Pawn Sacrifice_2014

PAWN SACRIFICE
    Screenplay by
    Steven Knight
    Story by Stephen J Rivele & Christopher Wilkinson and Steven Knight OVER BLACK: "CHESS HOLDS ITS MASTER IN ITS BONDS, SHACKLING THE MIND SUCH THAT THE INNER FREEDOM OF THE VERY STRONGEST MUST SUFFER." - ALBERT EINSTEIN:

EXT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE - ICELAND - DAWN
    In the grey dawn, a formidable house in the Icelandic wilderness. A single light burns in an upper window. Caption: Reykjavik, Iceland 4:15am. July 20th, 1972 In the distance, a POLICE CAR approaches, lights flashing.

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE - ICELAND
    CLOSE on a hand gripping the padded arm of an armchair. The index finger of the hand is PICKING at a thread. The HAND belongs to an intense young man with black hair swept back. He sits motionless, peering at a chess game which is a few moves old. The man is BOBBY FISCHER. A SINGLE FLY begins to buzz against the window. Bobby eyes the fly. The movement of his eyes is immense. Murderous. The thread he has been picking at suddenly TEARS with a THUNDEROUS RIPPING SOUND. The fly is trying to get out the window. BOBBY'S PERCEPTION The BUZZING of the fly is a howling hurricane from hell. BACK TO AN OBJECTIVE VIEW OF THE ROOM Silence. Bobby stalks the fly -- CRUSHING IT with a coffee cup. He sits back down in a business-like way and stares at the board again, his fingernail beginning to work another thread. HEADLIGHTS sweep the room and we HEAR a car door SLAM. Bobby's face betrays no reaction -- but his whole hand CLAWS the arm of the chair like an animal in a trap. At the SOUND of someone running upstairs, he glances from the chessboard to the door, as a knock comes on the door: BOBBY'S PERCEPTION Someone is POUNDING on the door -- it SOUNDS like the Gestapo in an old war movie. BACK TO AN OBJECTIVE VIEW The knock on the door is polite. Bobby grips the armchair, can't stand the noise that only he can hear -- and he gets to his feet, UPENDING a lamp. Another knock. Bobby pinballs around like the fly trying to escape -- breaking shutters as he tries to close them, tripping over a table. ANOTHER KNOCK, even louder. Then, just as suddenly, his eyes FOCUS on the chess board. A new light comes into his eyes as he stares at it -- and his breathing begins to slow. A7 ALL SOUND BEGINS TO FADE A7 As he moves toward the board -- his fingers reaching out -- in ultra slo-mo -- to make...a...single...move. B7 BACK TO THE SCENE B7 Bobby closes his eyes. Content. He has solved the puzzle. CAPTION: This is the true story of Bobby Fischer. The door opens. A guy stands there -- mid-40's, pugnacious. This is MARSHALL. He stares at the debris of the room. And at Bobby, who appears perfectly calm.
    BOBBY
    There was a fly. It's dead now.
    A huge agenda between the two men. Marshall composes himself.
    MARSHALL
    (quoting)
    "Never before in human history has the outcome of an entire global war of ideas rested on the shoulders of one man."
    The slightest smile begins to form on Bobby's lips.
    MARSHALL
    I'm quoting the President of the United States. He was talking about you. To me. The President of the United States talking to me. He called three times. Three.
    Marshall lifts the receiver, places a phone back on the hook.
    MARSHALL
    He's been trying to reach you.
    Bobby refuses to be intimidated. If anything, his smile widens. Marshall rights an upturned chair.
    MARSHALL
    In Moscow, Brezhnev opened his only bottle of 1868 Louis Roederer. Left over from the revolution. You know why?
    (hammering it home)
    Because. He. Heard. You Quit.
    Bobby walks to the window, looks out at the half-light.
    MARSHALL
    There are boys your age in Vietnam giving their lives right now in the fight against Communism. And all you have to do is win a game of chess.
    (plaintively)
    ...Say something. Bobby, please... Bobby?
    Bobby doesn't answer. Instead, he stares out into the night, and we HEAR another voice.
    JOAN (V.O.)
    ...Bobby?
    OMIT IN THE FISCHER APARTMENT - NIGHT - BROOKLYN Bobby, age 8, stands looking out another window. It is 1952. JOAN, Bobby's sister, 14, comes up beside him.
    JOAN
    Bobby, it's bedtime.
    BOBBY
    That man's out there.
    Joan looks out. A SEDAN is parked under a streetlight. A LIT MATCH briefly illuminates a MAN'S FACE as he lights a cigarette. Is that a telephoto lens in his hand? She subtly turns him away from the window.
    JOAN
    Have you eaten anything? There's actually food in the house. Go.
    Bobby heads back into a party in full swing. The apartment is packed with Boho's, Eastern European emigres, NY intellectuals. A banner reads, "Brooklyn-Bed Sty American Communist Party PARTY! Coltrane wails on the record player. BOBBY IS INVISIBLE IN THIS ADULT WORLD Adults LOOM above him, laughing. A MIXED COUPLE making out, open-mouthed. A man smoking reefer smiles beatifically. He pauses to scribble chess notations in his little notebook.
    PARTY GUEST #1
    Half the witnesses they call are Communists, the other half are Jews!
    PARTY GUEST #3
    If you're both, do you testify twice?
    PARTY GUEST #1
    You can make jokes, Mr. Liberal -- your entire family wasn't gassed in the camps, alava'shalom.
    Regina, meanwhile, is in the middle of of an intense conversation with a BALDING MAN. They WHISPER harshly.
    REGINA
    We agreed he wouldn't know who you are--!
    BALDING MAN
    Fine. But that doesn't mean----
    REGINA
    --So I don't see the point!
    BALDING MAN
    The point is--- Christ, just let me talk to him, then I'll go...
    IN THE DIRTY KITCHEN Bobby is making a sandwich. The BALDING MAN approaches.
    BALDING MAN
    Howdy doody, Bobby...
    BOBBY
    Hullo.
    BALDING MAN
    Remember me...?
    BOBBY
    Sort of.
    BALDING MAN
    I'm your Uncle Paul. From Denver. How's school?
    BOBBY
    Okay.
    BALDING MAN
    Studying hard?
    BOBBY
    I guess.
    BALDING MAN
    Ever heard of Physics?
    BOBBY
    No.
    BALDING MAN
    But you're good in Math?
    BOBBY
    I guess.
    The man stares at him -- there's something pregnant and unspoken in his regard -- but also somehow thwarted.
    BALDING MAN
    I hear you like chess.
    BOBBY
    Yeah.
    He looks around, takes a five dollar bill from his pocket.
    BALDING MAN
    Here. Buy a new set. Just don't tell your mother where it came from...
    Bobby's eyes widen as he stares at the bill. The man reaches out to HUG him, but Bobby shrinks away. Uncle Paul frowns, settles for patting Bobby on the head and then walks away. IN THE LIVING ROOM A heated discussion of Zionism, the Rosenbergs. Bobby wanders past, looks out the window. The DARK SEDAN is still there. Regina is nearby, deep in conversation -- IN RUSSIAN.
    BOBBY
    Mama--
    REGINA
    Not now, honey.
    BOBBY
    I have to talk to you.
    REGINA
    Honey, it's past your bedtime.
    BOBBY
    That car's down there again.
    Regina's antennae go up.
    REGINA
    What car?
    BOBBY
    You told me to tell you... A red, 1951 Chevy, NY license plate HI62579.
    Regina apologizes to her friend in Russian, kneels down.
    REGINA
    Honey, it's okay--
    BOBBY
    But you told me--
    REGINA
    Bobby, you remember what I said about not letting them intimidate us? Yes, they watch us -- because we represent something very threatening to them, to the status quo. You remember what that is?
    BOBBY
    (by rote)
    Revolution.
    REGINA
    Yes! And sometimes these bad people want to know about our work so they spy on us. So if someone comes up to you on the street and asks you questions about me, or Mommy's friends, what do you say?
    BOBBY
    (by rote)
    I have nothing to say to you.
    REGINA
    That's my big boy.
    (to Joan)
    Joanie, he's got mustard on his shirt. He has to wear that to school tomorrow. Soak it for me?
    JOAN
    Love to.
    She takes Bobby's hand and leads him away.
    JOAN
    Bedtime for Bonzo.
    She tickles as she leads him toward the bedroom

INT. BOBBY'S BEDROOM - LATER
    Bobby lies in bed, wide awake. We HEAR the noise of the party outside -- loud conversation, boisterous laughter. Bobby stares at the window -- is the man still out there? We feel his anxiety building as he LISTENS INTENTLY to the sound of the shade SLAPPING against the window sill. Suddenly, he sits up, opens a drawer. He works fast -- like someone breaking the rules -- lights a candle -- rolls the wax into balls and stuffs them into his ears. The laughter outside is muted. Bobby stuffs a ball into his other ear. With both ears blocked -- a sudden and wonderful silence! Bobby carries the candle to a CHESSBOARD. In absolute silence he stares at the chessboard. In his hand is the NOTEBOOK. CLOSE on Bobby's face, candlelit, a study in intensity. As Bobby stares at the chessboard, everything else in the room literally begins to disappear. The bed, the crummy dresser -- until all that is left is a boy and a chessboard. THE CHESSBOARD Pieces move on their own. Multiple exposures. A move yields hundreds of options. The counter offers thousands more. CLOSE on Bobby's face. Ethereal Music. Bliss. Then... THE DOOR TO HIS BEDROOM IS FLUNG OPEN Light floods in. Harsh SOUNDS. The spell is broken. The two open-mouthed kissers are looking for a place to fuck.
    KISSING MAN
    Whoopsee-daisy...
    (sees Bobby)
    Sorry, kiddo.
    BOBBY
    Get out of my room. GET OUT!
    Regina appears behind them.
    REGINA
    Bobby! Those are our guests!
    (sees his chessboard)
    Jesus, enough already with the chess!
    She reaches for the board. Pieces fall, ruining the game.
    REGINA
    (calling out)
    Joan--!
    Joan appears.
    REGINA
    Put him to bed, will ya?
    As Regina returns to the party. Joan kneels to pick up the fallen pieces. Bobby looks up at her.
    BOBBY
    Please...?
    JOAN
    Okay. One game.
    She sits beside him on the bed and sets up the board.

INT. BROOKLYN JEWISH HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - DAY
    Bobby, Joan and Regina sit in a waiting room. Regina smooths Bobby's hair.
    REGINA
    Now Bobby, don't suddenly start acting normal and make me look ridiculous...

INT. DR. MENGARINI'S OFFICE - LATER
    On DOCTOR MENGARINI's desk is a LARGE WOODEN CHESS SET. Across the desk we find Bobby. The game is fifteen moves old. Smoke from Megarini's pipe wafts among the chess pieces.
    MENGARINI
    So Bobby, you go to the movies?
    (Bobby nods without looking up)
    You like Westerns? Bang, bang?
    Bobby nods again. Mengarini glances at Regina.
    REGINA
    Bobby, have you ever been to the Moon on the subway?
    Bobby nods and moves a piece. He's in a kind of trance.
    REGINA
    Once I poured a glass of water over his head...
    Mengarini studies Bobby as Bobby studies the board.
    REGINA
    If I take the pieces away he just plays in his head. Day and night.
    Mengarini moves his knight. Bobby counters.
    MENGARINI
    What do you dream about, Bobby?
    Silence. Regina shrugs. Mengarini takes Bobby's rook.
    MENGARINI
    You like Parchesi? Monopoly? \*
    (to Joan)
    Does he play other games with you?
    JOAN
    He says chess is the only game that doesn't need luck.
    Mengarini has barely finished moving when Bobby makes a move. This startles Mengarini, who frowns at the new positions.
    JOAN
    And he cries when he loses.
    Bobby glares at her briefly then returns his focus to the game. Mengarini squints at the board, then makes his move.
    MENGARINI
    I play chess at quite a high level. His game is pretty good. Not exceptional, though.
    (magnanimously)
    A draw?
    Bobby isn't listening. He's in the zone. He initiates an exchange: his Queen takes Mengarini's Bishop. Mengarini grunts, makes another move. Then Bobby pounces. Mengarini tries to escape but the trap has been sprung. After several moves it's clear he's doomed. Mengarini is astonished. Bobby looks up at him -- something new and...well...murderous in his expression.
    JOAN
    He hates draws.
    MENGARINI
    Where the hell did that come from?
    REGINA
    So now you see.
    Mengarini is still staring at the board in disbelief.
    MENGARINI
    Who taught him to play like this?
    JOAN
    I bought him the set. Last year.
    MENGARINI
    Which club does his belong to?
    REGINA
    He doesn't belong to any club. He taught himself.
    BOBBY
    I need to pee.
    Joan takes Bobby's hand and leads him out the door.
    REGINA
    So, Doctor. What do you think?
    MENGARINI
    Mrs. Fischer, there are worse things than playing chess. Believe me.
    REGINA
    He wants there to be nothing else.
    Mengarini is now writing on a pad.
    MENGARINI
    I think he should see a professional.
    REGINA
    I thought you were a professional.
    He hands her the note. "Carmine Nigro, Brooklyn Chess Club."

EXT. BROOKLYN CHESS CLUB, MARSHALL STREET - AFTERNOONT
    Joan and Bobby walk down a Brooklyn street, arriving at a shabby storefront where A Hispanic MAN, 30's, is waiting.
    CARMINE
    You must be the Fischers. I'm Carmine Nigro.
    (to Bobby)
    I'm betting you're the chess player.
    JOAN
    Bobby, say hello.
    Bobby mumbles hello. Carmine unlocks the door.

INT. BROOKLYN CHESS CLUB
    As Carmine turns on the lights, we WATCH Bobby's face as the room is revealed -- twenty tables, all with boards set up.
    CARMINE
    Our church. All colors and creeds welcome.
    Bobby walks in as if entering a holy place. The door behind them bursts opens and Regina bustles in.
    REGINA
    Sorry sorry the E train was a nightmare -- you must be Camine Nigro I'm Regina Fischer. So....?
    CARMINE
    Doctor Mengarini says he's good. But most young people don't have the concentration to play at this level so please don't build up your hopes.
    REGINA
    My 'hopes' are he will give up on the damn game if someone beats him.
    CARMINE
    Okay, let's see what we got here...
    He grabs two chess pieces, one black and one white, holds them behind his back and turns to Bobby.
    CARMINE
    Choose.
    TIME CUT: As the game begins, Carmine seems confident. Bobby makes a move that draws him up short. TIME CUT: Bobby's moves grow bolder, Carmine's body language is changing. The fight is on. TIME CUT: Carmine has to use all his wiles. Eventually, though, he begins to win, and soon he has Bobby trapped. Bobby stares at the board, his face reddening. He has lost. He HATES to lose. He pushes his chair back and walks away, fighting back tears. Carmine turns to Regina.
    CARMINE
    Well, I am officially the twenty- fifth best chess player in New York City. But he has great potential.
    Suddenly, a piece is SLAPPED back on the board. Bobby has returned and starts replacing pieces.
    BOBBY
    Again.
    We can't help but see the ferocity in his eyes. A18 TIME CUT - THE BROOKLYN CHESS CLUB A18\* A spectator pushes his way through a crowd gathered around \* the young phenom. \* 50'S ROCK AND ROLL KICKS IN As we follow Bobby's rise to fame. In THE BROOKLYN CHESS CLUB, a small crowd watches him play. At a tournament -- Carmine by his side -- he defeats ONE OPPONENT AFTER ANOTHER. Regina watches intently. We see Bobby studying chess as he makes a sandwich, studying as he walks down the street, asleep with his head on a board. In the gym, We FOCUS on his hands as he moves his pieces in what we will come to know as his signature SLAPPING gesture. INTERCUT multiple exposures of Bobby's HANDS with NEWSREEL FOOTAGE of the next five years: the Rosenbergs are executed; Playboy bunnies are introduced; revolution in Hungary; hoola hoops, missile launches, A-bomb tests, duck-and-cover. The images SPEED UP and PROLIFERATE, Bobby's hands becoming a BLUR as the soundtrack BUILDS -- until, when we return to normal speed, the CAMERA PANS UP FROM THE HANDS TO REVEAL: OMIT BOBBY - NOW AGE 13 - ONSTAGE AT AN AUDITORIUM He's playing against a man in his 20's.
    NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
    ...Bobby Fischer played American master Donald Byrne today and beat him in what is already being described as the Game of the Century.
    A21 IMAGES OF BOBBY - DOC STYLE (50'S ROCK AND ROLL CONT.) A21 shaking hands with opponents, being handed a big gold medal.
    50'S REPORTER
    So Bobby, congratulations. What's next for you?
    BOBBY
    I don't know, my game's getting pretty strong... \*
    Bobby blinks into the camera, hoists his medal.
    NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER #2 (V.O.)
    With the longest string of victories in the history of the competition, Bobby Fischer today became the youngest ever United States Chess Champion--
    B21 OMIT B21 OMIT

EXT. BROOKLYN STREET - DAY
    Bobby wears a sharp suit, a strut in his stride. He carries a large paper bag and a trophy. A KID yells as he passes.
    BROOKLYN KID
    Hey, Jewboy, way to go!
    The other kids laugh but Bobby is oblivious, he's clearly playing chess in his head.

