Tobey Maguire and Liev Schreiber Recreate Match of the Century in ‘Pawn Sacrifice’

Sandra Miska

Tobey Maguire, the actor who was once known as “Spider-Man,” is now legendary chess champion Bobby Fischer in the biographical thriller “Pawn Sacrifice.”

“Pawn Sacrifice” focuses on Fischer’s life during the most important match of his career.  During the height of the Cold War, Fischer finds himself between two superpowers after he challengers Soviet Grandmaster Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber).  The two men soon find themselves with the whole world as an audience at the 1972 World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland, dubbed “the Match of the Century.”

“Pawn Sacrifice” will also explore Fischer’s struggle with paranoia and his sometimes turbulent childhood in Brooklyn. Lily Rabe plays Joan Fischer; Bobby’s older sister who bought him his first chess set and taught him how to play.

Maguire also served as a producer on “Pawn Sacrifice.”  It took him ten years to secure the financing that was needed to complete the film.  He recently spoke with Variety about being drawn to the role of Fischer.

“I was aware of Bobby and dug in and did some research, and had to contemplate it a bit. The current Fischer at the time was a recluse and was really harsh and critical of things in a way that was inappropriate. I didn’t like that. But in digging deeper into his life and compartmentalizing different things, I thought it would be a really fascinating thing to do. And to try to tell the character story of Fischer, but in kind of sports movie way.”

All of Liev Schreiber’s dialogue in the film is reportedly in Russian, a remarkable feat considering the actor was unfamiliar with the language prior to accepting the role of Spassky.

Considered to be a fictionalized version of the 2011 documentary “Bobby Fischer against the World,” “Pawn Sacrifice” was penned by “Eastern Promises” screenwriter Steven Knight.  The film was directed by Edward Zwick, the man behind films such as “Blood Diamond,” ”Legends of the Fall,” and “Glory.”

“Pawn Sacrifice.” opens Sept. 16 in Los Angeles and New York, Sept. 18 in other select cities, and Sept. 25 nationwide.