Chess? Of course: Bobby Fischer.
So, what does it mean to go searching for him? After all, there is the man playing chess and then all that other stuff. The weird, megalomaniacal, extreme stuff. For example, was he a Nazi?
The man was…strange. But when you are very, very good at something that only a relatively few folks care about then being really, really strange can draw more attention to what you are good at at. If only [in the beginning] incidentally. But it still puts your thing in the spotlight. So, just as Arnold Schwarzenegger is said to have put bodybuilding on the map, so Bobby Fischer is said to have done the same thing for chess. Though I should point out that chess and bodybuilding are in some respects…worlds removed?
Anyway, aside from the parts that aren’t, this is a true story. Joshua Waitzkin does exist: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Waitzkin
And his story is truly a fascinating one. And though his 15 minutes have long since expired it is still enjoyable to go back to it from time to time in this fantastic movie. How fantastic? Well, it garnered a 100% fresh rating on 34 reviews at RT:
rottentomatoes.com/m/searchi … y_fischer/
Also, aside from being a tale about a kid who was a prodigy at chess, the movie focuses the beam on other interesting facets of “the human condition” as well. Like the role that competition [and fame] plays in our modern world. What it means to be the best at something…and how one’s life can then become reduced down to staying the best. How this can reconfigure “childhood” into a world uttlerly alien to most of us. And then [finally] how Josh Waitskin somehow came to straddle all this and embrace the best of both worlds.
IMDb
[b]The character of Jonathan Poe (Josh’s young rival) was based on real life young chess prodigy Jeff Sarwer. In the National Primary Championship which the climax of the film is based on, Josh and Jeff actually tied for first place, after which Josh won on tie-breaks. While Sarwer would go on to win the World Championship Under 10, he soon disappeared with his sister and father; the family was known for living a travelling lifestyle (no permanent adress, etc.)
In the second half of the movie where Josh’s father brings him back to the park to play with Vinnie, real-life Josh Waitzkin and Vinnie (both much older than actors playing them) are visible in the background.
Bobby Fischer denounced the movie, claiming that it was part of a “Jewish conspiracy” to sully his name and make money off him at the same time.
Most of the characters who were famous chess players were actually played by themselves (Joel Benjamin, Roman Dzindzichashvili). The one exception is Asa Hoffman. The real Asa Hoffman did not like the way he was depicted in the script (he is shown as being neurotic, when the book describes him as being quite self-aware), and refused to cooperate, so he was played by Austin Pendleton.[/b]
at wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searching_ … by_Fischer
trailer: youtu.be/8khmNiamBxo
SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER [1993]
Written and directed by Steven Zaillian
[b]Josh [narrating]: In the days before the event, the whole world wondered if Bobby Fischer would show up. Plane after plane waited on the runway, while he napped, took walks, and ate sandwiches. Henry Kissinger called and asked him to go for his country’s honor. Soon after arriving, he offended he Icelanders by calling their country inadequate because it had no bowling alleys. He complained about the TV cameras, about the lighting, about the table and chairs, and the contrast of the squares on the board. You could tell them, he said, it’s too nice of you. None of this has anything to do with chess of course. But maybe it did. If he won, he’d be the first American world champion in history. If he lost, he’d just be another patzer from Brooklyn. On the 10th move of the 21st game, he countered Spassky’s bishop to king with a pawn to rook. And it was all over. He came home an American hero. He bragged to the world he’d beat the Russians. He delivered. He can now command the same money as heavyweight prizefighters. He was invited to dinner by statesmen and kings. Then Bobby Fischer made the most original, unexpected move of all. He disappeared.
…
Josh: You want to go watch the men in the park?
Bonnie [his mom]: What men in the park?
…
Bonnie: Josh…it’s O.K. to beat him. You won’t hurt his feelings.
…
Josh: Can we go to the dealership now?
Fred [his father]: Well, the game’s not over, yet, Josh.
Josh: Yes, it is.
…
Fred: Clearly, you had me come here so I could see all this. But if you really wanted me to say no to letting my son play, you wouldn’t have bothered. You want me to think you want me to say no, but you actually… want me to say yes.