INT. THE FISCHER APARTMENT
    Bobby has taken a roll of aluminum foil from the paper bag and is covering a window. The trophy has been thrown haphazardly on a sofa. The TV is on: ERIC SEVEREID (on TV) ..Today, the Soviet Union announced it has successfully launched the first satellite to reach outer space. Its name is Sputnik. He doesn't hear Joan as she enters carrying groceries.
    JOAN
    What are you doing?
    BOBBY
    You live under a rock? The Russians are gonna shoot missiles at us from space.
    JOAN
    And you think aluminum foil will keep out radiation?
    BOBBY
    Hey, I'm not the one planning to fry the world. You're gonna have a kid. You should think about digging a shelter.
    Joan sees the trophy, lying on the kitchen table.
    JOAN
    Congratulations. Wish you'd let us come...
    BOBBY
    Mom? Can't concentrate when she's \* there. \*
    (looks around)
    Where is she, anyway--?
    JOAN
    Ban-the-bomb march in Union Square.
    Bobby is distracted by a chess game-in-progress. Makes a \* move.
    BOBBY
    Be a hoot if she got blown up by a Commie nuke while marching against America.
    JOAN
    She's not marching against America. She's marching for peace.
    BOBBY
    Yeah? Chaining herself to the White House...
    JOAN
    It's just... Mom.
    BOBBY
    (suddenly distracted)
    --What day is it?
    JOAN
    Friday.
    BOBBY
    No. The date. THE DATE!
    JOAN
    The 26th.
    Without a word, Bobby is heading out.
    JOAN
    Where you going?
    Too late. He's outta there.

INT. 'FOUR CONTINENTS' RUSSIAN BOOK STORE - DUSK
    A slice of Moscow in New York. A samovar. Everyone smoking, Russian spoken in hushed whispers. The middle-aged BOOKSTORE CLERK knows Bobby when he enters.
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    It just came in.
    He points to the magazine rack. Bobby reverently picks up the latest Shakmanty Bulletin and dives in -- his eyes MEMORIZING each diagram at a glance -- his photographic memory like a motor-driven CAMERA. Cachunk. Cachunk. Cachunk.
    FROM OUTSIDE THE STORE
    A different POV. The store is under FBI Surveillance. Click.

INT. THE FISCHER APARTMENT - LATER THAT NIGHT
    Bobby lets himself in. He sees Regina's shoes just inside the door and A PAIR OF SIZE 12 SHOES beside them. Frowns.

INT. BOBBY'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
    The room is little changed -- except for dozens of TROPHIES strewn haphazardly, and stacks upon stacks of chess magazines. Bobby opens to a page -- and there we SEE the handsome face of Boris Spassky -- the Soviet Grandmaster. Bobby studies a DIAGRAM of Spassky's latest game. He places his pieces. Working fast. Slap. Slap. He's in the zone. Then...from the bedroom, the SOUNDS of a man and woman having sex. Bobby puts his fingers in his ears, closes his eyes. INSIDE BOBBY'S HEAD The columns of numbers are jumbled, faded. A SOUND intrudes. BACK IN THE ROOM Bobby HEARS a toilet flush. The SOUND of laughter. A bed creaking. It's all too much. Bobby LEAPS to his feet. IN THE LIVING ROOM Bobby finds Regina in her robe.
    REGINA
    You're back! And you won! Congratulations!
    Bobby walks to the Size 12 shoes and picks them up.
    BOBBY
    Every night I hear you two fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. Bang! Bang! Bang!
    REGINA
    Bobby, put those down.
    A big man -- CYRIL -- appears in the doorway.
    CYRIL
    Bobby--
    BOBBY
    I got nothing to say to you. You live in my house but you're not my father, okay?
    REGINA
    Bobby--
    BOBBY
    Where's my real father?
    REGINA
    What?
    BOBBY
    I was born, right? What'd you do with him? Is he on earth? Does he exist?
    REGINA
    Honey, it was a long time ago...
    BOBBY
    And you can't remember? Where is he?
    REGINA
    Gone.
    BOBBY
    Gone where?
    REGINA
    It doesn't matter--
    BOBBY
    That's nice. My real father doesn't matter but Mr. Bigfoot, he matters..!
    REGINA
    Bobby--
    BOBBY
    Gone where? When? Who? WHY?
    REGINA
    Baby, it's late...
    Bobby holds the man-size shoes out the open kitchen window.
    BOBBY
    Now.
    Regina deflates. Holds her head. Sighs. Sighs again.
    REGINA
    ...Paul died two years ago. I think you knew that.
    BOBBY
    Paul? Paul who? .....UNCLE Paul--?
    Regina can barely meet his gaze. Yes. Uncle Paul.
    BOBBY
    HE was my father? And you never told me? And now he's DEAD?!
    BOBBY
    (starts pacing)
    ....GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE. I WANT
    YOU TO LEAVE! I WANT YOU AND MR.
    BIGFOOT...TO LEAVE!
    He FLINGS the shoes out into the street.
    BOBBY
    Go back to Moscow with your Commie friends. I am in training. I am studying day and night to be world champion, do you understand? The youngest world champion...ever! I NEED SILENCE AROUND HERE! Do you understand! I. WANT.....SILENCE!!!
    He storms out.

EXT. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK - DAYS LATER
    Joan makes her way through the misfits, poets and drifters playing chess in the open air. She finds Bobby asleep at the chess tables. His suit is wrinkled and filthy.
    JOAN
    Carmine said you're staying at the chess club.
    BOBBY
    Quiet there.
    JOAN
    What about high school?
    BOBBY
    Ha. Is she still there?
    She sits beside him.
    JOAN
    She fixed up the apartment. Even got the hot water heater working.
    Bobby looks at her, sensing an agenda.
    JOAN
    She won't be living there anymore.
    (holds up the key)
    She's going to do politics in California with Cyril.
    BOBBY
    You mean King Kong.
    JOAN
    She thought if they went away you'd go home and sleep in a bed.
    BOBBY
    That's what she told you? And you bought it?
    (stands up)
    She's running away with some nut- case-Big Foot-communist and, oh you know what? It's for Bobby's benefit!
    JOAN
    You said you wanted quiet.
    (looks at him)
    You won, Bobby. Be happy.
    AN INTERVIEW Hand-held, grainy black-and-white.
    INTERVIEWER (O.S.)
    Bobby Fischer Interview. Take One.
    (hits the slate)
    So, Bobby, how long before you get a shot at the title?
    BOBBY
    The Federation makes it very difficult to advance in the rankings. Gonna take a few years. But when that day comes I'll be ready...!
    His grin -- when it happens -- is like the sun suddenly breaking through the clouds. 60's MUSIC KICKS IN. A32 IN A CAVERNOUS HALL (60'S ROCK MUSIC CONT.) DOC-STYLE A32 Bobby defeats several opponents. He poses among other East European grandmasters. Carmine is nearby, beaming.
    NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER #3 (V.O.)
    (in Yugoslav; subtitled)
    In Portoroz, Yugoslavia, American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer became the youngest ever Grandmaster in the history of the game...
    Bobby has a large gold medal around his neck. An American news reporter puts a large microphone in his face.
    REPORTER (O.S.)
    How do you explain your success?
    Bobby looks at him for a moment, then simply, without guile:
    BOBBY
    I'm better than everybody else.
    B32 IN A CHESS CLUB B32\* Bobby plays TWENTY OPPONENTS at once -- their chessboards surrounding him in a circle. Carmine hovers nearby.
    NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER #2
    With each passing year he rises in the International ranking. Maybe someday America can finally claim a champion of its own.
    As he moves from one to another, we INTERCUT MORE ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: JFK'S funeral. The Beatles. The Berlin Wall. Vietnam. LBJ. Cassius Clay. The CAMERA spins with him as he plays -- faster and faster -- until, as Bobby passes from our view, obscured behind one player, he EMERGES on the other side as the mature 24 year- old we saw in the opening scene.

C32 EXT. BULGARIA TOURNAMENT HALL (TO ESTABLISH) C32\*
    Caption: Olympiad of Varna, Bulgaria'62

D32 INT. BULGARIA HALL HALLWAY D32\*
    Bobby and Carmine walking. Bobby is psyching himself up.
    CARMINE \*
    Okay, Ivanovich relies on the Indian \* defense-- \*
    BOBBY \*
    He stopped using it in Portorosz. \* And Petrossian is no longer defensive \* out of the Nimzo. His mother died \* last month and he's become more \* cautious. \*
    CARMINE
    How do you know this stuff?
    BOBBY
    The magazines, man. They don't know I read Russian. All I gotta do is outscore them by two points. That way they gotta give me shot at the championship.
    CARMINE
    Good. Good. How about we think about the first one first...

INT. BULGARIA TOURNAMENT HALL 32 \*
    The enforced stillness of a chess tournament. Bobby defeats one opponent after another. He looks invincible. His focus is absolute. Nearby, two RUSSIAN PLAYERS have finished their game -- they're shaking hands. A draw. Bobby looks over, studying their board. Suddenly he stands up from his game and approaches an ARBITER.
    BOBBY
    (whispering)
    Excuse me. Over there -- the Russians -- TBD has an opening on Petrosian, instead he draws in fourteen moves?
    ARBITER
    If you'll take your seat please, Mr. Fischer.
    BOBBY
    Are you blind? They're playing each other soft to save their strength and then padding their point totals so I can't win -- YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING THIS!
    HEADS TURN as he voice rises. Carmine comes over.
    CARMINE
    Bobby, sit down, you don't want to be disqualified.
    BOBBY
    You see what they're up to? No matter how many points I get, they're getting more. This is such bullshit...
    Then, into the hall, walks Boris Spassky! Bobby can't help but stare as Spassky sits at a nearby table. Bobby tries to return to his game, but he's upset now. He furtively steals glances at the handsome Grandmaster. Suddenly, everything is distracting to him. A chair SCRAPING. A light buzzes. A Russian advisor WHISPERING to another advisor. Bobby looks up at the TOURNAMENT BOARD. He scheduled to play Spassky next. Bobby crackles with anxiety -- looking over at Spassky -- while his opponent ploddingly contemplates his next move. Finally, unable to stand it:
    BOBBY
    ...Knight to Kings Pawn Six, Bishop to Bk4, King to e-5, Queen to Qp2. King to Nb6, Queen to Bd3. Mate.
    His opponent realizes he is indeed doomed. DOC-STYLE: A DOOR WITH A SIGN: "SILENCE, MATCH IN PROGRESS" The door opens and Bobby storms out. A cameraman films him.
    BOBBY
    They're conspiring against me. They want to destroy me because they know I'm better than they are.
    Bobby is followed by officials and journalists. Carmine takes his arm.
    CARMINE
    Bobby...
    Bobby yanks his arm free...
    BOBBY
    The Russians are cheating! There, I've said it! Nobody else will!
    Bobby grabs a guy with Soviet accreditation.
    BOBBY
    You want that in Russian? Niet pycni osmahbi.
    An OFFICIAL takes Bobby's arm...
    OFFICIAL
    Mr Fischer, if we could go back inside and talk about this...
    Bobby pushes the official -- who falls into a signboard. Bobby tries to help the man to his feet. Silence. Then Bobby grabs a chair, stands on it.
    BOBBY
    Okay, I want to make a statement... First I'd like to apologize for pushing that guy. ...You're okay?
    OFFICIAL
    Something to tell my grandchildren.
    As Bobby continues we hear WHISPERED TRANSLATIONS.
    BOBBY
    I came here to take part in this tournament, which is my right as American champion. But it is obvious this whole thing has been fixed by the Russkies.
    Carmine rolls his eyes. Murmurs around the audience.
    BOBBY
    They arrange draws so they can save their strength for the late rounds. But the corrupt Federation does nothing to stop it. I've been waiting ten years to get a shot at the championship...and I'm sick of it.
    (working himself up)
    As a result, I am -- as of right now -- now-this-second, quitting.
    CARMINE
    Oh, man...
    BOBBY
    I won't play against fuckin' Commie cheaters who hate me and hate America.
    Bobby sees a radio microphone poking out from the crowd.
    BOBBY
    Sorry about 'fucks' in there... but anyway....screw you all. In fact I'm retiring from chess forever.
    Bobby kicks over the chair as he gets down and walks away.

EXT. PEOPLE'S HALL - CONTINUOUS
    Carmine tries to keep up with Bobby as he marches away.
    BOBBY
    I'm the best in the world and they know it and they stole it from me! The whole system is rigged...
    CARMINE
    Bobby... Bobby, wait--
    (catches up to him)
    ...It's okay to be nervous about playing him.
    BOBBY
    What are you talking about?
    CARMINE
    Spassky. You saw he was next and you quit.
    Spassky is exiting with his handlers, looking cool, confident.
    BOBBY
    You're fulla shit. It has nothing to do with Spassky! It's statistically impossible for me to win now.
    CARMINE
    First rule of chess. Always someone better than you.
    BOBBY
    Better than you, maybe.
    He strides away, leaving Carmine behind.

INT. THE FISCHER APARTMENT - WEEKS LATER
    The kitchen is a disaster. Old take-out containers and dirty coffee cups. Chess boards, each with a game-in-progress. Bobby is asleep, his head on a chessboard. It looks like he lives in his bathrobe. A key in the doorway. Joan enters; with her is her seven-year-old GIRL. Bobby wakes up.
    JOAN
    Hey, Baby boy... \*
    BOBBY
    Didn't know you had a key.
    JOAN
    (to her daughter) \*
    Say hello to your Uncle. The girl shyly mumbles a hello. \*
    BOBBY
    You like chess, Lizzie? This is the \* rook. See the castle on top, like \* in a fairy story, right? It moves like this. And this is the knight, \* you like horses...?
    Meanwhile Joan is subtly cleaning up. \*
    JOAN \*
    So...what've you been up to? \*
    BOBBY \*
    The usual. \*
    JOAN \*
    Getting out much? \*
    BOBBY
    Too busy. \*
    (to Elizabeth) \* --Here, you try it. \*
    JOAN \*
    ...Doing what? \*
    BOBBY
    Working on my game! I've developed \* files this thick on Tal, on Petrossian, on Fila... I'm working \* fourteen hours a day. \*
    JOAN \*
    So you didn't quit. \*
    BOBBY \*
    (a bit overheated) \*
    I'll play when the Russians stop \* fixing the Candidates tournament! \*
    JOAN \*
    I know, baby. I know... \*
    She produces a comb and begins to comb his hair. He closes \* his eyes to a tenderness he rarely gives in to.
    JOAN (CONT'D) \*
    So I bumped into an old friend from \* school... She saw your picture in the New York Times magazine.
    BOBBY \*
    I was in the New York Times? \*
    JOAN \*
    The piece about you punching a guy. From the picture, she thinks you're a looker.
    (smooths Bobby's hair)
    I don't see it, you know? But the point is...you have a date.
    Bobby opens his eyes. Joan smiles.

