Watch Kids' Reviews of
SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER (HDNET)

I like this movie because it's about chess, and although I don't know how to play, I learned a lot about it. This 1993 film is about a seven-year-old boy named Josh Waitzkin, played by Max Pomeranc, who learns how to play chess by watching the men in the park play all the time. His parents, Fred and Bonnie (Joe Mantegna and Joan Allen), realize their son has a special gift for playing chess and they hire a teacher named Bruce (Ben Kingsley), to help Josh get better. Bruce is a cold-hearted, retired chess player who thinks that Josh should win at any cost. 'Searching for Bobby Fisher,' is an adaptation of the book by the same name written by Fred Waitzkin, Josh's father. It is a true story, and is named for Bobby Fischer, who some call the greatest chess player of all time. My favorite character in this film is Vinnie, played by Laurence Fishburne, one of the men who plays chess at the park. I like Vinnie because he's very supportive of Josh. This film is written and directed by Steven Zaillian and produced by Sydney Pollack. The classical music that sets the mood in this film was composed by James Horner. I recommend this film for boys who are interested in chess between the ages of 7-15. I give this film four out of five stars because it can be a little hard to follow at times. Look for this classic family film on HDNet movies KidScene this month. Camille Bajema, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. I liked this movie because I'm a beginning chess player, so, I play chess too! When America needed a hero, smack in the middle of the cold war, Bobby Fischer showed up to beat the Russians in chess. The Russians had dominated the chess world for many years until Bobby Fischer came onto the scene. He did what was believed at the time to be undoable, and that was to beat the Russians in chess. He only did it one time before he went into hiding. Fischer resurface to challenge the Russians again, which he won, but he's dropped off the map again and nobody knows where he is. My favorite part was when Josh (Max Pomeranc) decides he wants to play chess in the park, where he finds out he is really talented. Vinnie (Laurance Fishburn) teaches Josh how to play aggressive chess. His other teacher (Ben Kingsley) also taught Bobby Fischer how to play chess. My favorite teacher is Vinnie because I can relate to his instructions. "Always attack even when retreating" is a classis chess quote. Here is my favorite, and you can quote me, "When in doubt bring power out". That's your Queen. Vinnie makes chess look fun, which it should be. Another really good part is when Josh offers his opponent in the championships a draw because he could see that in 12 moves he was going to be the winner and he didn't want to hurt the other little boy's feelings by beating him. The little boy refuses. Offering the draw was good sportsmanship. Seeing how a chess game is going to end 12 moves from now, yea, Trick or Treat to you too! The ages are 7 - 100 or anybody who plays or loves chess. I give it 4 Twinkling Stars. Searching for Bobby Fischer is available all month long on HDnet Movies Kids Scene. Morgan Bertsch, age 7, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

HDNet - kidScene re-release. Originally released in 1993.

A pre-pubescent chess prodigy refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion, like the famous, but unlikable, Bobby Fischer.