I couldn’t find a quality list of pure chess documentaries.
So I created one!
I scoured YouTube, Reddit, Chess.com and IMDB and the various rabbit holes they sent me down.
I know I can go deeper. But it’s not bad that I have 3 separate docs on 3 different players beating Garry Kasparov, right? Hint: One is not human.
Thx to my good friend, and chess puzzler, Gady Costeff for his tips for this article.
1) Bobby Fischer Against the World
Release date: 2011 Duration: 93 minutes
I give “Bobby Fischer Against the World” the nod as best chess documentary for a few reasons:
- It’s an underdog story (Russia was dominant until Fischer came along) and covers not one, but two dramatic wins against Russia’s best player (Boris Spaasky).
- Fischer’s story has a backdrop of the Cold War, adding extra drama
- There’s a personal twist beyond his chess dominance
- It’s the most comprehensive doc on an all-time top 5 chess player I know of (his FIDE rating of 2785 was the highest ever at that point so he was definitely #1 at that time).
“Bobby Fischer Against the World” is a sharp dive into genius and paranoia.
Directed by Liz Garbus, this doc follows Bobby Fischer, the chess prodigy who became a Cold War hero after beating Boris Spassky in 1972.
It was more than just a chess match—Fischer’s victory symbolized America’s triumph over the Soviet Union. But Fischer’s win came at a personal cost.
Garbus uses archival footage and interviews to show Fischer’s rise and his troubling fall.
As Fischer’s chess fame grew, so did his paranoia. After the Spassky match, Fischer vanished from the spotlight.
His obsession with control and conspiracy theories consumed him. Fischer, once celebrated as a genius, became infamous for his anti-Semitic rants and wild claims.
You can’t make this $hit up: The doc reveals Fischer’s return in 1992 for a rematch with Spassky. And he wins again! Defying a U.S. ban, Fischer pocketed $3.5 million but alienated himself further. His final years were marked by bitterness and isolation.
Susan Polgar is this one too with her commentary on Fischer’s greatness.
Watch “Bobby Fischer Against the World” for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhO5e1kAvBA
I love the doc so much that I created this page that has way more details (including matchplay stuff) and extra links to watch it for free: https://dailydoc.com/bobby-fischer-against-the-world/
2) The Polgar Variant
Release date: 2014
I could have picked”The Polgar Variant” as the best documentary about chess, but I couldn’t find a full copy of the whole doc to watch (see below).
This doc is all about shattering the chess world’s glass ceiling through the eyes of three sisters.
Directed by Yossi Aviram, this doc tells the story of the Polgar sisters—Judit, Susan, and Sofia—Hungarian chess prodigies who took the male-dominated sport by storm.
Their father, László Polgar, believed genius could be nurtured, and chess was the vehicle. His experiment? To raise his daughters as the best chess players on Earth, and it worked.
Judit Polgar became the greatest female player in history, breaking into the world’s top 10 and defeating world champions like Garry Kasparov.
Susan Polgar, the eldest, was the first woman to earn the title of Grandmaster through traditional means.
Sofia, the middle child, was known for her brilliant games, including her famous “Sack of Rome” victory at just 14.
The doc dives deep into their family dynamic, the sacrifices they made, and the sexism they faced. It’s not just about chess; it’s about pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms.
I haven’t found a place to stream “The Polgar Variant”.
But I did find this cool 20 minute CBC/Radia Canada documentary which (at the 4:35 mark) shows footage from “The Polgar Variant”.
There’s also this footage of Judith beating Magnus Carlsen with a Nice Trick in Sicilian Defense (2022) (with Judith’s commentary).
3) Chess Kids (+Special Edition: Nearly 20 Years Later)
Release date: 1996 / Special Edition: 2014
“Chess Kids” is a glimpse into the minds of brilliant, stressed-out child prodigies vying for supremacy at the 1990 World Youth Chess Championship.
There are 2 documentaries:
- “Chess Kids” (1996)
- “Chess Kids Special Edition: Nearly 20 Years Later” (2011) (this is a follow-up to the first doc)
Both are directed by Lynn Hamrick.
I only watched the trailer for the Special Edition (because the full doc is not streaming anywhere).
But if you believe IMDB’s ratings, the sequel “Chess Kids Special Edition” (ranked 8.5 by 31 people) is one of the top-ranked chess docs of all time. .
In the original 1996 Chess Kids, you see young players such as Josh Waitzkin (of Searching for Bobby Fischer fame) and Judit Polgar, who would later become the highest-rated female chess player in history.
