MovieChat Forums > Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) Discussion > How did he learn to play chess?

How did he learn to play chess?

posted 4 months ago by PrimeMinisterX (8352)
3 replies | jump to latest

Somehow in all the many times that I've watched this movie I never caught the fact, until last night, that it's never explained how he learned to play chess. He just . . . knows how. The mom even makes a comment about how she doesn't know how he knows but he does.

Perhaps he picked the basics of the game up at school, but to play at the level that he does even in the earlier parts of the movie would've required real study.

Anyone have an idea on where he learned to play and how he's as good as he is even before he starts getting real training?

[–] aavfreak (2906) 2 months ago

I think the intent is that he is such a savant that he learned how the pieces move and the basic strategy just by watching the players at the park for the short time he did.

Then he was able to play and beat his dad from the bathtub without even having to look at the board. He could just see it in his mind.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8352) 2 months ago

I guess so. I mean, I certainly don't have a better explanation. While this never bothered me on earlier viewings, in retrospect I think a scene or two where we see him actually being taught a few basics would've helped.

Still a great movie, in any case. In fact, it's one of my most-rewatched movies of all time. It's certainly the best chess movie ever made.

[–] aavfreak (2906) 2 months ago

I agree. At least show him watching in the park with an expression that he's taking in what they are doing. And maybe ask a question or two from the players.