The movie is based on the true story of Joshua Waitzkin, who was a young chess prodigy in the 1980s. Joshua's father, Fred, is obsessed with the idea of his son becoming a chess champion, much like Bobby Fischer, the famous and controversial chess player.
Fred hires a strict, Russian chess coach, Bruce Pandolfini, to train Joshua. However, Joshua is not like other chess prodigies. He is kind-hearted, emotional, and social, and he resists the pressure to become as cold and calculated as Fischer.
Despite this, Joshua is extremely talented and quickly rises through the ranks of youth chess tournaments. As he becomes more successful, Fred and Pandolfini become more obsessed with winning, putting strain on Joshua and his relationships.
Throughout the movie, Joshua struggles with the idea of becoming a ruthless and competitive player like Fischer, or staying true to himself and his values. In the end, he chooses to embrace his own approach to the game, rather than conforming to the expectations of others.
Searching for Bobby Fischer was praised for its realistic portrayal of the world of youth chess, as well as its heart-warming message about staying true to oneself.
