Chess Story

Set in 1938 Vienna, this historical drama follows Josef Bartok, a lawyer attempting to flee to the United States with his wife following the Nazi occupation of Austria. Arrested by the Gestapo, Bartok is pressured to reveal confidential financial information. He is placed in solitary confinement as punishment for his refusal to cooperate. While struggling with the mental toll of complete isolation, Bartok acquires a book on chess. He uses the recorded matches to maintain his sanity, though the activity eventually evolves into a dangerous obsession.

The film was directed by Philipp Stölzl and follows his previous works, including The Physician. Based on a screenplay by Eldar Grigorian, the production features Oliver Masucci in the lead role, alongside Albrecht Schuch and Birgit Minichmayr. A total of 32 cast members are credited in the production.

Audiences have given the movie a consistent reception, with a 6.8/10 rating on IMDb from 5,500 votes and a 6.8/10 rating on TMDB from 164 votes. Film critics provided a more positive assessment, rating the movie 7.8/10 based on 8 reviews.