INT. BROOKLYN DINER - NIGHT
    Sixties rock-and-roll on the juke box. A sweet-faced young girl, MARIA, is waiting. She looks nervous as Bobby enters.
    BOBBY
    Maria?
    MARIA
    Bobby?
    BOBBY
    My sister told me not to scare you.
    He smiles. Sits.
    BOBBY
    Boo. Are you a virgin too?
    Maria almost chokes on her coffee.
    BOBBY
    I don't much care, you know? I don't know why there's even a word for it. There's no word for people who've never flown in a plane or...
    Maria looks a little thrown...
    BOBBY
    Do you ever make up words for things there's no word for?
    MARIA
    I...no, I really don't.
    BOBBY
    Am I scaring you by the way?
    MARIA
    No... A little.
    Maria is beginning to get up to speed with Bobby's craziness. She's unnerved but drawn to his eyes.
    MARIA
    I'm Italian.
    Bobby doesn't respond.
    MARIA
    Joan said you've been to Rome to play chess.
    BOBBY
    (rapid fire)
    It has two hundred and thirty five statues of people who look like they're still in bed.
    MARIA
    (laughing)
    Did you count them?
    BOBBY
    Are you interested in politics?
    MARIA
    I'm a Republican actually.
    BOBBY
    Right there, that's why you're a virgin. Republicans only have sex to have babies. Democrats have sex because they can't help themselves.
    Maria laughs again. Bobby is puzzled by her laughter. He re- arranges the sugar cubes with his long fingers...
    MARIA
    Are you going to eat something?
    Bobby puts a sugar cube into his mouth. Peers at her.
    BOBBY
    Do you play chess?
    MARIA
    No.
    BOBBY
    Good.
    Maria takes a breath, decides to be bold.
    MARIA
    Joan said you've quit traveling all over to tournaments and maybe you'd like to start doing regular things.
    Maria thinks maybe she is one of the regular things he might do. He smiles then peers at Maria's face. After a moment...
    BOBBY
    Beautiful.
    He stares at her face. Maria reacts...blushing a little. Then...still staring at her face...he speaks fast and even...
    BOBBY
    Capablanca versus Emanuel Lasker, Havana, 1921, endgame. The White King was here...
    Bobby touches the tip of Maria's nose...
    BOBBY
    Black King here.
    He touches her chin. As Bobby names different chess pieces he gently touches her eyes, her cheeks, her ears, placing each piece as if Maria's face were a chessboard...
    BOBBY
    White Knight, black pawn, white rook, black Bishop to your chin--
    Maria has closed her eyes, his touch is gentle.
    BOBBY
    --your ear to your nose and taking out an eye for a cheek bone. Move this here. This here...
    A pause. Bobby stares at her face and looks troubled...
    BOBBY
    Beautiful like a Picasso.
    Maria opens her eyes -- overwhelmed by his gentle physicality.
    BOBBY
    You believe in love.
    MARIA
    Uh...
    BOBBY
    That's what I thought.
    (stands; sighs)
    Sorry, Joan.
    He grabs his coat and leaves. She sits there, forlorn.
    MARIA
    It's Maria.

EXT. 'FOUR CONTINENTS' RUSSIAN BOOK STORE - LATER THAT NIGHT
    A hunched Bobby walks fast along the busy Brooklyn sidewalk and ducks into the store, like someone entering a Porn shop. More SURVEILLANCE SHOTS of him from across the street.

INT. BROOKLYN, 'FOUR CONTINENTS' RUSSIAN BOOK STORE - NIGHT
    Bobby enters, looking wired. The Bookstore Owner speaks softly in Russian...
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    Good evening 'Bobby Grandmaster'. You couldn't sleep?
    BOBBY
    Would you please speak to me in American?
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    So why have you gone to the trouble of learning our language?
    BOBBY
    (in Russian)
    Okay. Fine. Is it here yet?
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    (back to English)
    Let me see... It is the TBD you buy, yes? Published by the Moscow Chess Federation.
    The Owner's WIFE drifts by behind the counter.
    OWNER'S WIFE
    Ah. The American boy who hates us but can't resist our magazines.
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    The October edition is just in.
    Bobby finds the magazine in the rack.
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    Page six.
    (twisting the knife)
    He is becoming the new Messiah.
    A photo of SPASSKY. The caption reads: 'World Champion Boris Spassky wins tenth Blitz tournament.' Once again, Bobby's steel-trap of a mind memorizes each move at lighting speed.
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    They say he won't ever lose a match.
    Bobby pays him. The owner hands him a card.
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    Someone left this for you. A lawyer. You are in trouble, maybe?

A39 INT. FBI OFFICE - DAY A39
    An anonymous FIGURE sits behind a desk as a sheaf of SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS are shown to him. We SEE Bobby entering the Russian bookstore.

EXT. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK`
    Patchy snow. Empty apart from Bobby, who sits before an empty chessboard playing a game with invisible pieces. A GUY in an overcoat approaches. It is MARSHALL.
    BOBBY
    You want a game?
    MARSHALL
    What? You think I'm stupid?
    BOBBY
    You know who I am.
    MARSHALL
    Yeah, I know who you are. Been trying \* to reach you. \*
    (hands him a card) \* You don't answer your phone. \*
    BOBBY
    You're the lawyer. What'd I do...?
    MARSHALL
    Nothing. You did nothing. You do nothing. That's why I'm here.
    Marshall hands him an article torn from Sports Illustrated: 'The Russians Have Fixed World Chess,'By Bobby Fischer.'
    MARSHALL
    You were angry.
    BOBBY
    That was years ago.
    MARSHALL
    Are you still angry?
    Bobby rocks back and forth a little.
    MARSHALL
    I mean, are you political, Bobby?
    BOBBY
    Like a rock. Like a baseball bat.
    MARSHALL
    You told the truth about the Russians.
    BOBBY
    Sometimes the truth is a hand grenade.
    (almost coy)
    I just made that up by the way.
    Marshall produces a chess magazine, drops it on the table.
    MARSHALL
    There's been an announcement. \*
    (reads)
    'Soviet invasion to hit California Surf. Greatest chess player who ever lived to visit U.S.'.
    BOBBY
    Yeah. They're coming to California to play in The Piatigorsky.
    MARSHALL
    They say it's just a game, for fun, hand of friendship, all that crap. But you know the truth... They're using chess to say 'screw America'.
    BOBBY
    Yeah, well, America is soft.
    (re the empty tables)
    A little bit of weather and I'm all alone here.
    MARSHALL
    The Russians laugh at us.
    MARSHALL
    They know there's not one single American can beat a single Russian. \* Their chess mastery proves to the world Soviet intellectual superiority over the decadent West.
    BOBBY
    Seriously man, who the hell are you?
    MARSHALL
    I'm just a fan. I love creative \* people. I also love my country. I \* also love to make money.
    (leans in)
    I want to represent you. Exhibitions. Endorsements. Serious money. Otherwise I wouldn't be out here freezing my ass off.
    Bobby laughs in a cloud of breath.
    MARSHALL
    You're the one man in this country \* who can put up a fight, maybe even \* beat them. And I want a front row \* seat when the good guys win. \*
    BOBBY
    You don't know if I can still play. \*
    MARSHALL
    I talk to people. The cafe on Clinton \* Street. The bookstore... You hate \* to lose, Bobby. If you weren't \* beating the magazines you wouldn't keep buying them.
    Bobby studies Marshall, who turns to a picture of Spassky. \*
    MARSHALL
    Carmine thinks you're afraid of him. Yeah, he's going to have some fun over here...
    BOBBY \*
    Hey, screw him. Screw Boris Spassky. \*
    He taps his temple with his long finger. \*
    BOBBY
    I have moves in my brain like bullets. I ran all his games and I know how he thinks.
    MARSHALL
    Yeah. Bang-bang. Patzers in Washington Square. So what?
    BOBBY
    He has a life. He has a wife.
    (brushes away dead leaves from the board)
    All I have is this. That's why I can beat him.
    MARSHALL
    If you don't play, you don't win. \* Buif you win, you make history. \*
    Bobby looks at him, a wicked smile spreading across his face.
    BOBBY
    When I win.
    OMIT

INT. MANHATTAN CHESS CLUB, SMOKING ROOM - DAY
    The Manhattan Club is nicer than its Brooklyn equivalent. Marshall walks through with A PRIEST in long black robes enters. This is FATHER LOMBARDY.
    MARSHALL
    He's been preparing for six hours.
    LOMBARDY
    I'm just a selector. I hope he \* realizes it's a committee that decides who plays.
    MARSHALL
    You're a grandmaster. He respects \* you. You're the only one who ever beat Spassky.
    LOMBARDY
    We were kids. He'd destroy me now.
    MARSHALL
    And you've beaten Bobby. \*
    LOMBARDY
    When he was twelve. And a bad loser.
    LOMBARDY
    Said the room was too loud, the lamp was too bright. He's a pain in the ass. \*
    MARSHALL \*
    He asked for you. Wants you to be \* his second.
    Marshall hands Lombardy a letter. \*
    MARSHALL (CONT'D) \*
    It's a letter of explanation and \* apology to the Federation.
    LOMBARDY \*
    With the f word in the first line. \*
    MARSHALL
    He's nursed a grudge a long time. He's studied how the Russians play...every day, eighteen hours a day for four years. For him, Vietnam and the Beatles never happened.
    LOMBARDY
    I'm guessing he still has his opinions about the Soviets?
    MARSHALL
    You'll promise the committee we'll keep him out of trouble...
    LOMBARDY
    The Piatigorsky has been organized to build bridges, not burn them.
    MARSHALL
    So we lose twelve to zero and that's a bridge.
    LOMBARDY
    I heard he has mental health problems.
    MARSHALL
    So did Mozart.
    LOMBARDY
    What if we get him there and he cracks...
    MARSHALL
    Bobby won't crack. He will explode.

INT. MANHATTAN CHESS CLUB - GAME ROOM - DAY
    Marshall ushers Lombardy in. Bobby is dressed to kill.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby? Father Lombardy's here... \*
    LOMBARDY
    How ya doing, Bobby?
    BOBBY
    Against Petrosian in Zurich in the third game you shouldn't have sacrificed your King's pawn. That's the thing that got ya.
    Father Lombardy rocks back a little...
    BOBBY
    You always play too cautiously but then you go crazy in the other direction. It's a bad weakness.
    They peer at each other.
    BOBBY
    Hey, if I criticize a priest, do I go to hell?
    LOMBARDY
    ...Depends if you believe in God.
    BOBBY
    (nods appreciatively)
    Good move.
    He gestures at the chessboards lined up before them.
    BOBBY
    I'm going to show you how you could've won in thirteen moves.
    LOMBARDY
    Not possible.
    Several tables have been laid out in advance.
    BOBBY
    Okay, here's where you screwed up. You got greedy and traded knight for bishop, sacrificed your pawn. But what if you'd done this...
    He puts the pieces back on the board with an arrogant slap.
    BOBBY
    See, the Russians are like boa constrictors. If you do nothing, they strangle you to death, but if you confuse him, attack him everywhere...
    Bobby moves rapidly. Pieces moving, trading.
    BOBBY
    First my machine guns attack his king. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! All he can do is defend himself--
    Five more moves. Check. Check. He takes a rook.
    LOMBARDY
    You understand, Bobby, this tournament is about diplomacy.
    Bobby ignores him, moves to the next table.
    BOBBY
    I want five hundred dollars for each game. I want to buy my sister something for her new baby.
    LOMBARDY
    I heard you were taking medication.
    BOBBY
    My sister sent me to a doctor who put me on something but I started playing as badly as you. So I stopped.
    He makes three more tactical moves.
    BOBBY
    Now we've got him on the run.
    LOMBARDY
    What about Rook takes Bishop?
    BOBBY
    Of course. The smoke clears. He thinks he's safe... But there's a plot to kill the king, an assassin is waiting, forgotten in the background.
    Lombardy is entranced.
    BOBBY
    You see the Russian Queen, standing there, so high and mighty? She thinks she can protect him.
    Bobby goes to the next table, making several quick moves--
    BOBBY
    --Suddenly the assassin comes to life! The King tries to escape. But now the hunt is on--!
    He makes a few furious final moves, trapping the white King.
    BOBBY
    Even his beloved Queen can't save him. The King is defenseless. The King is dead.
    The Kind Falls
    LOMBARDY
    Holy shit.
    BOBBY
    I didn't know priests used bad language...
    (to Marshall)
    I like this guy.
    (to Lombardy)
    Father? Take the crazy kid to California.

EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH
    Beach Boys harmonies. ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE & MOCK-DOC: Waves crash on a sun-drenched beach. The surf is up. Long boards and polka-dot bikinis. Four black limos pull up beside the beach. Caption: Santa Monica, California, June 1966. KGB men in dark suits and shades emerge. Out of the rear doors step TEN less well-built men, also in dark suits. The SOVIET CHESS TEAM steps hesitantly onto the sand.
    RADIO DJ (V.O.)
    This is 93 KHJ, Los Angeles...
    The KGB men watch the grand masters stroll self-consciously on the beach. A few SURVEILLANCE SHOTS.
    RADIO DJ (V.O.)
    Don't be fooled by the warm weather because the Cold War just blew into town. The Soviet chess team arrived in LA for a good-will tournament.
    BORIS SPASSKY lights a cigarette. He is trim, athletic. He wears dark shades, hair brushed back. An impressive figure.
    RADIO DJ (V.O.)
    With them is the current world champion, Boris Spassky, said to be the best chess player who ever lived.
    Spassky takes off his shades and rubs his eyes against the bright light. We sense a certain weariness...

EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HILTON HOTEL
    The fleet of limos cruise up the palm-fringed courtyard. The doormen jump to attention. Photographers take photos.
    RADIO DJ (V.O.)
    The comrades are booked into the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. So much for working class values...
    Boris is hurried inside by two KGB men.
    RADIO DJ (V.O.)
    If you're listening guys, welcome to the free world and enjoy the sunshine.

EXT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, OCEAN AVENUE - DAY
    In the seedy parking lot, a couple of hookers are smoking. A taxi pulls in. Lombardy, Marshall and Bobby emerge. Bobby looks at the seedy Motel, shakes his head.
    BOBBY
    Right.

INT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, OFFICE
    Lombardy and Marshall are checking in while Bobby paces. He \* checks out the mural of Santa Monica, observes passing kids. \*
    BOBBY
    ...Really hot in here... What's \* going on? \*
    MOTEL CLERK \*
    Repair guy didn't show.
    BOBBY
    (to Marshall)
    You said a hotel, not some roach coach that rents by the hour.
    MOTEL CLERK \*
    You a rock star?
    (to Marshall)
    Acts like a rock star.
    BOBBY
    You know what? I ain't staying here.
    Bobby turns and walks out the door.

