acting.
I loved the story, vfx, atomsphere, acting, score, directing, everything. Its glamorous, better than most of the hollywood movies.
P. N. I knew every thing that konstantin involved would be great and also watched because of him. The movie got me from the first moment to the last minute. I also like how they compared the chess table to a battle ground, the rivals watching around. It was mesmorising. Well job done.
For a not russian i hope someone created a website that provides english subtitle to russian movies and tv shows, because most of the shows dont have. If you know any site please let me know.
Among other films or TV series shot on the wave of increased interest in the topic of chess, I think this is quite a good option.
For knowledgeable people, this will be a curious artistic interpretation of history. As an amateur in this matter, it was just interesting for me to watch what was happening and get lost with delight in words like "endgame", "debut" or the visual thought process of chess players.
I also quite liked the presented entourage of the Soviet era. Interiors, clothes, this sincere patriotism and team spirit ... the only thing that really disappointed was the disclosure (or rather complete absence) of the character of Konstantin Khobensky, grandmaster Korchnoi. I think he was not necessarily a good person, but definitely an interesting and creative person. And in the film we see only an angry man on the verge of madness.
The main character has principles, life problems, accompanying experiences, and so on, and so on. I would like the same from the picture of the "villain".
In general, a good film to broaden your horizons.
For knowledgeable people, this will be a curious artistic interpretation of history. As an amateur in this matter, it was just interesting for me to watch what was happening and get lost with delight in words like "endgame", "debut" or the visual thought process of chess players.
I also quite liked the presented entourage of the Soviet era. Interiors, clothes, this sincere patriotism and team spirit ... the only thing that really disappointed was the disclosure (or rather complete absence) of the character of Konstantin Khobensky, grandmaster Korchnoi. I think he was not necessarily a good person, but definitely an interesting and creative person. And in the film we see only an angry man on the verge of madness.
The main character has principles, life problems, accompanying experiences, and so on, and so on. I would like the same from the picture of the "villain".
In general, a good film to broaden your horizons.
A superb movie based-on a real chess event, one of the best made, if not the best, on the 1978 Baguio City World Chess Championship between Anatoly Karpov and Victor Korchnoi.
Recommended of course to all people. Chess lovers and not!
- (+) Wonderful acting by almost all the cast, especially the two rivals who shone unequivocally.
- (+) Very believable atmosphere throughout, being chess-wise or depicting emotions.
- (+) Very true to the real events, from minute one (introduction) up to the last.
- (+) Masterful depiction and development.
- (+) Great VFX combined with classic camera work.
- (+) Loved Anatoly's father (Evgeniy) and love interest (Veronika) acting. Brought tears to my eyes.
- Nothing negative to my eyes, besides wanting it to have a longer runtime, as in a series!
Recommended of course to all people. Chess lovers and not!
- Screenplay/story: 8.5
- Development: 9
- Realism: 9
- Entertainment: 9.5
- Acting: 9
- Filming/cinematography: 8.5
- Visual/special effects: 9
- Music/score: 9
- Depth: 9
- Logic: 8.5
- Flow: 9
- Drama: 9
- Ending/closure: 9.
Did you know
- ConnectionsReferences Closing Gambit: Korchnoi vs Karpov & The Kremlin (2018)
- How long is The World Champion?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- The World Champion
- Filming locations
- Dom Kino, Moscow, Russia(interiors)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- RUR 700,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $6,241,731
- Runtime
- 2h 25m(145 min)
- Color
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