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Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Bobby Fischer Documentary Wins Award
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The much-acclaimed Bobby Fischer Against the World documentary has won another award - It has been named the best cinema documentary at the Grierson Trust's British Documentary Awards. Bobby Fischer Against the World looked at the rise and fall of the chess grandmaster and his death in 2008, according to a BBC report. The awards, dedicated to Scottish director John Grierson, celebrated their 40th anniversary at a ceremony in London hosted by artist Grayson Perry. Entries needed to have had their first UK screening between 1 May 2011 to 30 April 2012 in order to be eligible.
Bobby Fischer Against the World kept viewers "completely hooked from beginning to end," according to judging panel chairman Chris Harris.Film-maker Kevin Macdonald, of Marley and Touching the Void fame, received the Grierson Trustees' Award.
Channel 4's Gypsy Blood, in which photographer Leo Maguire followed bare-knuckle fighting in gypsy families, picked up the prize for best newcomer documentary.
"From relatively modest beginnings, the Grierson Awards are now truly international and rightly considered the documentary world's equivalent to the Oscars," said Dawn Airey, chairman of the Grierson Trust.
"The past few months have demonstrated more than ever the vital role factual film-makers continue to play in not only illuminating the world around us but also in exposing wrong doing and injustice."
New Chess Book on Bobby Fischer's Final Years in Iceland by Helgi Ólafsson
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone,
A brand new book with fascinating insight into chess genius Bobby Fischer's final years in Iceland has been released. Grandmaster from Iceland, Helgi Ólafsson, was a good friend of the late Fischer. The book, 'Bobby Fischer comes home – The Final Years in Iceland -- a Saga of Friendship and Lost Illusions' is about several aspects of the genius chess player's life before he passed away in Reykjavík in early 2008.
Ólafsson has won the Icelandic chess championship six times. He was an integral part of the struggle to get freedom for Fischer after the latter was arrested and imprisoned in Japan in 2004. Following Fischer’s bid for asylum in Iceland, he was granted full citizenship by the Icelandic Government in 2005 and consequently Ólafsson and Fischer became close.
The book discusses Fischer’s career from 1970, 'Match of the Century' – the 1972 defeat of Boris Spassky, stories from several distinguished people, events from Iceland's history, etc. apart from all the chess.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
With BBC taking up for broadcast the Liz Garbus documentary on Bobby Fischer there have been some interesting reviews online. Here are some interesting links to read this Thursday:
James Walton reviews Bobby Fischer, Genius and Madman (BBC Four), the latest instalment of Storyville documentary series, which profiles chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer in The Telegraph.
Op-Ed: Robert J. Fischer - chess, genius and madness Alexander Baron: Much has been written about Bobby Fischer, but the written word is a poor substitute for an hour and a half documentary featuring archive footage, like this fine effort from the BBC. Bobby Fischer: Genius and Madman is currently on BBC iplayer for those who can receive it.
When Bobby Fischer Played Chess Like Misha Tal Lubomir Kavalek: Reckless sacrifices were not his style, but for one day, one game and one moment in 1959 Bobby Fischer threw caution to the wind, went va banqueand played like Mikhail Tal. His opponent was the Czech grandmaster Ludek Pachman and the game was played in Santiago de Chile.
If you've got a favourite Bobby Fischer article, don't forget to share it with us.
Garbus' Bobby Fischer documentary on BBC this week
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
For everyone tuning in to BBC, here's great chess news.
Veteran filmmaker Liz Garbus' documentary exposes the disturbingly high price Fischer paid to achieve his legendary success and the resulting toll it took on his psyche. Rare archival footage and insightful interviews with those closest to him expand this captivating story of a mastermind's tumultuous rise and precipitous fall.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
We couldn't resist telling you about this nice contest with a great chess gift!
Following on from the hugely successful theatrical run, Dogwoof presents Award-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus’s fascinating portrait of one of the most intriguing and enigmatic figures of the 20th century – World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer.
Available on DVD 12th September, a week after the iTunes release, Bobby Fischer Against the Worldtraces the Grand Master from child prodigy to Cold War hero to controversial recluse. Cutting interviews with Bobby and the people who knew him with footage and news reports, Bobby Fischer Against the World is a mesmerising portrait of the rise and bizarre fall of one of the great American icons. With DVD extras including three short films, selected trailers and “Taking on a Grandmaster” clips; this is a DVD must buy for all chess fans or anyone wanting an insight into troubled genius.