Bruce: You have no idea what I want. What is chess, do you think? Those who play for fun or not at all dismiss it as a game. The ones who devote their lives to it for the most part insist that it’s a science. It’s neither. Bobby Fischer got underneath it like no one before and found at its center, art. I spent my life trying to play like him. Most of these guys have. But we’re like forgers. We’re competent fakes. His successor wasn’t here tonight. He wasn’t here. He is asleep in his room in your house. Your son creates like Fischer. He sees like him…inside.
Fred: You can tell that by watching him play some drunks in the park?
Bruce: Yes!
…
Bruce: The first lesson went very well, I think.
Bonnie: Oh, good.
Fred: So were you two talking about chess up there?
Bruce: No, it didn’t come up.
…
Bruce: Mate is four moves from the position in front of you. Don’t move until you figure it out in your head. Don’t look to me for a hint.
Josh: I can’t do it without moving the pieces.
Bruce: Yes, you can. Clear the lines of lint in your head, one at a time, and the king will be left standing alone, like a guy on a street corner. Here, I’ll make it easier for you.
[he sweeps the pieces onto the floor]
…
Bruce: His chess ideas are like pieces of his body he’s reluctant to give up. For instance, he simply can’t cope with being told not to bring his queen out too early in the game. Why shouldn’t he? He’s won many a game in Washington Square doing exactly that, why is this suddenly wrong? What I’m trying to teach him and what he’s learning there are two very different things. Park hustlers play tactics, not position. They rely on wild, unpredictable moves meant to intimidate their opponent. Great in a two-minute speed game for drug money, but it’ll cost Josh dearly in real games.
Fred: Well, he’s learning some new words!
Bruce: I was wondering if you could keep him from playing there so much.
Fred: Sure.
Bonnie: No. It’d kill him not to play in the park. He loves it.
Bruce: It just makes my job harder.
Bonnie: Then your job’s harder.
…
Bruce [on the phone]: I don’t know why I O.K.'d this anyway.
Fred: He wants to do this.
Bruce: I should’ve dissuaded him. I grew up playing in tournaments. They have nothing to do with what’s important. They’re about all winning and losing. It’s not chess.
Fred: Ah. Chess is art.
Bruce: That’s right.
Fred: No. Chess is you appreciating the beauty of Josh’s play at 60 bucks an hour.
…
Josh [narrating]: Bobby Fischer studied chess books while his teachers taught other things. When they told him to put his books away, or took them away, he studied in his head. When a science report came back to him once with the words “not satisfactory” written across the top, he wrote under it just as big, “Tough.”
…
Teacher: Mr. Waitzkin…I’m sure he’s very good at this chess thing, but that isn’t really the issue–
Fred: Chess thing?
Teacher: I’m sorry?
Fred: Chess thing.
Teacher: I’m sure he’s good at it, but I’m worried. To make an analogy–if it was like, say… oh, I don’t know… um, cards, Pinochle. For instance.
Fred: Pinochle.
Bonnie: Fred…
Fred: Bonnie…she’s comparing chess to pinochle. What am I supposed to say to that?
Bonnie: She’s trying to make a point. Maybe we should listen. Vinnie thinks he’s spending too much time at it, too.
Fred: Vinnie? Vinnie’s a drug addict. I’m supposed to listen to his opinion, too?
[he turns to the teacher]
Fred: I’m sorry, but your analogy is a very bad one. If you want to make a comparison to something, have it make sense. Compare it to math or music or art, because otherwise it belittles him and it and me.
Teacher: I don’t mean to belittle you–
Fred: Oh, but you are, you are even the way you’re looking at me.
Teacher: Mr. Waitzkin, I think perhaps–
Fred: I’ll tell you how good he is. He’s better at this than I’ve ever been at anything in my life. He’s better at this than you’ll ever be, at anything. My son has a gift. He has a gift, and when you acknowledge that, then maybe we will have something to talk about.
…
Jonathan [after beating Russian Park Player]: Trick or Treat.