Waitzkin, already a star at 13, is cool under pressure.
Polgar? A chess savant from Hungary, pretty much destroys everyone.
We also meet Jeff Sarwer, a Canadian prodigy with raw talent and a wild family backstory.
There’s Katerina Lahno, a quiet force from Ukraine, and a handful of others, each with their own quirks, talents, and intense passion for the game.
In “Chess Kids Special Edition: Nearly 20 Years Later”, we catch up with them to see where life (and chess) has taken them.
Sarwer? He lived in hiding with his father, off-the-grid, only to reemerge as a professional poker player years later.
You can’t make this $hit up: Waitzkin? He quits chess and becomes a martial arts champion.
The only place I see to watch either Chess Kids doc is here:
- on VHS via Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Morgan-Pehme/dp/B00000JGL6
- on VHS via eBay here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385681054458
Check back here to see if any major streamers add the Special Edition doc: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/chess-kids-special-edition
4) Explained: Chess Episode (Netflix)
A solid primer on the history of chess and it’s renewed popularity since 2020.
Includes interviews with such experts as Natasha Regan, Woman International Master and Co-Author of “Game Changer”.
They cover the famous IBM/Garry Kasparaov match of 1997 (spoiler: Big Blue won).
Watch it on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/80216752
5) Magnus
“Magnus” is the story of chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen and his journey to becoming the World Chess Champion.
No, he hasn’t accused anyone of cheating yet (that’ll come out in Netflix Magnus doc mentioned at the bottom of this list).
Directed by Benjamin Ree, the documentary follows Carlsen from his early years as a quiet, socially awkward child in Norway to his rise as one of the greatest chess players of all time.
Carlsen’s mind is different—he doesn’t study chess like others. He relies heavily on intuition, an approach that separates him from the pack.
Ree uses home videos and behind-the-scenes footage to show Carlsen’s path to the 2013 World Chess Championship, where he faced Viswanathan Anand, the reigning champ.
The tension is real as Carlsen, at just 22, battles not only Anand but his own nerves.
The doc shows Carlsen’s genius but also his vulnerability—moments of self-doubt, pressure, and fear of failure.
It’s a humanizing look at a young man burdened by high expectations but driven by his love for the game.
You can’t make this $hit up: As a child, Carlsen memorized all the countries of the world and their populations just for fun—an early hint at the mind that would soon conquer the chess world.
You can watch Magnus for free on Kanopy and Hoopla as well as (with ads) on Tubi and Freevee.
Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/magnus-2016
6) Brooklyn Castle
Release date: 2012 Duration: 101 minutes
“Brooklyn Castle” follows the powerhouse chess team at I.S. 318, a Brooklyn public school where most students live below the poverty line. But they’re the best middle school chess team in the country.
Directed by Katie Dellamaggiore, the doc focuses on five kids: Justus Williams, Rochelle Ballantyne, Pobo Efekoro, Alexis Paredes, and Patrick Johnston.
For them, chess is a ticket to scholarships and a way out.
Budget cuts hit hard, threatening their program.
But these kids don’t give up.
With their coach, Elizabeth Vicary, they fight for every win, on and off the board.
Rochelle Ballantyne is one win away from becoming the first Black female chess master.
You can watch “Brooklyn Castle” for free on Hoopla (with library/student ID), or free (with ads) on Roku and Tubi. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/brooklyn-castle
7) Lex Fridman Interview of Hikaru Nakamura
I know some of you don’t consider an interview a documentary.
I do.
This is a thoughtful and comprehensive interview (2 hours and 48 minutes!) documenting the thoughts and experience of a chess super grandmaster.
And Lex’s questions are awesome!
Some key topics covered (roughly in order):
- Hikaru’s experiences playing against Magnus Carlsen — Hikaru discusses the private blitz match against Magnus in Moscow in 2010. They played 40 games and the final score was 24.5-15.5 in Magnus’s favor. Playing this game was, Hikaru says, “one of the biggest mistakes in terms of competitive chess” (because it allowed Magnus to understand his playing style and weaknesses).
- Chess openings and strategies — Hikaru explains various openings like the Sicilian Najdorf and the Berlin Defense. He discusses how the Berlin Defense, popularized in the 2000 World Championship match between Kasparov and Kramnik, changed high-level chess strategy. He mentions that “Magnus…learned that my weakness was the openings”.
- Psychological aspects of chess: Hikaru talks about the mental grind. Staying at the top is tough. He mentions the pressure of a pro career. Losing often to Magnus Carlsen takes a toll.