To be in with a chance of winning one of two copies of the DVD the website is giving away, simply email contest@obsessedwithfilm.com with the e-mail header Bobby Fischer. Make sure you leave your full name and address and please only enter if you are 12 or over, if not ask parents permission. Winners will be notified in October.
Fresh chess trailer of Bobby Fischer against the World movie
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
Is it possible ever to get enough of Bobby Fischer? No? Yes! So, here's a trailer from Bobby Fischer Against the World that we had not featured so far. If your heart skips a beat as you watch, if you get flutters in your stomach, if the trailer sends a thrill through your being... then shout to the world that you love chess. Enjoy.
Chess keeps you sane:GM Nigel Short in delightful BBC video
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
A nice chess point made by British Grandmaster Nigel Short is that chess keeps you sane. He said this while talking to the BBC in a delightful video interview and even played a game. Short was discussing this in reference to the Bobby Fischer against the World movie. You can watch the video at this link. Must watch really. The GM says he is still on the path of learning in chess and the game is one of indefinite complexities.
And, while on the subject, you can read a fresh new review with Liz Garbus, the director of Bobby Fischer against the World at this link. Enjoy.
Radio show with chess film 'Bobby Fischer against the world' director Liz Garbus
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
Here is a super audio recording for you. On NPR's Fresh Air, Liz Garbus and international chess master Anthony Saidy join Dave Davies for a conversation about Bobby Fischer's unconventional life and the documentary film 'Bobby Fischer against the World', which premieres June 6 on HBO. Enjoy. Have a Bobby Fischer chessy Sunday!
Win a chance to play Chess Grandmaster Nigel Short at Fischer film premiere event
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
To celebrate the release of the documentary Bobby Fischer Against The World, there's going to be a special event. On July 5, there will be a special London premiere event in which former World Number 3 Nigel Short will play 20 opponents in a simultaneous exhibition match.
YOU could be one of the lucky 20.
There’s TWO easy ways to enter:
1. Visit the Facebook Page and become our friend by 21 June (also known as Demand Zero Day if you’re a true Dogwoof follower!) to go into a draw from which five players will be chosen.
2. Become a Dogwoof Ambassador and host your own screening of the film – the first three confirmed Ambassadors will be offered a place.
The new Fischer biopic "Bobby Fischer Against The World" has had its premiere in the US, and will be broadcast on HBO on Monday June 6. The film will have its UK premiere on July 15.
Magnus Carlsen 'caught' on secret chess movie date!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
This is the truth and nothing but the truth because www.chessvibes.com has photographic proof of it all. World No. 2 - the very talented Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen was on a movie date recently to watch the press screening of award-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus' portrait of one of the most intriguing and enigmatic figures of the 20th century – World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer.
Out in cinemas 15 July in the United Kingdom, Carlsen was at the press screening in Soho, London when GM Gawain Jones, who lives in London, also went to watch the film.
Hold your heart all you girlie fans of Carlsen - The chess genius was accompanied by his manager Espen Agdestein (only). Here is the short interview:
GM Gawain Jones: Your thoughts on the film? GM Magnus Carlsen: Well there wasn’t much that i didn’t really know before but I haven’t seen any pictures of him before so that was new.
GJ: So that shows a more human side of him. MC: Yeah, it was sad…
GJ: Yes, and a very moving film. Do you see any similarities between you and him? MC: I started thinking and although i thought that there was a little too much emphasis that chess players go “points to his head” insane which I think these days just doesn’t happen – that much but I mean it made me think and also realise even more chess was a different game back then.
GJ: But chess probably kept him sane for longer… MC: It was really sad to hear him say what he was saying after the match and everything. It was even a bit funny to hear him say he was going to play more chess.
GJ: And the last thing he said and he didn’t play for another 20 years! MC: Yeah.
Video interview with chess movie director, photographer of 'Bobby Fischer against the world'
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
Remember thiswww.chessblog.com post about the movie 'bobby Fischer against the world' that was showcased at the Sundance Film Festival this year?
Well! We bring you these video of the director Liz Garbus and the photographer Harry Benson for the film. Watch out for when Benson says, "Fischer was normal". Enjoy.
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12th Women's World Chess Champion
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