The World Champion (2021) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

2021 · 145 mins · Russian

Directed by

Alexey Sidorov

Starring

Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Viktor Sukhorukov, Pekka Strang, Diana Pozharskaya, Konstantin Khabenskiy, Dmitriy Miller

This film recounts the historic and intensely dramatic 1978 world chess championship match. It focuses on the confrontation between reigning champion Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi, who had recently emigrated from the Soviet Union. The story explores the immense psychological pressure and personal stakes involved in this legendary duel between two of the greatest chess players of all time, a competition that transcended the game itself and became a pivotal moment in sporting history.