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Chess and Hollywood have long been close friends, and even when the silver screen was not showing movies that were outright about chess, they never hesitated to slip in some scenes with chess. Here is a look at films where chess makes a cameo appearance but is not the outright star.
Many thanks to readers who sent suggestions and comments. The list has been greatly improved with their help.
Stanley Kubrick was a well-known chess aficionado, and not only had a chess board with pieces on all his movies sets, but would drag actors, personnel, and even reporters into a game. In "The Killing" (1956) a key scene takes place in a chess club, with a perfect line "Shut up, patzer!"
In the science-fiction classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), astronaut Frank Poole plays a game against the ship's AI computer, HAL 9000
In the timeless masterpiece Blade Runner (1982) by Ridley Scott, chess opens more doors than just the mind. Blade Runner was initially shown without the voice-over narration by Harrison Ford and was slammed by an uncomprehending press who viewed it two weeks before the release. Terrified, the studio added it before it hit theatres, and no one could understand what the reviews were complaining about. Ridley Scott's avant-garde vision was for a visual telling.
In the film Young Victoria (2009), about the early reign of Queen Victoria and her famous romance with Prince Albert, they play a game and she tells him how she feels as if she is but a piece in a game.
War Games was an iconic film, that remains relevant today, bringing to the fore the potential dangers of letting a computer be the decision-maker in a war situation. The final scene and line "How about a nice game of chess?" are a part of movie history.
The chess scene from Ingmar Bergman's classic "The Seventh Seal" is quite possibly the most famous movie chess scene of all time. The challenge by the Knight to Death for his life on a wager of a game is wondrous to behold.
The new action spin on Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law features chess on several occasions, and even sports a chess clock as they first appeared. Kudos to whoever gave them that proper guidance.
In the classic James Bond film "From Russia with Love" (one of the best), with Sean Connery and Daniela Bianchi, one of the criminal masterminds is the dastardly Kronsteen who is shown playing for the title against MacAdams. The position in the movies was taken by the awesome game Spassky-Bronstein, without two pawns [thank you Gabriele Mileto - Venice, Italy]. The chess tournament set appearing at the beginning of the film cost $150,000 at the time, and the ceiling above the chess set was actually a matte painting.
In the big screen blockbuster, "Independence Day" (1996) the scientist responsible for saving the human race is shown playing chess with his father in the park.
In the first Harry Potter film, chess is present on a grand scale as the heroes need to play a deadly game of chess. [Thanks Karl Ludwig, Germany.]
The depiction of chess with pieces going for each other was a fallback on past films and even software (Battle Chess anyone?), but great fun all the same.
It is possibly unique in the history of film, when chess becomes a key element in a grand seduction, but both Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, at the height of their careers (and looks), pull it off with sensuality and class
After a successful first film and start of a franchise, X-Men concludes with both hero and villain, played by Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen (best friends in real life), facing each other at the board
Though not chess in the purest sense, the famous holographic game between R2D2 and Chewbacca had children and adults dreaming of the day chess would look so cool. "Let the wookie win".
One of the greatest films of all time, and with an incredible number of lines that are still quoted today. Humphrey Bogart was a singularly strong player, who made money as a street chess hustler before becoming the superstar he was. Ingrid Bergman, was the perfect co-star. Play it again, Sam.
This great tale of a World War II POW camp by one of Hollywood's greatest directors ever, Billy Wilder, is not a dark horror story but a light-hearted suspense film with great performances by William Holden and even an appearance by Otto Preminger, also a great director. Chess appears regularly in the barracks (see the 5:00 point). If you have not seen it, this is a must.
This 2005 flick was written by the tireless Luc Besson, auteur of masterpieces such as Nikita (see the 1990 original) and Léon, and was directed by Guy Ritchie, an excellent British director. In this scene, there is no need to ask about the importance of chess. Thanks to Alberto B. Queiroz, São José dos Campos, Brazil.
This classic film based on a story by Stephen King, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman is quite simply the highest rated film ever, based on popular vote. And with good reason as it comes with brilliant performances, flawless directing and pacing, and a story of redemption to inspire any. Chess and carving chess pieces were Andy's means to stay sane. Thanks to Shep Stevens, Connecticut, USA for the reminder.
This light-hearted comedy by the great Billy Wilder has a famous sabre dance, bringing about difficulties in a chess game at hand. Thanks to Mauro Taiuti, Italy.
The famous remake by John Carpenter of a team of Polar researchers who find something from elsewhere, with memorable special effects. Kurt Russell plays a game against a chess program (Sargon II or III from the looks of it), and has a special antidote against mate. Thanks to Alberto B. Queiroz, São José dos Campos, Brazil.
In this recent comedy by Woody Allen, Larry David plays a crotchety aging man who gives a hilarious chess lesson to a young student at the park. [Many thanks to Eamon Duede, (Chicago, USA) for sharing.]