…
Jonathan’s teacher: He’s been my student since he was 4 years old. His parents have given him to me. Does nothing but play chess. No other interests.
Bruce: He goes to school?
Teacher: Oh, no.
Bruce: Well, that’s great. You should be proud of yourself.
Bruce: I am. You should watch him play. He reminds me of you…only he never gives up. It’s not a part of his character. He’s not going to disappoint his teacher.
…
Josh: Dad…Maybe we shouldn’t go to the state finals.
Fred: What are you talking about? Of course we’re going. That’s what we’ve worked so hard for.
Josh: If I win… Everybody will say, “Well, of course he won. He’s a top-ranked player.” But if I lose…
Fred: You won’t lose, Josh.
Josh: What if I do?
Fred: You won’t.
Josh: I’m afraid I might.
Fred: Josh…they’re afraid. They’re terrified of you.
…
Josh [to Fred]: Why are you standing so far away from me?
…
Bruce: For all his natural ability, Bobby Fischer studied harder than any player who ever lived. He woke up thinking about chess. He went to bed thinking about it. He dreamt about it. Why? Isn’t it enough to be a natural? If you don’t care about winning, it’s enough, but he wanted to win. He had to be champion, and in order to do that, he had to work, which is what we’re going to do.
Josh: O.K.
Bruce: Promise you won’t argue moves with me, no matter how much you think you’re right.
Josh: I promise.
Bruce: Everything I tell you imagine is coming from him because I know every game he ever played, so, in effect, he’s going to be teaching you, and you’ll become him…All right. Some new rules – no more speed chess. I know you like it, I know it’s fun, but it’s no good. It ruined Arbakov, and it’ll ruin you. And no more games in Washington Square. They’re patzers, and they’re teaching you all the wrong things.
Josh: They’re not patzers.
Bruce: They’re losers, and unless you want to end up just like them, you’ll stay away.
Josh: They’re not patzers.
…
Bruce [sets each chess piece up]: Now, which one is you?
Josh: What do you mean?
Bruce: Which one is you?
Josh: None of them. They’re just pieces.
Bruce [slams the King down in front of Josh]: This is you!
…
Bruce: Do you know what the word contempt means? It’s to think of others as being beneath you, to be unworthy of being in the same room with you.
Josh: I don’t feel that.
Bruce: Well, you better start. Because if you don’t think it’s a part of winning, you’re wrong. You have to have contempt for your opponents. You have to hate them.
Josh: But I don’t.
Bruce: They hate you. They hate you, Josh.
Josh: I don’t hate them.
Bruce: Bobby Fischer held the world in contempt.
Josh: I’m not him.
Bruce: You’re telling me.
…
Bruce: It’s white’s move.
Josh: How many points is it worth?
Brucei: It’s just an opening move.
Josh: I want to know how much it’s worth.
Bruce: Just do it for its own sake. Do it for the love of the game.
Josh: I want to know how many more points I am away to getting the certificate.
Bruce: Forget the certificate.
Josh: Why?
Bruce: I don’t know.
Josh: What do you mean?
Bruce: I don’t care. It’s. White’s. Move.
Josh: I want the certificate.
Bruce [sighs]: You want the certificate. You have to have the certificate.
[gets briefcase]
Bruce: You won’t move until you get the certificate.
[opens it]
Bruce: Fine. You win.
[gives him a copy of certificate]
Bruce: Here’s your certificate.
[Josh takes it]
Bruce: Fill it out. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a piece of paper. It’s a xerox of a piece of paper. Do you want another one
[gives Josh another copy]
Bruce: Do you want 10?
[gives Josh few more copies]
Bruce: Do you want 20?
[continues stacking them on chess board one-by-one]
Bruce: 30? I’ve got a whole briefcase full of them. They don’t mean anything, though.
[Bonnie enters the room]
Bonnie: Get out of my house.
Bruce [sits there grimly a moment and then collects the certificates and prepares to leave]: To put a child in a position to care about winning and not to prepare him is wrong.
Bonnie: Get out of my house.