- Chess tactics and game analysis: Hikaru breaks down games. He recalls his 2010 “immortal game” against Boris Gelfand. He sacrificed his queen multiple times.
- Evolution of chess with computers: Hikaru explains how Stockfish changed everything. Computers made weird moves playable. Even Kasparov thought those moves were crazy. Now? They’re part of the game.
- Hikaru’s professional chess career: Hikaru shares his rise to Grandmaster. He quit college in 2006 to focus on chess. That gamble paid off.
- World Chess Championship format: Hikaru thinks the current format is broken. Six to nine months of prep leads to too many draws. He wants shorter prep, closer to the Candidates Tournament.
- Hans Niemann cheating controversy: Hikaru weighs in on Hans Niemann’s cheating scandal. He mentions Chess.com’s 72-page report. But there’s no solid proof of over-the-board cheating.
- Streaming and content creation: Hikaru started streaming seriously in October 2018. It changed his chess career. Streaming opened up a new path for him.
- Beauty and philosophy of chess: Hikaru finds beauty in chess. It connects people from all walks of life. And it’s endlessly creative.
You can watch the full interview for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above. Or you can listen to it as a podcast here: https://lexfridman.com/hikaru-nakamura
8) The ‘Queen of Chess’ who Defeated Kasparov
I wanted to include some documentarian footage of Judit Polgar beating Garry Kasparov.
I couldn’t find a full-length doc on this but I did find this BBC doc short.
It’s got Judit providing commentary on her rise and the climax is her beating Kasparaov at the “Russia Versus Rest of the World” in 2002.
Kasparov famously poo-poohed women’s ability in chess in a 1989 interview with Playboy Magazine calling women “helpless” against male opponents.
Watch the doc by clicking the video embed above.
9) Into the Night with Garry Kasparov and Peter Thiel
This isn’t purely on chess, but it does follow chess legend Garry Kasparov and tech billionaire Peter Thiel ((with a near 2300 ELO)) as they roam around New York City discussing everything from artificial intelligence to global politics.
One standout moment is their visit to Columbia University’s AI lab, where Kasparov dismisses the progress made in artificial intelligence.
Later, they head to the Marshall Chess Club, where Thiel plays and wins a game against club president Frank Brady on a board once used by Bobby Fischer.
Kasparov critiques the match, offering insights into Thiel’s play.
This episode is a fascinating mix of chess, technology, and politics, providing a rare glimpse into the minds of two icons.
You can’t make this $hit up: Thiel beating a chess club president on Fischer’s board? Wild.
I watched “Into the night with Garry Kapsarov and Peter Thiel” for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above or going here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rOvEPYNEsc (that’s Garry Kasparov’s channel).
I provide backup links on places to watch it here (I also provide a lot more details about the doc including great quotes):
https://dailydoc.com/into-the-night-with-garry-kasparov-and-peter-thiel/
Note: James Altucher (helped build the Internet Chess Club in 1992) interviewed Peter Thiel in 2023 and exchanged some chess philosophies (including for business) at the 1:13:18 mark here.
10) Odysseus’ Gambit
Release date: 2011
“Odysseus’ Gambit” is the story of Saravuth Inn, a Cambodian immigrant who is homeless in New York City.
Directed by Àlex Lora, the 13-minute doc from 2011 follows Saravuth as he plays chess in Union Square, New York City, hustling games for $5 each.
After being airlifted to the U.S. following the Vietnam War, Saravuth’s hopes for the American dream got lost in the harsh realities of life.
Now, he plays chess to survive another day on the streets.
Lora’s camera captures Saravuth’s quick hands moving pieces, while his mind works to stay ahead—on the board and in life.
Through his games and conversations with passersby, we learn his story of hardship, displacement, and perseverance.
Saravuth’s humor and wit keep him sane (and alive).
Watch “Odysseus’ Gambit” for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above.
11) Glory to the Queen
Release date: 2020
“Glory to the Queen” is about four women who crushed chess and broke barriers.
Directed by Tatiana Khodakivskaya, the 82-minute doc follows four Georgian chess legends: Nona Gaprindashvili, Maia Chiburdanidze, Nana Alexandria, and Nana Ioseliani.
These women dominated during the Soviet era, proving that chess wasn’t just for men.
Each player has a unique story.
They faced pressure from politics, gender bias, and fierce competition.
Nona Gaprindashvili became the first woman to earn the Grandmaster title in 1978—beating men at their own game.
“Glory to the Queen” is about women smashing through walls and rewriting the rules.