EXT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, PARKING LOT
    Bobby emerges with Lombardy and Marshall in pursuit.
    BOBBY
    You said, "improved accomodations." \*
    MARSHALL
    This is improved. Somebody else is paying for it.
    BOBBY
    Where are the Russians staying?
    Lombardy and Marshall exchange a look.
    LOMBARDY
    We don't have their kind of money. \*
    BOBBY
    Money?! We invented money --
    LOMBARDY
    We rely on private donors. \*
    BOBBY
    So find some rich ones! \*
    (shakes his head)
    The Russians get whatever they want because their government understands what it takes to win. Chess is a \* national priority! They don't put \* chess players next to Route 66! \*
    (looks at the traffic)
    All I want is some QUIET!!
    One of the hookers speaks up out of nowhere...
    HOOKER
    So stop yelling.
    Bobby looks up. She's attractive, if somewhat... obvious. \*
    BOBBY
    You're right. Sorry. What's your name?
    DONNA
    Donna.
    BOBBY
    See ya later, Donna. I'm going for a walk.
    HOOKER \*
    Want some company?
    BOBBY
    Sure.
    He sets off toward the ocean. Donna hurries to catch up. Lombardy turns to Marshall
    LOMBARDY
    And he hasn't even started playing.

INT. BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL, BORIS SPASSKY'S SUITE
    The suite is vast. A shower is running A note in English and Russian: 'The Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel welcomes Mr Boris Spassky....Chess Champion of the World'. Along with his dark suit, Boris has packed a Hawaiian shirt. A small crucifix hangs inside his open suitcase. On a table a chessboard with the pieces set for a new game. Boris emerges, drying himself. Then the door opens. An adviser enters. This is GELLER. He carries a folder. Their conversation is in Russian with ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
    BORIS
    You don't knock?
    GELLER
    You didn't hear me.
    Geller immediately turns off the radio jazz.
    BORIS
    It is interfering with your listening devices?
    GELLER
    (smiling)
    Now you are being paranoid.
    Geller goes to the window, looks down.
    GELLER
    I came in here because there is a better view. Come and see. There is a black goddess lying by the pool and you can see right up her crotch. This is a great country, yeah?
    (peers at him, again:)
    I said this is a great country, yes?
    Boris doesn't respond. Geller tosses a folder onto the bed.
    GELLER
    The American team. There is someone on this list I hoped was dead.

EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH
    Bobby is walking in his sharp suit, the waves drenching his shoes. He is walking with purpose, mumbling, lost in a game being played in his head. Then we see Donna trailing behind, high heels in hand.
    DONNA
    This is all you wanted to do?
    Bobby has spaced out for a moment. He snaps back. \*
    BOBBY
    Huh? Collect shells if you want. \*
    DONNA
    You walk pretty fast.
    Bobby stops, sits down on the sand and stares out to sea.
    BOBBY
    Maybe I'll sleep here instead.
    Donna sits down heavily beside Bobby and lights a cigarette.
    BOBBY
    So what do you do, Donna?
    Donna looks quizzically at Bobby.
    DONNA
    I fuck people.
    BOBBY
    Yeah? So do I.
    (pondering)
    ...Listen, after I've won this chess thing I was thinking maybe I'd get rid of my virginity. It's getting stupid, you know--?
    DONNA
    ...You've never had sex?
    BOBBY
    Not with someone else, no.
    DONNA
    I'll make you an introductory offer. 300 bucks.
    BOBBY
    Two hundred. \*
    DONNA \*
    Two-fifty. \*
    BOBBY \*
    Two twenty-five. And if I win I get \* the next one for free. \*
    DONNA
    You really represent America?
    BOBBY
    Hell, yeah. I represent America.
    OMITTED OMITTED

EXT. BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL - NEXT DAY
    The Soviet chess team climb into their fleet of Limos. Boris appears to have two KGB guards allocated just to him.

INT. BOBBY'S MOTEL ROOM
    As Bobby is getting dressed, he and Lombardy play "blind" chess. The board, the pieces, it's all in their heads.
    BOBBY
    Bishop to Queen 3.
    LOMBARDY
    Bishop to Knight 5.
    BOBBY
    Knight to King Knight 5.
    LOMBARDY
    King Rook to Queen 1.
    Each moves elicits a reaction. Delight or dread.
    BOBBY
    Queen to Knight 4. Ha!
    LOMBARDY
    You sonofabitch.
    BOBBY
    (grinning)
    Not me. Morphy vs. Anderssen.
    Lombardy's competitive instincts are emerging.
    LOMBARDY
    Bishop to Bishop 1.
    BOBBY
    King Rook to K1.
    LOMBARDY
    Pawn to Queen Rook 4.
    BOBBY
    Queen to King 7.
    LOMBARDY
    Queen takes Queen.
    BOBBY
    Rook takes Queen.
    Lombardy studies the board in his head.
    LOMBARDY
    .....Shit.
    Bobby just smiles. Marshall knocks and enters.
    MARSHALL
    You ready?
    He hands Bobby a three-page stapled mimeo. \*
    MARSHALL
    Background on the Soviet and Cuban teams.
    BOBBY
    Are you kidding? The Russians have a folder this thick on me. They've been studying me since I was twelve. \*
    He tears it up, turns to check himself out in the mirror. \*
    BOBBY
    They're sitting by the pool in their \* fancy hotel, having drinks, laughing. \*
    (squares his tie)
    We'll see who's laughing tonight. \*
    He starts for the door.
    BOBBY
    You coming?
    Bobby leaves. Lombardy smiles at Marshall.
    LOMBARDY
    I think he's ready.

EXT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL
    The Soviet flag and the Stars and Stripes hang above a hall.

INT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL
    Players, audience and journalists wait for the matches to begin. The Russians receive last minute briefings. Lombardy is pouring coffee as Marshall enters, frantic.
    MARSHALL
    He's not anywhere! If he's not seated in four minutes, he forfeits.
    LOMBARDY
    He'll be there.
    MARSHALL \*
    A little prayer wouldn't hurt. \*
    LOMBARDY \*
    I pray for his opponent. \*
    Marshall shakes his head and hurries away. \* \*:

INT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT, MEN'S ROOM 56 \*
    Marshall enters and begins to check the cubicles.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby? You here?
    BOBBY (O.S.)
    In here.
    Marshall finds Bobby fully clothed, sitting on the toilet, busily writing on a scrap of paper.
    MARSHALL
    What the hell? You've go to take your seat!
    Bobby gets to his feet, handing Marshall the note.
    BOBBY
    I had to find somewhere quiet. I want you to give this to her... \*
    MARSHALL
    To who?
    BOBBY
    My mom.
    Bobby gives him the letter. For a moment we glimpse the fragile little boy inside Bobby. He goes to wash his hands.
    BOBBY
    She lives in California now. She'll be here.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby, you've drawn Ivanovich in the first round.
    BOBBY
    Whatever you do, don't let her watch me. She'll screw up my game. Just stop her and give her the letter
    (dries his hands)
    I've told her to follow on the radio.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby, Ivanovich is officially the third best chess player in the world.
    Bobby's little boy look is replaced by a roguish grin.
    BOBBY
    Fourth.

INT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT PLAYING HALL
    A chessboard. A clock TICKS. An empty chair with Bobby's name on it. Russian Grandmaster IVANOVICH sits opposite. An adviser whispers in his ear. Lombardy checks his watch.
    REFEREE
    If he is not here in sixty seconds the game will be forfeited.
    Ivanovich folds his arms and waits. A door at the far end of the room OPENS. Bobby saunters in. \* His casual attitude immediately wrong-foots his opponent. A \* ripple of APPLAUSE as he raises one hand in acknowledgement. An official hands Bobby his "move" card.
    BOBBY
    (patting his pockets; to Lombardy)
    Gotta pen?
    Lombardy hands him a pen. Bobby sits and waits for the clock to run down some more, staring directly at Ivanovich. \* Ten seconds left on the clock. Ivanovich begins to wilt a little. Bobby smiles a devilish smile and whispers...
    BOBBY
    Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three...two...
    Bobby SLAPS his first move, then SLAPS his clock just as hard. His eyes never leave Ivanovich's face.

EXT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL, NIGHT
    The Limos are waiting. \* The auditorium doors open and Ivanovich appears, escorted by the Soviet team advisor, LIVO NEI, who hurries him into one of the waiting cars. Ivanovich has his head bowed.

INT. LIMO - BACK SEAT (TRAVELING - POOR MAN'S PROCESS)
    The limo pulls away. Ivanovich sits beside Nei, staring straight ahead. They speak Russian with ENGLISH subtitles.
    IVANOVICH
    It was like... having a building fall on me.
    NEI
    When we get to the hotel the team doctor will give you a thorough examination.
    (looks at him)
    You lost because you have the flu. You probably caught it on the flight.
    IVANOVICH
    Yes. I do have a headache.
    OMITTED

EXT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, OUTDOOR PAY PHONE - NIGHT
    Rain drenches the parking lot. Bobby is on the pay phone, wired. Donna appears out of one of the rooms.
    DONNA
    Hey, heard you won... Congrats!
    (watches him)
    What's wrong with the phone in your room?
    BOBBY
    I heard this click, click. Our phone was always bugged growing up.
    (dialing)
    Some family, huh? My mom is bugged by us, I'm bugged by the Russians.
    DONNA
    Who you calling?
    BOBBY
    (on the phone)
    Operator, I'm trying to find a number for Regina Fischer....well how many \* Regina Fischers can there be in California?....
    (to Donna)
    Making sure my mom doesn't come \* tomorrow. \*
    (on the phone)
    Somewhere near the beach....
    (to Donna)
    She likes the ocean.
    (on the phone)
    Well ask the lady next to you and she can ask the lady next to her. You sit in lines, right?
    Donna stifles a giggle.
    BOBBY
    Just look her up in your--
    He's cut off. \*
    BOBBY (CONT'D) \*
    Shit. \*
    DONNA \*
    So you want to lose your virginity tonight?
    BOBBY
    Donna, I haven't forgotten our arrangement and I'm looking forward to it.
    (smiles)
    But tonight I've got to practice. I killed one of them today so tomorrow they'll come at me like wasps.
    Bobby turns and walks off into the rain.

INT. BOBBY'S MOTEL ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
    Bobby and Lombardy are playing "blitz." Speed chess. Lombardy is pushing Bobby. Bobby pushes back.
    BOBBY
    Passed up having sex for this.
    WHAP. Hits the clock. WHAP. Lombardy makes a counter-move.
    LOMBARDY
    Passed it up for twenty years.

EXT. MOTEL ROOM - SAME
    Bobby's is the only light still on. From inside, we HEAR WHAP, WHAP, WHAP as their practice continues into the night.

EXT. BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL - SAME
    KGB guys flirt with American women. A SHADOW slips past. It's Boris Spassky making his escape.

EXT. BEVERLY HILLS STREETS
    Boris wanders through residential Beverly Hills.

INT. SANDWICH SHOP, BEVERLY HILLS - NIGHT
    Boris is playing a pinball machine inside a sandwich shop. Geller peering in from the street, spots him and enters.
    GELLER
    Been looking for you. \*
    Boris keeps playing.
    GELLER
    You have a game tomorrow. You should be sleeping.
    Outside, a limo pulls up and a KGB man gets out. Geller nods through the window that everything is all right.
    GELLER
    Disappearing makes people nervous.
    BORIS
    Is Ivanovich really sick?
    GELLER
    Influenza. We are flying him home.
    Boris looks at him, knows he's lying. Goes back to his game.
    GELLER
    It looks bad to lose even one game to an American.
    Boris allows the ball to drop out of play.
    GELLER
    If Fischer makes it to the final you will be there to crush him.
    The CLICK of a SURVEILLANCE SHOT from across the street.

INT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL - MORNING
    Marshall walks out. Lombardy takes him aside.
    LOMBARDY
    We have a problem.
    Bobby is standing by the empty pool, holding a sheet of paper.
    BOBBY
    I'm not going to play again until my conditions are met.
    MARSHALL
    What conditions?
    BOBBY
    Number one. From now on we arrive at tournaments in a big black car like the Russians.
    MARSHALL
    Limousines cost money.
    BOBBY
    Number two. My picture was on today's front page of the LA Times. The \* more I win, the more people come. A \* thousand people are paying 5 dollars \* apiece to see me play. That's $5,000. I want 30%. $1,500. \*
    MARSHALL
    Bobby--
    BOBBY
    Money is respect. Chess is a sport. People respect sports stars.
    (reading)
    Number three. I need five feet between me and the audience. I can smell their breath, it's almost like I hear their thoughts. My thoughts need to be on the board.
    MARSHALL
    Is that all?
    BOBBY
    And get somebody to check our phones \* aren't being bugged. \*
    (starts off)
    Screw the limo. I'm walking.
    Bobby sets off. Lombardy sets off after him.

A68 EXT. MOTEL - CONTINUOUS A68
    Lombardy catches up to him.
    LOMBARDY
    You ready to talk about the match now?
    BOBBY
    (grins)
    Forgive me, father, for I have sinned..
    Lombardy can't help but smile. Bobby can be disarming.
    LOMBARDY
    Yeah, right. Now....if Benko plays \* the Sicilian, what's your counter? \*
    We can no longer HEAR them as they walk away but their animated gestures signal the intensity of their preparation.

INT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, OFFICE - NIGHT
    The motel clerk is watching local news on a small TV.
    NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.)
    Americans don't beat Russians at chess. But it happened today in Santa Monica--
    INTERCUT DOC-STYLE "news" footage of Bobby's victories -- masterful, slapping his pieces, scribbling in his notebook.
    NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.)
    --and when American chess sensation Bobby Fischer is around, it just keeps on happening....
    Donna and the motel clerk are watching on the tiny TV.
    CLERK
    Son of a bitch broke three of my phones looking for bugs.
    DONNA
    That's what rock stars do. They trash hotel rooms.
    NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.)
    Tomorrow, a record crowd will watch the American -- Bobby Fischer -- as he faces Russian World Champion Boris Spassky in the final match.
    Donna stares at the screen, wide-eyed.
    DONNA
    Never fucked a champion before.

INT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, BOBBY'S ROOM - NIGHT
    Bobby lies in bed, lost in thought. Donna is beside him. \*
    DONNA
    Wasn't so bad was it?
    BOBBY
    .....See, the problem is I'm black...
    DONNA
    Huh?
    BOBBY
    I like to open with the Kings Indian but he's an expert on the Samisch.
    DONNA \*
    Who? \*
    BOBBY \*
    Spassky. So maybe a Grunfeld... \* But then I need to find a remedy to \* P-B4...
    He spins inward. She's feeling a little left out. \*
    DONNA \*
    ....Did you reach your Mom? Bet \* she'd be proud.
    She tries stroking his arm. He withdraws slightly. \*
    BOBBY
    Gotta go back to work.
    Bobby is already pulling on his pants, leaving the room.
    DONNA
    Yeah, it was good for me, too.

INT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
    Bobby can't sleep. Paces. Studies his notebook. It's \* 1:00am.Bobby drinks milk. Paces. Studies more. It's 3:30am. He's about to drift off. The alarm clock RINGS. 7:00am. \*

INT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL 71 \*
    Bobby and Lombardy walk a hallway. Bobby looks like hell. \* \*:
    LOMBARDY
    Up late, huh? You all right? \*
    Their eyes meet for a flicker.
    BOBBY
    Never better.

