The Queen’s Gambit is the latest Netflix show everyone’s obsessing about, and one thing people are fascinated with is its depiction of the complicated world of chess. If you’re looking for more depictions of this mind-bending board game in pop culture, make sure to watch these three movies.
Queen of Katwe
Queen of Katwe tells the true story of the Ugandan chess player Phiona Mutesi. She was introduced to the game of chess at a young age while facing adversity in her home country, and this game helped her turn her life around and make it to the Women’s Chess Olympiad.
Pawn Sacrifice
Bobby Fischer is one of the biggest chess legends of all time, and it goes without saying there are several movies about his life. This drama starring Tobey Maguire is set during the Cold War and shows Fischer facing the top Soviet chess grandmasters.
Life of a King
Life of a King is another true story of the ex-convict Eugene Brown, played by Cuba Gooding Jr. He discovers his talent for chess while in prison, and uses his newfound passion to start a chess club for inner-city teenagers in Washington.
