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Duration
120 minutes

Quick Summary

US chess prodigy Bobby Fischer finds himself caught between two superpowers and his own struggles as he challenges the Soviet Empire, highlighting the intense political backdrop of the Cold War era. The drama, in the production, stars prominently Tobey Maguire.

About This Program

Pawn Sacrifice is a programme that takes the form of a movie, classified within the drama genre. It tells its story through a conventional cinematic structure, focusing on a real‑life figure from the world of competitive chess. The production presents its narrative as a feature‑length work, using the medium of film to depict the events surrounding its central character and the personal pressures he faces. The narrative centres on Bobby Fischer, an American chess prodigy, who becomes entangled in the rivalry between two superpowers. As he prepares for a high‑stakes match, Fischer is not only confronting the Soviet Empire on the chessboard but also grappling with his own inner conflicts. The film portrays his struggle to balance the external political tension with personal doubts, illustrating how the pressure of representing his country intertwines with his private challenges. The drama features Tobey Maguire in the role of Fischer, providing the central performance around which the story revolves. Maguire’s portrayal presents the chess champion’s experiences without embellishment, allowing the audience to follow the sequence of events that lead to his confrontation with the Soviet side. His involvement anchors the film’s focus on the interplay between the competitive match and Fischer’s personal journey. Overall, Pawn Sacrifice delivers a straightforward account of Fischer’s challenge to the Soviet Empire, framed within the broader context of Cold War rivalry and his own internal battles, all presented through a dramatic cinematic lens.

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Pawn Sacrifice broadcasts on Sky Cinema Drama at 7:55am, Thursday, 29 January 2026. (Subtitles)

Channel Numbers:
Sky HD309Sky310Virgin410

Production Details

Year2014
Runtime115 mins
DirectorEdward Zwick

Cast & Crew

EZ
Edward ZwickDirector
RW
Robin Weigertas Regina Fischer
TM
Tobey Maguireas Bobby Fischer
LR
Lily Rabeas Joan Fischer
PS
Peter Sarsgaardas Fr Bill Lombardy
AG
Alexandre Gorchkovas Iivo Nei
SD
Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrickas Teenage Bobby Fischer
MS
Michael Stuhlbargas Paul Marshall
EZ
Edward Zinovievas Efim Geller
LS
Liev Schreiberas Boris Spassky