INT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL - DAY
    Bobby stops before entering the playing area and sees Spassky. \* Boris looks rested and detached. Lombardy sees him looking. \*
    LOMBARDY
    You got this guy.
    BOBBY
    Think I don't know that?
    Across the hall, Boris senses Bobby's gaze. Their eyes meet. We sense the two men have made fatal contact, and one of \* them must be destroyed. Bobby looks away first. Bobby and Spassky approach their table. The audience APPLAUDS. The two men stand behind their seats. Geller whispers in Boris's ear. Livo Nei hands him a note pad and pen. A third \* brings him a worksheet, a fourth hands him a glass of water. Lombardy leans in to whisper to Bobby.
    LOMBARDY
    Remember, don't try to overpress. If he opens with the Nimzo--
    BOBBY
    (harsh whisper)
    You think I'm a idiot!?!
    Lombardy is mortified. Bobby is immediately contrite.
    BOBBY
    ...Sorry, Father.
    He looks up to see if Boris has heard him. Boris steps forward, extending his hand. Bobby hesitates and the flicker of hesitation is caught by Spassky. Finally they shake. Boris sits down calmly as Bobby drops into his chair. Bobby is distracted by THE SOUND of a chair scraping. His eyes dart to it. He looks back -- only to realize Boris has been watching him the whole time. Bobby tries to stare at him. Boris smiles. He has already won.

EXT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL
    The door SLAMS open and Bobby bursts through. His fury tells all. He has lost. Lombardy and Marshall hurry to catch up.
    LOMBARDY
    Bobby, you beat three Russians. \*
    MARSHALL \*
    They're waiting to give you the runners-up medal.
    BOBBY
    A medal for losing? \*
    LOMBARDY \*
    No one expected you to beat Spassky. \*
    BOBBY \*
    She wasn't here, was she? \*
    MARSHALL \*
    Who? \*
    He doesn't wait for an answer and walks off toward the beach. \*
    MARSHALL (CONT'D) \*
    At least talk to the TV people. \*

EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH - DUSK 74 \*
    Bobby trudges in the sand. Tears well as he collapses like a disconsolate child. He has lost. His carefully-cultivated, illusion of invincibility is shattered, revealed for what it is, a cloak for the vast, untouchable hole in his heart. He idly draws a chessboard in the wet sand -- torturing himself with memories of losing. A wave rolls in, washing out his drawing. He sits there, water pooling around him.

INT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, LOMBARDY'S ROOM - THAT NIGHT
    Lombardy sits on the bed. Marshall enters. \*
    MARSHALL
    He's disappeared.
    He pours himself a drink. \*
    LOMBARDY
    He'll be back.
    MARSHALL
    How can you be so sure?
    LOMBARDY
    It's all that matters to him. Without chess, he doesn't exist.
    MARSHALL
    You think he can ever beat Spassky?
    Lombardy nurses his drink, non-committal.
    MARSHALL
    Hypothetically, what would it take to make him world champion?
    LOMBARDY
    (stares at him)
    The desk clerk asked why we're making so many calls to DC. I didn't call DC. Who have you been talking to--?
    MARSHALL
    There are people...in high places... who take an interest in any confrontation between us and the Soviet Union.
    LOMBARDY
    The state department?
    (no answer)
    The CIA?
    (no answer)
    The WHITE HOUSE?
    MARSHALL
    Bobby wants limos? He gets limos. And they'll throw in 'honorariums' for each victory.
    LOMBARDY
    Paid for by who?
    Marshall stares back at him. \*
    MARSHALL
    Are you a patriot, father?
    LOMBARDY
    Mostly.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby may be a little off but he \* understands this whole thing better than you.
    (looks at him)
    We're at war. Only it's not being fought by guns and missiles -- not yet at least -- it's a war of perception. The poor kid from Brooklyn taking on the whole Soviet Empire. The perfect American story.
    LOMBARDY
    (starts to laugh)
    Which means you're out schnorring right wing anti-Communist money people? This wouldn't possibly be helpful to the Nixon White House?
    MARSHALL
    ...There's such a thing as doing \* well by doing good. And you haven't answered my question...
    Lombardy takes a sip of whiskey. \*
    LOMBARDY
    Bobby Fischer is the second best chess player I have ever seen. He also has severe problems in his head.
    MARSHALL
    Which need to be understood and managed.
    LOMBARDY
    Managed? Bobby?
    (shakes his head)
    Ever heard of Paul Morphy? 1855.
    LOMBARDY
    Greatest player this country ever had -- before Bobby, that is. By 21 he'd beaten every master in Europe. Liked to play ten people at a time. Blindfolded. Then things got a little weird. Started having "visions," became convinced people were trying to poison him. Quit at 26 and eventually killed himself in the bathtub surrounded by twelve pairs of ladies' shoes.
    Lombardy takes another sip. \*
    LOMBARDY
    This game is a rabbit hole. After \* only four moves there are more than three hundred billion options to consider, more forty-move games than the number of stars in the galaxy, more openings, defenses, gambits than there are atoms in the universe.
    (remembering)
    It can bring you very close to the edge. I've been there. When I was twenty-three, I--
    MARSHALL
    (interrupting)
    Nice story, father. With respect, my question was about Bobby. Could he win?
    Lombardy glares at him.
    LOMBARDY
    If Bobby went for the title it would mean traveling around the world playing interzonals for three years... That's three years in much worse places than this one.
    (finishes his whiskey)
    In my opinion he might not make it that long.
    Marshall stands up, taking the bottle with him.
    MARSHALL
    It's your job to see that he does. If we ever find him.

EXT. BEACH - DAY
    Bobby has slept on the beach. His clothes are rumpled and his hair is wild. As he sits up he sees an odd sight. A hundred yards down the beach, a big black limo has disgorged three MEN. Two are KGB. The third is wearing a Beverly Hills hotel bathrobe. It's Boris Spassky, come for his morning swim. The KGB men carry his clothes. Bobby watches, fascinated, as Boris shrugs off his bathrobe and begins an exercise regime. Bobby gets to his knees as Boris walks into the ocean and begins to swim. The KGB guys smoke cigarettes, waiting for Boris to finish. As Boris steps out of the ocean, a KGB guy holds out a towel for him. Bobby leaps to his feet and yells...
    BOBBY
    Hey!! Asshole!! They're not bodyguards, they're jailers!! They've got your brain. They're inside your mind! They wouldn't even let you kill yourself if you wanted!!
    Boris looks up as Bobby yells, but he is far away and looks like a bum, so he doesn't immediately recognize him...
    KGB GUY
    Just some drunk sleeping it off. America is full of them.
    Bobby, meanwhile, is laughing to himself. He steps into the ocean, fully clothed, and begins to splash around...
    BOBBY
    Look at me man, I'm free!
    He jumps into the waves and begins to play. Boris stares and slowly realizes it's Bobby.
    BOBBY
    I'm coming for you, man!! Better get ready -- 'cause I'M...COMING!!
    The KGB minders quickly hustle Boris away, but not before he looks back to see Bobby take a sardonic bow. We might notice something new in Boris's eyes when he realizes that Bobby has recovered from the loss. He is unnerved.

A77 EXT. MOSCOW (ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE)- MORNING A77
    Lomonosov Moscow University Dormitories, February 1967.

INT. MOSCOW APARTMENT - MORNING
    A man answers the door. A postman hands him a Russian magazine. The cover features a photograph of Bobby. We might notice he has large feet inside his ragged tartan slippers.

INT. MOSCOW APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM
    Cyril hands the magazine to Regina. Bobby is on the cover. \*
    CYRIL \*
    He is officially entering the race \* to become world champion.
    Regina nods, walks away toward the bedroom with the magazine.

INT. MOSCOW APARTMENT, SPARE ROOM
    When she enters, WE SEE walls covered in clippings and photographs of Bobby: headlines from the NY Times, LA Times, London Times and Pravda. Covers from Life and Time magazine. We PAN past articles proclaiming his triumphs. (Fischer dominates at Skopje). 70's hard rock kicks in. DOC-STYLE: WE'RE IN A HALL (70'S ROCK CONT. OVER) Bobby is being interviewed.
    BOBBY
    ....The Russians are afraid of me, man. They've avoided me for years.
    (a big grin)
    They can run but they can't hide!
    A scrum of reporters bears down on him.
    REPORTER
    Bobby, you're the first American ever to reach the interzonal semis. How does it feel? Are you afraid?
    Bobby freezes. He stares at all the people yelling at him.
    BOBBY
    I have nothing to say to you...
    The words his mom taught him years ago.
    BOBBY
    I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY TO YOU!!
    In her room, Regina adds another article: "Fischer Withdraws from Monaco." We INTERCUT between articles and mini-scenes of Bobby's long road to the championship. IN A NATANYA HOTEL ROOM (70'S ROCK CONT.) Bobby works out with weights as Lombardy watches skeptically.
    LOMBARDY
    23... 24... Push. PUSH...! 25!
    Bobby is wasted but he won't stop.
    BOBBY
    One more set.
    He begins another set. Lombardy starts again at "1". OMITTED DOC-STYLE: IN A TOURNAMENT HALL (70'S ROCK CONT.)
    RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
    Today, rising American chess champion, Bobby Fischer won his twentieth consecutive game... a world record.
    Bobby writes "mate" on his scorecard. The player opposite him has been crushed. Bobby hands the pen to Lombardy. DOC-STYLE: OUTSIDE THE TOURNAMENT HALL (70'S ROCK CONT.) Bobby is surrounded by FEMALE FANS swooning over him. Bobby's loving it. He turns to Lombardy.
    BOBBY
    You sure we can't stay here a couple more days?
    Lombardy grins. Bobby is enjoying the fruits of stardom. IN A HOTEL ROOM (70'S ROCK CONT.) Bobby lies in bed, listening to a tape recording. The CULT PREACHER is understated but authoritative. Like a father.
    CULT PREACHER (V.O.)
    The tide of history is changing, friend. God's plan has left them behind, so they plot to take the world away from God...
    Lombardy passes by in the hallway, looks in.
    LOMBARDY
    What are you listening to?
    BOBBY
    The Worldwide Church of God. These people are into some heavy shit.
    CULT PREACHER (V.O.)
    They will do anything in their power to destroy us. If we have any hope of surviving, we must expose them before the whole world...
    Lombardy walks out, shaking his head. DOC-STYLE: IN A PARK (70'S ROCK CONT.) Another interview.
    BOBBY
    I mean, what do we really know about radiation? ICBM'S? There are lots of things our government doesn't tell us.
    Regina adds an article: "Fischer Boycotts Fed for 2nd Time" BACK TO THE PARK (70'S ROCK CONT.) An interviewer speaks to him, off-camera
    INTERVIEWER (O.S.)
    So, Bobby, when did you last see your mother?
    BOBBY
    ....Uh...Haven't seen her in a few years, actually.
    IN THE MOSCOW APARTMENT As Regina tacks up the latest cover of Bobby's face. It's as if she can hear him being interviewed.
    INTERVIEWER (O.S.)
    And your father...?
    IN THE PARK Bobby's eyes flash.
    BOBBY
    Look, I thought you wanted to talk about chess.
    He summarily walks out of frame. IN THE MOSCOW APARTMENT Regina looks deep into her son's eyes. A HOTEL HALLWAY That same face. Manic mode. Giving orders.
    BOBBY
    --What'd Vancouver come back with?
    MARSHALL
    They've agreed to let you approve the lighting.
    BOBBY
    Good. What about the clocks? The \* BHB model with the button on top \* saves two seconds on each move.
    MARSHALL
    Flying them in from Germany.
    BOBBY
    And the placement of the table?
    MARSHALL
    They say there's not enough room in the hall.
    BOBBY
    That's bullshit! Tell them I insist \* on a ten foot radius.
    MARSHALL
    But if there isn't enough room--
    BOBBY
    I SAID, TELL 'EM! Now... What about the money?
    MARSHALL
    They won't budge.
    BOBBY
    Then I won't play.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby--
    BOBBY
    Did you read Time magazine?
    (quoting)
    Quote. Bobby Fischer is changing the face of chess, single-handedly making it the fastest growing sport in the world. Unquote.
    BOBBY
    You know how much Joe Namath makes? $250,000. That's 12K per game. And he's never won a single championship. I'm EIGHT TIME U.S. champ. You know what I make?
    MARSHALL
    So what you're saying is you want to play for the Jets?
    Bobby senses Lombardy's gaze, turns to him.
    BOBBY
    ...What--?
    LOMBARDY
    Just wondering what any of this has to do with chess.
    At the end of the hallway, FANS are waiting.
    BOBBY
    (to Lombardy)
    Gotta pen?
    Lombardy obliges; a fan hands Bobby an autograph book.
    BOBBY
    Tu jeux aux echecs?
    The kid nods eagerly. Bobby grins.
    BOBBY
    Better not be good. I don't need any more competition.
    The fan is thrilled as Bobby signs with a flourish.

INT. THE SAME BROOKLYN DINER - DAY
    Early 70's music. Joan is in booth, anxiously smoking a cigarette. Marshall is already talking as he sits down.
    MARSHALL
    Joan, I'm between three airports and hell. I have ten minutes in New York to see my wife, kiss my kids and talk to you. How the hell have you been? You're looking great.
    JOAN
    I have to see him. Every time I call, they say his phone is broken.
    MARSHALL
    That happens.
    JOAN
    You mean he breaks them. I want to take him to see a doctor.
    MARSHALL
    That just won't be possible. He's already in Vancouver ...Joan, it's been a while since you saw him, right?
    JOAN
    Over a year.
    MARSHALL
    I can tell you he's in great shape.
    Joan opens her purse and produces a pile of letters.
    JOAN
    Every week his letters get more crazy. Go ahead, take a look.
    MARSHALL
    They're private letters to you Joan. I respect his privacy.
    Joan stares at him. Her face hardens.
    JOAN
    I showed them to a psychiatrist friend. He said Bobby is displaying signs of delusional psychosis.
    MARSHALL
    Chess is a crazy world. Some of the things he says about the Soviets are true. In Tunis we found listening devices in his hotel room...
    JOAN
    (reading)
    'The Communists infect my mind with words that just keep repeating'.
    Marshall blanches. He's not entirely without conscience.
    JOAN
    'The Jews are helping them too. The Jews want to keep the chess federation all to themselves just like they own New York and own and control most Governments in the world'...
    (crumples the letter)
    We are Jewish. Bobby is Jewish. What do your people say to him when he comes out with this trash?
    MARSHALL
    Joan, I swear this isn't just about the title anymore. It's about the beauty of the games he's playing.
    (looks around)
    Out of all the crazy stuff -- such unimaginable beauty. A Da Vinci. From Brooklyn. Once every five hundred years... Grandmasters are watching Bobby play with tears in their eyes.
    JOAN
    Well, I have tears in my eyes too!
    Heads turn. Marshall checks his watch.
    MARSHALL
    Joan, I'll take care of him.
    (touches her hand)
    I'll make sure his life doesn't get too crazy.

EXT. VANCOUVER TOURNAMENT HALL - DOC-STYLE
    Madness. Reporters and photographers converge on Bobby, Caption: Vancouver Interzonal, May 1971.
    RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
    Today in Buenos Aires, American chess star -- Bobby Fischer -- beat Russian grandmaster Tigran Petrosian in the semi-final of the World Chess Championships...
    Marshall and Lombardy try to shield him as they hurry down the steps of the hall. Bobby is wired as hell.
    VANCOUVER REPORTER
    Bobby, with this win you're guaranteed a shot at the title. How's it feel?
    BOBBY
    Pretty good, pretty good.
    VANCOUVER REPORTER
    The Russians are saying you don't have a chance against Spassky. Any comment on that?
    BOBBY
    Okay, okay, I'm making this up as I say it, right, so it might not come out so good...
    Cameras roll and flashlights POP...
    VANCOUVER REPORTER 2
    Hey Bobby, big angry look over here...
    Lombardy gently urges Bobby forward. Marshall holds back.
    BOBBY \*
    I just crushed Petrosian six-and-a- \* half to two-and-a-half. They know \* what I'm going to do to Spassky. \*
    VANCOUVER REPORTER \*
    Bobby, a crazy look over here.... \*
    Lombardy pushes Bobby toward a waiting limo.
    BOBBY
    They're scared now. That's why they bugged the phone in my hotel room.
    Murmurs among the press. Lombardy shakes his head.
    BOBBY
    They point things at my window from \* across the street. I wouldn't be \* surprised if they were bugging me right now. Sometimes I hear stuff \* buzzing in my clothes. I've even heard they can listen through the fillings in your teeth.
    Lombardy pushes Bobby into the car. A reporter follows.
    VANCOUVER REPORTER 2
    Petrosian said he wasn't well. That's the second Russian who got sick...
    BOBBY
    Sick of me sure as hell.
    Laughter. Bobby grins. His mood swings are growing stronger; suddenly he's having the time of his life. Flashbulbs POP.