These queens didn’t just play—they changed the game forever.
You can watch “Glory to the Queen” for freeon Hoopla (with library card) or Tubi (has ads). Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/glory-to-the-queen
12) Game Over
Release date: 2003
“Game Over” dives into the dangerous world of chess politics, focusing on the bizarre life of Garry Kasparov and his match against a machine—IBM’s Deep Blue.
Directed by Chris Paine, the 72-minute documentary follows Kasparov (who some argue is the greatest chess player of all time) as he faces off against Deep Blue in 1997.
It wasn’t just man versus machine—it was human pride versus cold, hard logic.
The match had the world watching, and Kasparov, known for his emotional intensity, started unraveling as the computer made moves that didn’t seem possible.
The doc captures the mounting tension, as Kasparov accuses IBM of cheating and manipulating the game.
The result? Deep Blue wins, becoming the first machine to defeat a world champion under standard time controls.
You can’t make this $hit up: After losing, Kasparov claimed IBM intentionally retired Deep Blue to avoid a rematch, fueling conspiracy theories that still linger today.
“Game Over” isn’t just about chess—it’s about a man grappling with his own limitations and the future of intelligence.
You can watch “Game Over” on Amazon Prime Video, Roku, Tubi and other places — check here for the latest: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/game-over-kasparov-and-the-machine
13) Closing Gambit: 1978 Korchnoi versus Karpov and the Kremlin
It was a clash of “The Loyal Soviet” (Karpov) against “The Soviet Defector” (Korchnoi).
Release date: 2018 Duration: 85 minutes
“Closing Gambit” takes you inside the most politically charged chess match ever—Viktor Korchnoi vs. Anatoly Karpov in 1978.
Directed by Alan Byron, this doc follows the dramatic battle between Korchnoi, a Soviet defector, and Karpov, the Kremlin’s golden boy.
The stakes?
Not just the World Chess Championship, but the pride of the Soviet Union. It wasn’t just about chess—it was East vs. West, freedom vs. tyranny.
Korchnoi, the rebellious underdog, faced brutal tactics from Karpov’s camp.
From mind games to questionable hypnotists in the audience, Korchnoi battled everything thrown at him.
The Cold War tension is palpable, and the match is packed with psychological warfare that goes beyond the chessboard.
You can’t make this $hit up: Korchnoi’s team included two “Swiss yogis” as part of his defense against the Soviet “psychic attacks.”
Yep, chess got weird.
“Closing Gambit” is about a man standing against an empire, using chess as his weapon.
The match may have been in 1978, but its echoes are still heard today.
You can watch “Closing Gambit” for free by clicking the video embed above or this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vsuLl3Qdu4
Or, you can watch it on Hoopla (with library card) and a bunch of other places if you have a subscription (including Peacock). Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/closing-gambit-1978-korchnoi-versus-karpov-and-the-kremlin
14) Barbaric Genius
Release date: 2011 Duration: 72 minutes
“Barbaric Genius” tells the wild, unpredictable story of John Healy.
He’s a former homeless alcoholic who becomes a chess champion—and later a celebrated author.
Directed by Paul Duane, this documentary chronicles Healy’s journey from the rough streets of London to the world of competitive chess.
Healy, after years of alcoholism and violence, learned chess in prison. The game became his obsession and his way out.
He went on to win chess tournaments and later wrote “The Grass Arena,” a gritty memoir of his life, which brought him literary fame.
But Healy’s life wasn’t just redemption.
The doc reveals his struggles with the publishing world, where he clashed with industry insiders, leading to his eventual banishment from the literary scene.
You can’t make this $hit up: Healy taught himself to play chess in prison and went from an unknown to a feared player, able to outsmart highly ranked opponents in record time.
You can watch “Barbaric Genius” for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above.
The doc used to be on Netflix at one point but is longer there.
Coming Soon: “Carlsen vs. Niemann” on Netflix in 2025
On September 9, 2024, Netflix announced that its Untold brand would release a documentary called “Carlsen vs. Niemann.”
It’ll dive into the 2022 cheating scandal that rocked the chess world.
It centers around the drama that started when Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the Sinquefield Cup after losing to Hans Niemann, hinting that Niemann had cheated—though without direct proof.
The fallout was massive. Niemann even sued Carlsen and others, but the case got tossed.
This doc promises to dig into all the mess, with interviews from key chess figures—including Carlsen himself.
Expect some explosive takes.
Netflix hasn’t given an exact release date except to say that it’ll air in 2025.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc