Magnus

I saw in an interview once that Magnus said he could remember the exact positions of 10,000 unique games. It's pretty interesting how his mind works. That said, I also want to see a doc about Garry Kasparov's life. I can't say if he is better or worse than Magnus, but he's had some very different experience. He tried to start his own chess organization because FIDE is corrupt, he played chess for the Soviets, he reigned as #1 for an insane amount of time. I wish I was better at chess.

I suppose my appraisal of the film is prepossessed by its historical subtext. Where before chess was ruled by the grandmaster-cum-operator-technician-cum-politician-cum-cyborg-CEO (90s-00s), it has entered a new historical moment that is at once a return to its origins. A moment in which imagination and wonder win the day once more. My last tournament was over a decade ago, but this discovery made me yearn to return to the game (and this despite my lack of corporate sponsorship).

Needed more Dr. Drunkenstein

If you're a fan of chess check this out. It's nothing too special

decent enough but only worth a watch for those already casually interested in the subject.

Really interesting if you are into chess. I assume it sucks if you are not interested.

Great documentary - the cinematography and editing is fantastic, and it's structured really well. It can be hard to find the correct focus for this type of biographical documentary to stay compelling throughout but this film nails it. Paints a great portrait of Magnus and the weight of what he has achieved shines through. My score may be inflated by the fact that I'm above averagely into chess.

More of a checkers man myself.

A celebration of a chess genius. Nothing more, nothing less.