INT. LIMO (TRAVELING) - SAME
    Bobby is grinning. Marshall puts an arm around him.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby, Bobby, Bobby..!
    LOMBARDY
    Congratulations, kiddo.
    MARSHALL
    Wide World of Sports is offering a \* segment, Cavett wants you, and -- \* are you ready...? Mike Wallace called. Mike Wallace. "60 Minutes," Bobby!
    BOBBY
    Yeah, well, about time... I don't want to be distracted by a bunch of press, though. I'll do the big ones.
    MARSHALL
    Great, great... Only-- when we do these shows... just go easy on the...bugging... and the teeth.
    BOBBY
    Whaddya mean? I'm telling the truth. People love that.
    MARSHALL
    I know, I know. You just need to be careful. Some things you say, they can be misinterpreted. People get worried when you talk like that...
    BOBBY
    People? What people?
    MARSHALL
    It doesn't matter... Which of these interviews do you want to do?
    BOBBY
    No... You said people are worried. What people?
    MARSHALL
    Nobody. I think Cavett would be a great idea--
    -- WHAT PEOPLE?
    MARSHALL
    ........Joan.
    BOBBY
    You talked to Joan? When? Did you talk to her on the phone? Did she call you?
    MARSHALL
    .....I was in New York. We had a cup of coffee.
    BOBBY
    You MET with my sister without telling me?! You TALKED about me with my sister?!
    MARSHALL
    She called me--
    BOBBY
    You think I'm a child who needs to be TALKED ABOUT?!
    MARSHALL
    I was looking out for your best interests--
    BOBBY
    Don't lawyer me!
    MARSHALL
    I'm trying to help you!
    BOBBY
    DON'T LAWYER ME! You're having conversations BEHIND MY BACK! With my FAMILY?! Did I ask you to do that? Why wouldn't you tell me about
    that? Who's working for who here? \* There are a hundred more of you, you \* know, just waiting in line.
    BOBBY
    Stop the car!
    MARSHALL
    Bobby, we're about to get everything you've ever wanted....
    BOBBY
    STOP THE CAR--!
    The car stops. Bobby jumps out. Lombardy turns to Marshall.
    LOMBARDY
    I'll walk him back.

EXT. VANCOUVER STREET - MOMENTS LATER
    Lombardy catches up to Bobby and they walk in silence for a moment. Then:
    LOMBARDY
    B6 to E1.
    After a moment...Bobby responds.
    BOBBY
    K4 to Qp4.
    LOMBARDY
    P4 to P5.
    They walk on. For the moment Bobby is back on track.

INT. VANCOUVER HOTEL RESTAURANT - LATER THAT NIGHT
    Marshall is eating alone.
    MARSHALL
    So?
    LOMBARDY
    He's back in his room.
    He sits down opposite Marshall.
    MARSHALL
    Is he okay?
    LOMBARDY
    He's in there listening to those tapes of his.
    MARSHALL
    Isn't it some kind of God Squad?
    LOMBARDY
    Those people have as much to do with God as you do.
    MARSHALL
    I'd've thought you'd approve...
    He leans across the table.
    MARSHALL
    Should we get him to see a someone, a psychiatrist.
    LOMBARDY
    Never happen.
    MARSHALL
    We have to try.
    (looks at him)
    The concierge told me he asked for the TV to be removed from his room because he thinks the Russians are watching him through the screen.
    LOMBARDY
    Maybe they are.
    MARSHALL
    He also believes they are going to try to blow up his plane.
    LOMBARDY
    He just needs some sleep. What good would a doctor do?
    MARSHALL
    He could give a diagnosis... He could give him a pill.
    The two men stare at each other.
    LOMBARDY
    And that would be like pouring concrete down a holy well.

EXT. OPEN PRAIRIE, RUSSIA - DAY
    Boris Spassky rides a stallion bare-chested. He is a man at ease. Reaching the crest he pulls up. Below a Lada waits. The sight of the car breaks the spell. Boris trots over to where Livo Nei leans on the car, smoking a cigarette. Nei's presence means there is news...

INT. JFK ARRIVALS - DAY - DOC-STYLE
    The press pack awaits the flight from Buenos Aires. Lombardy emerges from arrivals, followed by Marshall.
    RADIO ANCHOR (V.O.)
    Bobby Fischer -- the first American \* in history to reach the final -- \* arrived in Reykjavik today.... \*
    Bobby emerges...with a brown paper bag over his head with eyes cut for holes. Cameras POP...the real madness has begun.

INT. BOBBY'S BROWN BAG
    WE ARE INSIDE the paper bag. Frantic breathing, the bag sucking in and out. The press is SCREAMING, "You've never beaten Spassky. Why do you think you can you beat him now?"
    RADIO ANCHOR (V.O.)
    After months of negotiation, Fischer will now face the current World Champion Boris Spassky. \*

INT. JOAN'S SUBURBAN HOME, LIVING ROOM, NEW YORK
    Joan is getting her kids ready for school. The radio is on.
    RADIO ANCHOR (V.O.)
    The Fischer Spassky final will be televised world wide--
    Joan's son comes running up the path.
    RADIO ANCHOR (V.O.)
    --and is already being billed as the deciding battle in the war of ideas between East and West.
    Joan's son bursts through the door, breathless...
    JOAN'S DAUGHTER
    Mama, there are men on the lawn.
    Joan looks out and sees the press pack gathering on her lawn.
    DICK CAVETT (VO)
    Ladies and Gentlemen, my next guest was US Chess Champion at fourteen and a Grandmaster at fifteen--
    OMIT

INT. TV STUDIO - MOMENTS LATER
    DICK CAVETT
    --And now he's hoping to become Chess Champion of the whole world, Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Bobby Fischer...
    Bobby is sprawled in a chair, looking by turns shy and cocky.
    CAVETT
    So where does a chess player live?
    BOBBY
    I don't live anywhere. Hotels mostly.
    CAVETT
    In the past, you've made some pretty strong charges against the Soviets, accusing them of, of...
    BOBBY
    Cheating.
    Bobby grins. Laughter. Cavett glances at his audience..
    CAVETT
    Cheating is the word I was looking for...
    More laughter. Bobby is encouraged to go farther.
    BOBBY
    Cheating. Yeah, they've done a bit of that in the past.
    CAVETT
    An opponent once said you are like Achilles without the Achilles heel. Do you have a weakness?
    Silence. Bobby looks puzzled.
    BOBBY
    ...A weakness?...... No.
    He laughs easily. His lack of guile can be disarming.
    CAVETT
    What's the best moment when you win at chess, what's the home run moment?
    BOBBY
    (his smile fading)
    When you break his ego. That's where it's at--
    Cavett reacts with mock alarm.
    BOBBY
    --When he sees it coming and he breaks up inside. When you're, like, crushing the guy...
    (stares into the lights)
    Crushing the guy.
    (his eyes wild)
    Yeah, that's where it's at.
    The easy grin is gone. His smile appears haunted.

INT. BIG HOTEL SUITE
    Chaos. Marshall is checking travel documents. A couple of SECURITY GUYS wait by the door.
    MARSHALL
    Flight to Reykjavik's at nine. We need to get to JFK by 7.
    The noise is compounded by MUSIC Bobby listens to on a portable cassette player. He is shirtless, doing push-ups.
    LOMBARDY
    Does that have to be so loud?
    MARSHALL
    He doesn't want the Russians to hear which plane we're catching.
    BOBBY
    (yells over the music)
    THIS GROUP IS INCREDIBLE! They get thirty percent of ticket sales at their concerts. I should get that.
    MARSHALL
    (yelling back)
    We agreed to twenty-five... \*
    BOBBY
    (more push-ups)
    Yeah, well it's thirty now.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby. You agreed. You signed.
    BOBBY
    Yeah, well, I changed my mind. Thirty or I don't go.
    The room falls silent. The other have 'told you so' faces.
    MARSHALL
    If I ask for thirty, they'll say you're scared to face him.
    BOBBY
    Don't try that psychology crap on me. Without me no one outside Russia would know this thing is happening. I am the light shining on this game.
    (standing up)
    All of you are here because of me... I am a hundred per cent of the reason-- no, that's wrong -- Spassky is the reigning champion -- I want thirty percent for him too.
    (pacing; manic)
    But understand one thing: I don't just play for myself. I play for Chess. \*
    He stares, triumphant, at Marshall -- who nods, conciliatory.
    MARSHALL
    I'll call them from the airport.
    (to the others)
    Okay, people, we need to get packed.
    Lombardy takes Marshall's arm, leads him into the next room.
    LOMBARDY
    He told me he doesn't want to go to Iceland.
    MARSHALL
    He wants to go.
    LOMBARDY
    He doesn't know what he wants...
    MARSHALL
    But you do.
    Lombardy just stares at him, fuming.
    MARSHALL
    Look, my job was to get him this match. How about you do your job...
    LOMBARDY
    What's that supposed to mean?
    MARSHALL
    Get him ready. Help him win.
    LOMBARDY
    What have I been doing for three years?
    MARSHALL
    Babying him. Catering to his bullshit--
    LOMBARDY
    Keeping him from cracking up is more like it. This may be hard for you to comprehend, but he's a person, not a meal ticket or a political symbol or an instrument of US foreign policy.
    MARSHALL
    I am so sick and tired of your sanctimonious bullshit... If you don't have the stomach for this I suggest you go find a church, get down on your knees and thank God you don't live in Russia.
    LOMBARDY
    What if something happens?
    MARSHALL
    Like what?
    Lombardy glances through the open door at Bobby, who has turned off the music and inserted a home-made tape of The Worldwide Church of God. Lombardy doesn't want to give voice to his worst fears.
    LOMBARDY
    ...I don't know.
    Marshall shakes his head and turns back to getting ready. \* Lombardy heads into Bobby's room. The Worldwide Church of \* God comes from the tape player.
    CULT PREACHER (V.O.)
    --and when you see how the tide of history is changing, friend, you see how desperate they are.
    LOMBARDY
    Can you turn that off for a second?
    BOBBY \*
    What's up...?
    LOMBARDY \*
    Bobby. If you don't want to go, \* then you shouldn't go. \*
    A long moment as Bobby stares at him. \*
    BOBBY \*
    I thought you wanted me to win. \*
    LOMBARDY \*
    I do. Too much, maybe. But I think... \* all the pressure... is... bad for \* you.
    BOBBY \*
    I'm cool. \*
    Lombardy has to say it, whatever the consequences. \*
    LOMBARDY
    ...You need help. \*
    BOBBY
    What kind of help...? Oh. You mean \* psychology. You think I need psychological help?! You know who invented that, right? The Jews. I don't need anybody's help. I don't need the Jews' help, I don't need \* God's help. And I definitely don't \* need your help, Father. \*
    (looks at him) \* When I call you, 'Father,' I think, like, he's not my dad. Is that what \* you think? That you're my Dad?
    LOMBARDY \*
    I don't think I'm your dad, Bobby. \*
    BOBBY \*
    You're not my dad because I don't \* have one. You know what you are? \* You're a loser. You couldn't beat \* Spassky so why should I? You quit \* so you want me to quit. Is that it, \* Dad? You'll feel better if I turn out to be a loser... LIKE YOU! \*
    Lombardy stares at him, then starts out. Bobby is immediately \* contrite. \*
    BOBBY
    (calling after him)
    Hey, I've been working on a new variation on the Indian Defense, wanna take a look?
    LOMBARDY
    Later.
    In the hotel room, Marshall has overheard the tirade.
    MARSHALL
    Love how you handle him.
    Lombardy picks up his bag.
    MARSHALL
    We're not leaving for half an hour.
    LOMBARDY
    (fighting back emotion)
    ...I'll...take a later flight.
    He leaves. Bobby appears in the doorway.
    BOBBY
    Where's he going?
    MARSHALL
    Jesus has left the building, pal. We're on our own.

EXT. MILITARY AIRFIELD - GATE - MOSCOW
    A Zil limo with a Soviet flag enters a military compound. They're escorted by police cars with flashing lights. In the back seat sits Boris, Geller at his side. A KGB guy sits at his other shoulder. Boris looks like a prisoner.

EXT. JFK AIRPORT - CURBSIDE
    A limo pulls to the curb. Marshall and the security guys jump out. Then Bobby appears. He looks like a hunted animal.

INT. MOSCOW MILITARY AIRBASE
    Boris is marched through the airbase. One KGB guy carries his coat. Another carries his suitcase.

INT. JFK TERMINAL - UPSTAIRS HALL
    Marshall, Lombardy and the security guys hustle Bobby through.

EXT. MOSCOW MILITARY AIRBASE
    Boris boards an Aeroflot jet. Russian soldiers salute. Geller salutes back but Boris just stares.

INT. JFK AIRPORT
    Bobby and the others ride up an escalator. AT THE TOP OF ESCALATOR Suddenly JOURNALISTS spot Bobby...
    JFK JOURNALIST
    There he is!
    Bobby shoves Marshall aside, turns, and runs back down the up escalator.

EXT. JFK AIRPORT
    Bobby leaps into a taxi.
    BOBBY
    Drive, drive!!
    Bobby sinks down out of sight as the cab pulls away. We HOLD on his face, eyes darting, as we HEAR:
    JOHANNESON (V.O.)
    Ladies and Gentlemen, It is with great pleasure that I welcome the world to our little island--

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
    Caption: National Theater, Reykjavik, Iceland, July 1st 1972.
    JÓHANNESSON
    --for the most important sporting event in history. Joining us today are the distinguished Ambassador of the Soviet Socialist Republic TBD, and Ambassador Tremblay of the United States of America.
    A jostling crowd, news crews from around the world. The crowd applauds the Icelandic Prime Minister, JOHANNESON. He nods to US AMBASSADOR TREMBLAY and his Russian counterpart.
    JÓHANNESSON
    Also the great match adjudicator from the World Chess Federation, Lothar Schmid...
    SCHMID
    Thank you, Prime Minister. I am honored, but confused. I was always led to believe that chess needed two people for a game. Unfortunately, so far, we only have one.
    Boris Spassky is sitting with Livo, Nei and Geller.
    SCHMID
    Happily, our Russian friends have managed to get here on time. We are indeed honored to have with us the World Champion, comrade Boris Spassky.
    Applause as Spassky smiles shyly and waves.
    SCHMID
    However... it seems our American friends have managed to lose their famous Mr Bobby Fischer...
    He turns to US Ambassador Tremblay. The crowd boos.
    SCHMID
    One hopes they are not so careless with their nuclear weapons.
    The crowd laughs. The Soviet Ambassador smiles at Tremblay, who whispers to an aide.
    TREMBLAY
    Son of a bitch. Where is he?
    AIDE
    Mr. Ambassador, we have a problem.
    OMIT

INT. THE FISCHER APARTMENT - DAWN
    As if frozen in time. Strips of aluminum hang from the windows. Chessboards are set up but covered with dust. Bobby sits alone at a chessboard.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND (DOC-STYLE)
    US Ambassador Tremblay is waylaid by JOURNALISTS.
    ICELANDIC JOURNALIST
    Mr. Ambassador, is Bobby Fischer's behavior affecting US/Icelandic relations?
    ICELANDIC JOURNALIST #2 (V.O.)
    There's talk of the Icelandic Parliament asking for the removal of the US Air Force base--
    ICELANDIC JOURNALIST
    Is it true Fischer has demanded two million dollars to come to Reykjavik?
    TREMBLAY
    I love chess. The world loves chess. We are here to celebrate chess.
    (to an aide)
    Tell me Fischer is on a plane.
    The aide looks like he's about to throw up.
    TREMBLAY
    Get him here! Even if you have to use a damn tranquilizer dart.