…
Fred; Look, I know you don’t want to admit it, but he’s right. I mean, you wouldn’t sign your kid up for little league and then not get him a glove. You equip him.
Bonnie: It’s over.
Fred: Bonnie, he’s in a slump. This is a slump. It happens. When you get into a slump, you get out of it eventually. You don’t give up.
Bonnie:This is like baseball to you.
Fred: Hey, this is like anything. If you’re afraid to lose, you lose. If you lose, you get more afraid. He’s afraid.
Bonnie: He’s not afraid of losing. He’s afraid of losing your love. How many ball players grow up afraid of losing their fathers’ love every time they come up to the plate?
Fred: All of them!
Bonnie: He knows you disapprove of him. He knows you think he’s weak. But he’s not weak. He’s decent. And if you or Bruce or anyone else tries to beat that out of him, I swear to God I’ll take him away.
…
Vinnie: What’s that?
Josh: Schleimann attack.
Vinnie: Where’d you learn that from, a book?
Josh: My teacher taught me.
Vinnie: Forget it. Play like you used to–from the gut. Get your pawns rolling on the queen’s side. He didn’t teach you how to win, he taught you how not to lose. That’s nothing to be proud of. You’re playing not to lose, Josh. You’ve got to risk losing. You’ve got to risk everything. You’ve got to go to the edge of defeat. That’s where you want to be, boy - on the edge of defeat.
Josh: But…
Vinnie: But what? Play. Never play the board, always the man. You’ve gotta play the man playing the board. Play me. I’m your opponent, you have to beat me. Not the board, beat me.
…
Bruce: Still planning on going to Chicago for the nationals?
Fred: Yeah.
Bruce: I’ve seen you both at the park.
Fred: Yeah. We’ve been hanging out there a lot.
Bruce: Think that’s a good idea?
Fred: Yes, I do. He’s playing better than ever.
Bruce: How would you know that?
Fred: You’re right. I–I don’t know. But what I do know is that he likes playing again for the first time in a long time.
…
Bruce: I know you think you’re doing what’s best, but you’re setting him up for the biggest disappointment of his life. That other kid isn’t spending his afternoons riding bikes and playing Pac-Man, I can guarantee you that.
Fred: I’m doing the only thing I know how to do for Josh. I don’t know what else to do.
Bruce: Don’t let him go down there to lose. That’s what you can do for him. You’re his father. Forbid it.
Fred: I can’t do that.
Bruce: Fred…he’s going to get killed. There’s not going to be much left of him. You have no idea what a fall like this can do to you.
…
Josh: I can’t beat him.
Bruce: You might be right. I’m not supposed to say that, but you’d know I was lying if I said anything else.
…
Vinnie: There it is!
…
Josh [after taking Jonathan’s queen]: Trick or treat.
…
Bruce [on a move by Jonathan]: That was a mistake.
Fred: What was a mistake? Who made a mistake?
…
Bruce [aloud to himself]: Look deep, Josh. It’s there. It’s 12 moves away, but it’s there. You’ve got him. Take his pawn with your pawn. G takes f6 forking his bishop and rook. Don’t take back with your bishop. You’ll need that to guard e7. He’ll take back, either with his bishop or his knight. When he does, this is the hard part, sacrifice your rook. Capture him on f6 and get him to check. King has to take your rook. He takes f 6. Give him the knight to check e7 forking his king and his rook. He’ll move to safety. King f5. Take his rook with your knight. He’ll take back with his king, and you’ve got him. Don’t move until you see it. Don’t move until you see it. Don’t move until you see it.
[Josh studies the board]
Bruce: He’s got it!
Fred: He’s got it? How do you know he’s got it?
Bruce: He’s got it.
…
[Josh extends his hand for Jonathan to shake]
Jonathan: What’s that supposed to mean?
Josh: I’m offering you a draw.
Jonathan: Draw? You’ve got to be kidding.
Josh: You’ve lost. You just don’t know it.
Jonathan: I’ve lost? Look at the board.
Josh: I have. Take the draw, and we’ll share the championship. Take the draw.
Jonathan: Move. [/b]欀