The chess championships in Geneva pit seasoned communist “Akiva” (Michel Piccoli) against former Soviet player “Pavius” (Alexander Arbatt), and the animosity between them is palpable; he declines to even acknowledge his opponent with a handshake. It becomes apparent that Akiva is struggling with health concerns, but Pavius also has personal difficulties—his wife, who didn’t join him in defecting, is initiating divorce proceedings and quickly finds herself entangled in other matters. Amidst the intense media coverage, this story explores both men's lives as it attempts to reveal the reasons for their conflict, all set against a backdrop of political pressure and ideological importance for each side. Those familiar with the Spassky and Fischer match from the 1970s will understand how much weight was placed on these intellectual battles, and the film seems to want to leverage those historical tensions somewhat. However, the rapid pace at which the games unfold—with minimal attention given to the strategy or skill involved—leaves one feeling intellectually unfulfilled. The emphasis shifts more toward the dramatic aspects of their personal lives, and the production itself feels lacking in inventiveness. I was disappointed by both the portrayals of the characters and the political elements that seemed promising but ultimately fell short. It’s acceptable enough to watch, though I've witnessed riskier situations on a dance floor late at night.

Source on TMDB