INT. THE FISCHER APARTMENT - NIGHT
    The apartment is in shadows. Bobby dials the phone.
    BOBBY
    Joanie, where the hell are you?
    INTERCUT - JOAN'S BEDROOM Joan's in bed beside her sleeping husband.
    JOAN
    Hello?
    BOBBY
    Joanie?
    JOAN
    Bobby, is that you? Where are you?
    BOBBY
    ...I'm here.
    JOAN
    In Iceland?
    BOBBY
    No. Here. Home.
    JOAN
    You're in New York?
    BOBBY
    Had to get away from them...
    JOAN
    Bobby, are you okay?
    BOBBY
    The whole world is pulling at me, Joanie.
    JOAN
    Stay there, baby. I'll come in.
    He's a lonely little boy in a scary world.
    BOBBY
    ...They're asking me questions, making me do stuff. So many people. Crowding me. I can't think, I can't think about chess.
    JOAN
    I'm coming now. You stay there.
    Bobby HEARS a CLICKING on the phone.
    BOBBY
    You hear that? They're listening. They're always listening...
    At that moment there is a heavy KNOCK on the apartment door.
    BOBBY
    They're HERE! They're coming to get me, Joanie!
    JOAN
    Oh, Bobby....
    The KNOCKING gets heavier. Someone is breaking down the door. Bobby whimpers. Finally the door flies open and Marshall enters, accompanied by two HEAVIES we haven't seen before.
    MARSHALL
    Hey, pal, we were worried about you.
    Bobby confronts them with fists clenched. Marshall gently closes the door and gives a slip of paper to one of his men. The guy goes to Bobby's phone and begins to dial.
    BOBBY
    Hey! You pay for that call!
    MARSHALL
    Bobby, why'd you run away?
    BOBBY
    (a speed rap)
    I changed my mind the money's no good they're charging five bucks a ticket the hall holds eleven hundred, twenty-four games max...that's 132 grand!Ï They should be paying me more we're capitalists, right?
    MARSHALL
    Big news. Just got us an extra 125K.
    It's like Marshall is gentling an escaped animal.
    MARSHALL
    Some English chess nut. Wants to see you play so bad.
    The guy on the phone nods, holds up the receiver.
    MARSHALL
    But it's not just me who wants you to play, Bobby. There's someone on the phone wants to speak to you.
    BOBBY
    My mom?
    MARSHALL
    Better. Henry Fucking Kissinger.
    Bobby stares at the phone in disbelief.
    MARSHALL
    Henry Kissinger! On your phone. In Brooklyn! Pretty amazing, huh?
    Marshall gently takes the phone and offers it to Bobby.
    BOBBY
    You're joking me.
    MARSHALL
    Wants to speak to you on behalf of the President.
    Bobby looks around where the Communist Party used to meet. He thinks he sees the banner hanging as it once did.
    MARSHALL
    All these years you've been talking about America. Now you are America. Take the phone.
    Bobby takes the phone and puts it to his ear.
    KISSINGER (O.S.)
    Hey, Bobby Fischer...
    Bobby takes a breath, almost sobs.
    KISSINGER (O.S.)
    This is the worst chess player in the world talking to the best. The President and I want you to do your duty for your country. What do you say?
    Bobby is at a loss for a moment. Then focuses.
    BOBBY
    I guess I'll go do my duty. Sir.
    70's ROCK MUSIC KICKS IN.

EXT. FISCHER APARTMENT, NIGHT (MUSIC CONT OVER)
    Marshall emerges, checks the street. A bread van is parked nearby. Two heavies emerge on hurry him into the van..
    MARSHALL
    No limos. We travel in disguise.
    BOBBY
    I will accept one seven five US. That's the deal, right? Half in cash.
    The doors SLAM shut and the bread van roars away.

A119 EXT. MANHATTAN TUNNEL (2ND UNIT) A119
    The van heads toward JFK.
    BBC ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
    This is the BBC World Service. American chess Grandmaster, Bobby Fischer, is believed to be finally on his way to Iceland for--
    The announcement becomes an Italian broadcaster...
    ITALIAN ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
    --his match with Boris Spassky.
    It becomes a CACOPHONY of radio commentary in various languages that Bobby is on his way. OMIT OMIT INTERCUT: MAN-ON-STREET INTERVIEWS: (MUSIC CONT OVER)
    A BUS DRIVER
    Fischer is to chess what Ali is to boxing. I love him.
    A LONG-HAIRED HIPPIE
    --Least there's one reason to feel good about America, you hear me?

INT. MANHATTAN CHESS CLUB - SAME (MUSIC CONT OVER)
    Father Lombardy watches a small TV, his emotions roiling.

INT. JFK AIRPORT BAGGAGE TUNNEL(MUSIC CONT OVER)
    Men in dark suits escort Bobby as he steps out of the van.

INT. REGINA'S MOSCOW APARTMENT - DAY (MUSIC CONT OVER)
    On a black-and-white TV, a grainy image of Bobby emerging at Reykjavik airport. Regina is watching. The announcer is Russian but we recognize the name 'Bobby Fischer." INTERCUT - A MONTAGE OF NEWS COMMENTATORS (MUSIC CONT OVER) John Chancellor, Walter Cronkite, Harry Reasoner -- all in breathless anticipation of the match. A TV SOUNDBITE (MUSIC CONT OVER) As Bobby arrives in Reykjavik.
    BOBBY
    This thing with me and Spassky. Instead of bombs we're having it out with little pieces of ivory.

EXT. ICELAND - DAY (MUSIC CONT. OVER)
    A police car speeds down empty Icelandic roads. Bobby sits in the back with Marshall, staring out at the bleak landscape. They arrive at the same house we saw in the opening shot.

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE (MUSIC CONT. OVER)
    Bobby enters, takes in the beautiful decor.
    MARSHALL
    Five bedrooms. Pick any one you want. Place even has a sauna.
    Bobby is incredulous....and moved.
    BOBBY
    This is the first house I ever lived in.
    INTERCUT - TV SOUNDBITES - ARCHIVAL - (MUSIC CONT OVER) CBS News is all over it. ERIC SEVAREID (on TV) A chess craze is sweeping the nation. Sales of chess sets have tripled in the past weeks and stores literally can't keep them in stock... VARIOUS IMAGES - ARCHIVAL - (MUSIC CONT OVER) Kids playing chess at home, in schools, in the park.

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE, BOBBY'S BEDROOM
    Bobby is on his knees searching for listening devices. A gentle knock on the door and Lombardy enters.
    BOBBY
    Hey, they said you weren't coming.
    Bobby looks wired, sleepless -- but his vulnerability is so compelling. Lombardy is full of emotion but he covers it.
    LOMBARDY
    I'm your second. \*
    They look at each other. Three years have forged a deep bond between them.
    BOBBY
    Thank you. Father.
    LOMBARDY
    Anything I can get you, Bobby?
    BOBBY
    Yeah. Help me check for bugs. These cheaters'll do anything to get me.

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE, LIVING ROOM
    Marshall is signing contracts when Lombardy enters.
    MARSHALL
    Couldn't stay away, huh? I get it. \* Yankees are playing for the pennant \* and you've got a front row seat. \*
    Lombardy just looks at him.
    MARSHALL
    A billion people around the world watching two guys play chess. President Nixon has had a TV put in the Oval Office.
    (lights a cigarette)
    World War III on a chessboard. We lost China. We're losing Vietnam. We have to win this one.

EXT. NATIONAL THEATER, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
    TV CREWS report in their own languages. The only words we understand are 'Bobby Fischer' and 'Boris Spassky'... Caption: July 11th 1972. Game One.
    ABC COMMENTATOR \*
    This is ABC's Wide World of Sports \* bringing you live coverage of the World Championship of Chess...
    Boris Spassky arrives, looking relaxed. News cameras shoot \* him as he steps out to cheers. No sign of Bobby.
    ABC COMMENTATOR (CONT'D) \*
    Best of 24 games. Each win is worth \* a point, each draw is half-a-point -- the chess version of a fifteen round heavyweight prize fight.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL 134\*
    Utter stillness. Schmid -- the adjudicator -- looks at the big clock above the stage. Boris sits erect in his chair, refusing to be psyched out. \* The crowd is growing restless and SLOW HAND CLAPPING begins... \*

A135 INT. NATIONAL THEATER HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS A135
    As Bobby approaches the stage, the SOUND of CLAPPING grows louder. He stops. B135 ON THE STAGE B135 FLASHBULBS signal Bobby's entrance! Some applause, some boos. As Bobby strides across the stage, Spassky holds out his hand but Bobby walks right past him. He greets Schmid, then waves to the crowd. Then Bobby seems to notice Spassky for the first time, smiles.
    BOBBY
    Boris!
    He lurches over, sticks out a hand.
    BOBBY
    How ya been? Good? You look good.
    Spassky is wrong-footed. Doesn't know if he's being fucked with. A BLIZZARD of FLASHBULBS as they shake.
    SCHMID
    Now we come together for the drawing of the colors.
    Boris takes two pawns, black and white, in his closed fists.
    BORIS
    Choose...
    We now follow the word 'choose' as it travels West.

INT. BROOKLYN CHESS CLUB, NEW YORK CITY
    Carmine and others watch raptly.
    BORIS
    Choose...

INT. WHITE HOUSE, OVAL OFFICE, WASHINGTON
    Through a half open door, we see the backs of the President and his advisers watching TV...
    BORIS
    Choose...

INT. KREMLIN, PRESIDENTIAL SANCTUM, MOSCOW
    President Brezhnev is watching as well...
    BORIS
    Choose...

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL, STAGE
    Close on Boris's hand opening in SLOW-MOTION.
    SCHMID
    Mr Fischer chose black. Mr Spassky will begin.
    Bobby and Boris's eyes meet. The applause crescendos.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL, STAGE
    Silence. Bobby and Spassky sit absolutely still. Fischer's thumb and forefinger push his lips into a contemplative grimace. Boris moves his Knight to King's Bishop Four.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    The advisers look down on the stage. Bobby makes his move. \* A whisper passes among them. Lombardy makes a note.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL, STAGE
    TIME-CUT. A large SCREEN above the stage shows the moves. Bobby studies the board.

A142 INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY A142
    Lombardy and Marshall stand together.
    MARSHALL
    So far, so good...
    LOMBARDY
    They're both following the Nizmo. A draw in the opening game is fine.
    B142 BACK TO THE STAGE B142 Behind him, Bobby hears an official shift his weight. A \* piece of paper CRINKLES in his hand.
    BOBBY
    Could you hush...
    The official looks puzzled. Bobby tries to concentrate. A few COUGHS. Bobby looks at the audience and imitates a particular cough viciously. A few sniggers. Then... a low BUZZING, WHIRRING noise from behind him. BOBBY'S PERCEPTION The sound of A CAMERA is like the rip of a buzz saw. An electrical panel BUZZES. The COUGHS of the audience are magnified as if in a TB ward.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL, STAGE
    Back to normal sound. Bobby tries to concentrate. Can't.
    BOBBY
    What IS that?
    Boris slumps back in his seat. Some eyes roll.
    BOBBY
    That buzz buzz buzz...
    Schmid cocks an ear.
    SCHMID
    It is just a camera.
    BOBBY
    Buzz, buzz, buzz. Jesus.
    Bobby gets to his feet and begins to pace. The crowd begins to WHISPER. He turns on them...
    BOBBY
    Could you all shut up? Could everyone stop?
    Silence. Then a deliberate cough from some teenager.
    BOBBY
    JESUS!
    (to Schmid)
    Coughing, buzzing lights. Cameras everywhere. I can hear them rolling. You're gonna have to do something...
    A couple of people in the crowd dare to boo.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    Lombardy and Marshall share a look. An inauspicious beginning. Nei turns to Geller.
    GELLER
    He is deliberately trying to unsettle Boris. Help him.
    Lombardy sees Nei leaving and decides he too must go down.

A145 INT. NATIONAL THEATER, STAIRCASE A145
    Lombardy and Nei race down the steps, two at a time.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL
    Nei is speaking to Schmid. \* Bobby looks out at the sea of staring faces.
    BOBBY
    We have to get rid of the cameras.
    (points to a curtain)
    Behind there. I can hear them...
    SCHMID \*
    They are just TV cameras. \*
    BOBBY
    And there's something wrong with the lights....
    (looks at the board)
    It's too dark...I can't see what anything is.
    He looks out into the darkness. \*
    BOBBY
    And the audience.
    SCHMID \*
    What's wrong with the audience?
    BOBBY
    They gotta move back.
    Then Spassky abruptly makes his move.
    SCHMID \*
    Mr. Spassky has made his move. \*
    BOBBY
    (pointing)
    And up there... You don't hear what I do...
    Lombardy looks up into the lights. Hears nothing. \* 146 BOBBY'S PERCEPTION 146\* The buzzing of FLORESCENT LIGHTS sounds like a SWARM OF WASPS.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL, STAGE
    Bobby swings his arms around, trying to shake it off. Finally he returns to his seat. Spassky studies him dispassionately.
    BORIS
    You don't look so good Robert James...
    Bobby lowers his head, looks back to the board... OMITTED OMITTED

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING STAGE
    Bobby tries to concentrate. A chair SCRAPES. He looks up, distracted. Looks back at the board. The SOUND of someone TALKING in the audience. He looks up again. With each distraction, Bobby is more unsettled. A cough SOUNDS like a CANNON, a squeak is a SCREAM. Bobby's eyes dart furtively. He reaches for a piece.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    Lombardy returns to the gallery as Bobby moves his Bishop. \*
    LOMBARDY
    He's inviting Spassky to exchange.
    (studies his notes)
    I hope to God this is a trap.
    Spassky makes his move. The Russian advisers all scribble.
    LOMBARDY
    Spassky's taking the invitation.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL, STAGE
    Bobby is in the throes of a full-fledged anxiety attack. His heart is pounding, his breathing ragged. Spassky knows it. He is a vulture attending his prey. Bobby is a slow-motion train wreck. The distractions begin to profliferate -- each one EXAGGERATED, the sound MAGNIFIED. A SERIES of rapid CUTS -- like a deck of cards shuffling. Bobby is fighting for his life. He can't take it a moment more. He reaches out to make a move...

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    LOMBARDY
    Ah shit....

INT. NATIONAL THEATER
    We SEE the move on the large board. A GASP from the crowd.
    ABC COMMENTATOR \*
    That move will hit the front page of \* every newspaper in the world tomorrow
    155 IN BROOKLYN 155\* Carmine closes his eyes. IN LONG ISLAND Joan shakes her head. IN MOSCOW Regina clutches her chair.
    ANCHOR
    -- Because Bobby Fischer has made a huge mistake....

