Searching for Bobby Fischer
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Searching for Bobby Fischer

Year:
Duration:
109 min | Canada:93 min (Ontario)
Genres:
Biography | Drama
IMDB rate:
7.5
Director:
Steven Zaillian
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 8 nominations
Details
Country: USA
Release Date: 1993-08-11
Filming Locations: New York City, New York, USA
Earnings
Gross: $7,266,383 (USA) Related Links
Cast
Actor
Character
Max Pomeranc
Josh Waitzkin
Joe Mantegna
Fred Waitzkin
Joan Allen
Bonnie Waitzkin
Ben Kingsley
Bruce Pandolfini
Laurence Fishburne
Vinnie
Michael Nirenberg
Jonathan Poe
Robert Stephens
Poe's Teacher
David Paymer
Kalev
Hal Scardino
Morgan
Vasek Simek
Russian Park Player
William H. Macy
Tunafish Father
Laura Linney
School Teacher
Anthony Heald
Fighting Parent
Steven Randazzo
Man of Many Signals
Chelsea Moore
Katya Waitzkin
Josh Mostel
Chess Club Regular
Josh Kornbluth
Chess Club Regular
Tony Shalhoub
Chess Club Member
Austin Pendleton
Asa Hoffman
Tom McGowan
Reporter
Ona Fletcher
Reporter
Kamran Shirazi
Himself
Joel Benjamin
Himself
Roman Dzindzichashvili
Himself
Jerry Poe McClinton
Park Player
Matt De Matt
Night Park Player (as Matt De Matt Reines)
Robert vincent Smith
Washington Square Patzers (as Vincent Smith)
Jerry Rakow
Washington Square Patzers
William Colgate
Statistician
Tony De Santis
Journalist
R.D. Reid
Final Tournament Director
Anthony McGowen
Park Dealer
Katya Waitzkin
82nd Girl
Ryder Fleming-Jones
Petey
Harris Krofchick
Running Chess Kid
John Bourgeois
Gym Parent
Maria Ricossa
Gym Parent
Caroline Yeager
Screaming Mom
Andrew Sardella
Josh's Syracuse Opponent
Nathan Carter
Josh's Teammate
Nicholas Taylor
Birthday Friend
Jonathan Fazio
Birthday Friend
Nicky Mellina
Birthday Friend
Philip Neiman
Birthday Friend
Elizabeth Gropman
Birthday Friend
Bobby Fischer
Himself
Matt Birman
Father (uncredited)
James Garrigan
Cyclist (uncredited)
Bruce Pandolfini
Man in Washington Park (uncredited)
Did you know?
Trivia
Laurence Fishburne's role was originally offered to Ice-T.
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Near the beginning of the movie, when Josh's mom picks him up from school, the shorter, brown-haired woman she is seen talking with briefly is the mother of the real Josh Waitzkin.
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Josh Waitzkin's first opponent in the National Championships ("ranked 82nd") is played by the Josh's real-life sister, Katya Waitzkin.
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Goofs
Josh tells Vinnie he learned the "Schliemann Attack" from his teacher. Actually there's no such thing. It's the Schliemann Defense. Also, when Vinnie asks, "What's that?" referring to the "attack," Josh actually hasn't yet made the move that would prompt him to say this, he's just playing the opening move of the standard Ruy Lopez (1. ... e5), so there'd be no reason for Vinnie to say "What's that?" at that point. The move that makes it "Schliemann" (3. ...f5) hasn't yet been played.
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When Josh's mom throws Bruce out of her house, he gets up from the table twice.
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At the end of the final game, when Josh offers his rival a draw, his thumb is alternative seen up and down.
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Quotes
Bruce Pandolfini: Bobby Fischer held the world in contempt.
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Bonnie: He's not afraid of losing. He's afraid of losing your love. How many ball players grow up afraid of losing their fathers' love every time they come up to the plate?
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Bruce: Do you know what it means to have "contempt" for your opponent?
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Faq
Q
Has there really ever been a chess player named "Jonathan Poe"?
A
At the end of the movie, Josh is seen playing a tough opponent named Jonathan Poe in the final tournament. The character Jonathan Poe was not the actual name of Josh's opponent, however. His real name was Jeff Sarwer (a boy younger than Josh). Near the end of the game, where Josh offers Poe a draw, Poe rejects the offer of a draw and play continues. Sarwer rejected the draw in the real world as well. Josh played Sarwer to a draw (the two kings were the only pieces left on the board), and they were declared co-champions.
Q
Is "Searching for Bobby Fischer" based on a book?
A
Joshua Waitzkin remains a well-known and popular chess figure, largely owing to Paramount Pictures' 1993 movie Searching for Bobby Fischer, directed by Steven Zaillian. The script for this film was based on a 1988 book by Joshua's father, Fred Waitzkin: Searching for Bobby Fischer: The Father of a Prodigy Observes the World of Chess.
Q
Are the actual moves in the Waitzkin versus Sarwer match avaliable?
A
The actual moves are available here http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1473029
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Photos from cast
Dan Hedaya
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