Chess King
6.7
In a small southern frontier town, an old man called “Nail Li” boasts about his chess skills by nailing a general piece to the board, challenging anyone to remove it. During this era, many young people moved to the countryside. The town’s new party secretary, played by Niu Ben, was angry after losing a game and sent his team to the city to find talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Wang Yisheng, a Beijing youth known as “The Chess Fool,” was mistakenly labeled a counter-revolutionary during the Cultural Revolution but was saved by those searching for him. Unconcerned about his destination, he was content with food and chess, saying, “What can relieve my worries? Only playing chess.” He became engrossed in the game, leaving memorable matches with various masters in the unfamiliar town.
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
Your rating
Your review
Cast
9 people
Xie Yuan
Wang Yisheng
Also in
King of the Children
The Red
Zhao Liang
Tiehan
Also in
The Return of the Condor Heroes
I'm So Sorry
Ni Dahong
Known for
The Knockout
The Assassin
Teng Wenji
Also in
The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up
Zhong A-Cheng
Also in
The Obscure
Niu Ben
The Secretary
Known for
To Live
Black Dog
Ben Niu
The Secretary
Lee Fai
Known for
Iron Monkey
A Chinese Ghost Story II
Xin-xin Zhang
Teng Wenji Director · Zhong A-Cheng Story Wang Xinsheng Cinematographer
First release January 1, 1988 · Produced in China · Original title 棋王
Production
Xi'an Film Studio
Production
China
Produced in
Languages
Original title
棋王
Original language
Chinese
Spoken on screen
Chinese
Release dates
China · January 1, 1988
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
More from Teng Wenji
Other films they directed, best known first.
If you liked Chess King
Picks that share its genres, themes, cast and crew.
Some details come from TheTVDB.