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL
    Suddenly, onstage, Bobby leaps to his feet...
    BOBBY
    I can still hear the cameras!
    (turns to the curtain)
    I want these people out of here...
    Bobby YANKS the curtain and drags two TV cameramen, blinking, into the light. The crowd begins to laugh, others jeer.
    BOBBY
    They were whispering!!
    The crowd begins to BOO and then slow hand clap.
    SCHMID
    ...first game goes to...Boris Spassky.
    The SCOREBOARD reads: Spassky 1 Fischer 0.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, BEHIND THE STAGE
    Bobby stalks away in a fury. He heads downstairs.

A160 INT. NATIONAL THEATER, STAIRWAY A160
    Marshall and Lombardy race downstairs to catch up to him.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PING PONG ROOM
    Marshall and Lombardy manage to catch up to Bobby in a small room used as a recreation area: a drinks machine and a ping pong table. Suddenly the noise of the auditorium disappears.
    MARSHALL
    It's just one game. One point. You'll take him tomorrow. Twelve- and-a-half points is a long match.
    Bobby is breathing hard -- but then he stops and looks around.
    LOMBARDY
    The reporters will go after Spassky. We can slip out another way...
    Bobby is staring around in wonder -- studying the bare walls.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby? Are you okay?
    BOBBY
    It's quiet in here.
    Marshall and Lombardy look at each other. They think Bobby is being crazy. Later we will learn he has just found the answer to his problems.

A161 INT. THE WHITE HOUSE, OVAL OFFICE A161
    Watching TV, the President throws his pencil in anger...

EXT. NATIONAL THEATER - NIGHT
    Boris Spassky leaves to a hero's reception. Some wave Soviet flags. The crows push against the glass as they pull away. OMITTED

A163 EXT. REYKJAVIK STREET - NIGHT (SECOND UNIT) A163
    Bobby's car heads home.

INT. BOBBY'S CAR - SAME (POOR MAN'S PROCESS)
    Bobby, Lombardy and Marshall ride in silence. When Bobby speaks, it is oddly detached, as if talking to himself.
    BOBBY
    The board. When I look at it, I see nothing. It's always been...I don't know...alive.
    (shakes his head)
    With that move, I tried to make it come alive. I thought...maybe I could make it...alive again. Jolt it. It's never happened before. I don't get it........
    He closes his eyes. Lombardy and Marshall look at each other.

A164 EXT. REYKJAVIK STREET - NIGHT (2ND UNIT) A164
    Boris' limo heads home.

INT. LIMO, TRAVELING (POOR MAN'S PROCESS)
    Boris and Nei settle into their seats and the car pulls away. Boris removes his sunglasses. He looks deeply weary.
    NEI
    He broke apart at the first hard blow.
    BORIS
    He shot himself in the the head. For no reason.
    NEI
    You loaded the gun.
    Boris stares thoughtfully out of the window.
    BORIS
    My chess teacher taught me....A man who is prepared to commit suicide always has the initiative.

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE, HALLWAY
    Lombardy brings Bobby a dinner tray. As he enters, we HEAR another RECORDING of The Worldwide Church of God.
    CULT PREACHER (O.S.)
    ...We know the truth of history, friend, you and I. We see them everywhere, working through their banks and corporations, through politics and the media...
    LOMBARDY
    You should be preparing for tomorrow instead of listening to this garbage.
    BOBBY
    You really don't get it, do you? This isn't about me, or Spassky, or even Russia and America. This is about power, absolute global power.
    LOMBARDY
    Bobby-- \*
    BOBBY
    You think they care about chess -- wooden pieces on a board? \*
    (his eyes are wild)
    They run everything. Behind the \* scenes, pulling strings in secret! Now I know who they are.
    Marshall has entered during Bobby's rant.
    MARSHALL
    Who? Who runs things?
    LOMBARDY
    (wearily) \*
    He's talking about the Jews.
    MARSHALL \*
    The Jews? What about the Jews?
    BOBBY
    They've been there from when I started playing. They've always been there.
    Lombardy shakes his head and walks out. \*
    MARSHALL \*
    You got your ass handed to you today. If you don't get your head in the game, you're going to be humiliated in front of a billion people.
    Bobby is madly scribbling something, hands it to Marshall. \*
    BOBBY
    Give them this. \*
    He ushers Marshall out and slams the door. \*

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE, LIVING ROOM 166\*
    Lombardy is studying Bobby's disastrous move in Game One as \* Marshall enters. \*
    LOMBARDY \*
    What he did today makes no sense...
    MARSHALL \*
    (hands him the note)
    Unless the rest of the games are played without an audience and without cameras he isn't going to show up.
    LOMBARDY \*
    (reading the note) \*
    He'll only continue if the games are \* played-- (a disbelieving pause) --in the ping pong room...??????
    MARSHALL \*
    He says it's the only place that's quiet.
    He looks up at the ceiling. We HEAR the muffled recording.
    MARSHALL
    And he wants a different board. \* Says the marble makes too much noise \* when he sets the pieces down. Shit. Shit. Shit. The kid has the world in the palm of his hand and he's throwing it all away.
    (thinks)
    It's like you said about Morphy. Chess is destroying his brain.
    LOMBARDY
    Chess isn't destroying Bobby. \*
    MARSHALL
    Then why the crazy demands? It's like he wants them to say no. I think he's afraid of what happens if he loses.
    LOMBARDY
    I think he's afraid of what happens if he wins.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL
    The audience sits in stunned silence. Boris steps onstage but there is no applause. He sits down at the chess table. Bobby's seat is empty. Caption: Game Two.

EXT. ICELANDIC HILLS
    A pastoral idyll. We find Bobby playing around, laughing with an Icelandic pony. He runs with it, strokes its mane.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING HALL
    Boris sits perfectly still. Schmid hits the clock and the COUNTDOWN to Bobby's forfeit begins. The audience doesn't move a muscle. Suddenly the door to the auditorium OPENS and all heads turn. But it is only a match official who freezes in his tracks. The clock TICKS.

EXT. ICELANDIC HILLS
    Bobby rides his bike through the hills. It's the most carefree we've ever seen him.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PLAYING STAGE
    Boris's clock hits zero. A sigh from the audience.
    SCHMID
    Mr Fischer failed to show. Mr Spassky wins by forfeit.
    The SCOREBOARD changes to: Spassky 2 Fischer 0. Schmid reads from a typed sheet.
    SCHMID
    According to Federation rules, Mr Fischer has 24 hours to indicate in writing that he wishes to continue.

EXT. ICELANDIC HILLS
    Bobby is on his knees. A pony comes and licks his hand. Bobby checks his watch...
    SCHMID (V.O.)
    Otherwise, Mr Fischer will be disqualified and Mr Spassky will be declared World Champion.

INT. SAGA HOTEL, BORIS SPASSKY'S ROOM - LATER
    Spassky is alone -- pacing -- listening to radio commentary.
    RADIO ANCHOR (V.O.)
    What a disappointing turn. Experts are saying the match is Spassky's, regardless of what happens now --
    Livo Nei enters, carrying a bottle of champagne.
    RADIO ANCHOR (V.O.)
    --a two point advantage is considered practically insurmountable.
    A message card is tied to the bottle. Nei reads it aloud.
    NEI
    From Comrade Brezhnev. He sends congratulations on your victory.
    BORIS
    Victory?
    Nei opens the bottle and pours two glasses.
    NEI
    If Comrade Brezhnev says it is a victory--
    (toasts)
    -- it is a victory.

EXT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE (REPEATED SCENE)
    We repeat the scene that opened the movie -- The granite house at dawn. The police car approaching.

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE, BOBBY'S BEDROOM - DAWN
    The scene continues where it left off:
    MARSHALL
    Bobby, please...get dressed, comb your hair.
    A long pause. Finally, Bobby looks up at Marshall.
    BOBBY
    Ping pong.
    Marshall's face turns to stone.
    MARSHALL
    I will report your words to the President of the United States. You have betrayed your country. May you rot in hell you crazy son of a bitch.
    Marshall leaves. Bobby looks...almost content.

INT. SAGA HOTEL, BORIS'S ROOM - EARLY MORNING
    Boris is pacing, playing six boards at once. He wears pajamas. In his anxiety and fast movement he resembles Bobby.
    BBC ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
    The world chess championship looks to be ending in humiliation for the American, Bobby Fischer, whose demands that the game be held in a store room have led to widespread ridicule.
    Boris checks his watch.

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE, OUTSIDE BOBBY'S BEDROOM
    Marshall holds a stack of telexes. He knocks.
    MARSHALL
    I have messages from a million people all over the world who want you to open this door.
    Silence. Marshall kneels and shoves them under the door.
    MARSHALL
    You still have two-and-a-half hours.
    No reply. Marshall opens the door. Bobby is gone.

INT. SAGA HOTEL, BORIS'S ROOM
    Boris prowls from chess game to chess game, he stops and stares at the empty chair on the other side of the chessboard.
    BORIS
    I know exactly what game you are playing and I will not let you win.
    Boris begins to speak to the walls and the furniture.
    BORIS
    I cannot win this way.
    (to the room)
    I know you are listening. You are always listening.
    He approaches the wardrobe and speaks with formality.
    BORIS
    Mr Bubnov, Mr Geller, General Secretary Brezhnev, I know your listening devices can hear me.
    He suddenly HURLS a chess table across the room.
    BORIS
    I WILL NOT WIN THIS WAY...DO YOU
    HEAR ME--!!
    After a moment, a KNOCK at the door. Boris half smiles to himself. It is Geller, also in pajamas.
    GELLER
    Is everything okay?
    BORIS
    What makes you think it isn't?
    GELLER (DEFENSIVE)
    I heard you through the wall.
    BORIS
    I have made a decision... If I don't beat him, he will escape from this island in one piece.
    Geller picks up the overturned table.
    GELLER
    It's not your fault the American is insane...
    BORIS
    He is NOT insane!
    (shakes his head)
    If you think that, he has fooled you the way he has fooled everyone else.
    Boris begins to pace. His manic energy resembles Bobby's.
    BORIS
    He knows if we play I will destroy him. Crush him. So he uses madness as an excuse to avoid the inevitable. I will not let him slip from my grasp. I have him pinned. I am two games ahead.
    (yells)
    I HAVE HIM!
    Boris starts to unbutton his pajama top.
    BORIS
    Get a message to Fischer. Now. This minute.
    He tears his shirt off and throws it onto the bed.
    BORIS
    I will play him in the ping pong room. I will play him in the toilet if he likes. He will not escape!
    Boris stares at Geller with steely resolve.
    BORIS
    Tell him.

EXT. ICELANDIC LANDSCAPE
    An old bicycle on the ground. An Icelandic police car approaches at speed. Marshall climbs out, cups his hands.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby!!!!

EXT. ICELANDIC MOORLAND
    Bobby is tossing pebbles into the water. He hears Marshall.

EXT. ICELANDIC MOORLAND
    Marshall is still yelling as Bobby appears over the hill.
    MARSHALL
    Bobby!! You won't believe it! Spassky has agreed to play in the ping pong room!
    Bobby picks up the bicycle and Marshall fears the worst.
    MARSHALL
    Where the hell are you going?
    Bobby casually begins to cycle away down the empty road.
    BOBBY
    To the ping pong room.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, CORRIDOR
    Lombardy, Marshall, and Bobby are walking fast backstage.
    MARSHALL
    We've got two minutes.
    OMIT

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PING PONG ROOM
    The ping pong table and drinks machine have been removed. In the center is a simple table. Geller, Nei, and Boris enter. Schmid checks his watch.
    SCHMID
    If he is even one minute late, I will fine him.
    Then Bobby enters -- wearing a sharp suit. He immediately \* goes and sits down in his seat at the table. \* Schmid gestures to Marshall, Lombardy, Geller and Nei.
    SCHMID
    Gentlemen...
    He is asking them to leave. They do. \*
    SCHMID
    (to Bobby)
    Perhaps you would be gracious enough to thank Mr Spassky for acquiescing to your demands.
    BOBBY
    I'm so grateful I'm going to let him watch me play.
    Spassky understands enough English to understand. He smiles. Schmid points to a small camera in the corner.
    SCHMID
    Only one camera. It does not move. It makes no sound. It will relay pictures to TV sets in every corner of the earth.
    (a frozen smile)
    So please, gentlemen, if can we remember...the world is watching.
    As Bobby looks around, a slow, satisfied SMILE begins to soften his face as he revels in the stillness. It is quiet.

A185 INT. VIEWING GALLERY A185
    Lombardy turns to Marshall.
    LOMBARDY
    ...Did Nixon really call you?
    MARSHALL
    (an inscrutable smile)
    Game's starting...

B185 INT. PING PONG ROOM B185
    Bobby reaches out to make his first move. D4. Caption: Game Three Boris reacts to the move, looks up at Bobby, unsettled. \*

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    Nei and Geller are stupefied.
    NEI
    What is he doing? He's never played this opening before.
    Marshall sees their reaction. \*
    MARSHALL \*
    What's happening? \*
    LOMBARDY \*
    He's playing the Benoni. Black. \* Two games behind. It's suicide. \*
    \*: 186 IN THE PING PONG ROOM 186\* Spassky moves: Pawn to Q5. Bobby captures: Pawn takes Pawn. Spassky counters. Pawn takes Pawn. IN THE VIEWING GALLERY Bobby plays Pawn to Q3. Spassky responds Knight to B3.
    MARSHALL
    He's giving him the center of the board...
    LOMBARDY
    (to himself)
    Oh, Bobby...

INT. BROOKLYN DINER
    A hand-written sign reads...'Bobby Fischer sat here, 1961'. The crowd watches a grainy image of Bobby and Boris on TV. Bobby makes a move. The crowd cheers. A voice from the back.
    CUSTOMER
    What the hell are we cheering? We don't know if it's good or bad.
    The crowd all turn and hush him. TIME CUT -- THE PING PONG ROOM Bobby and Boris exchange pieces -- a Rook for a Bishop. Then Bobby does the unthinkable -- he exposes his Queen. IN THE VIEWING GALLERY Marshall is speechless. Lombardy is incredulous and bemused.
    MARSHALL
    What the hell--?
    Geller and Nei look on, hungrily.
    GELLER
    Take it, Boris. Take it.
    IN THE PING PONG ROOM Spassky is clearly unnerved. He senses a trap but cannot see it. Bobby's queen sits exposed -- his for the taking. He looks up at Bobby, who smiles inscrutably. Finally, Boris cannot resist. He takes the queen. IN THE VIEWING GALLERY
    NEI
    IN THE PING PONG ROOM Bobby immediately counters -- taking Spassky's Bishop. This precipitates A BLOODBATH: piece after piece is taken in a vicious chess version of a knife fight. Finally, the smoke clears and both men study the carnage.

INT. 'FOUR CONTINENTS' RUSSIAN BOOK STORE -- BROOKLYN
    The clerk and her husband are glued to the TV.
    BOOKSTORE CLERK
    A draw.
    IN THE VIEWING GALLERY
    GELLER
    A draw is good. We are ahead.
    IN THE PING PONG ROOM - MOMENTS LATER Spassky studies the board. Looks up at Bobby.
    BORIS
    (in English)
    You accept a draw?
    Bobby slowly shakes his head. No draw. Slowly, almost sadistically, he reaches out and makes a move. Spassky goes white. IN THE VIEWING GALLERY They watch as Spassky makes a move -- which Bobby immediately counters. Another move. Another counter. Bobby is now bullying Spassky across the board. Geller and Nei are becoming increasingly upset. IN THE PING PONG ROOM Spassky studies the looming endgame, his face withering.

INT. 'FOUR CONTINENTS' RUSSIAN BOOKSTORE - BROOKLYN
    BOOKSTORE OWNER
    It seems the strange little boy has done it.
    IN THE VIEWING GALLERY Lombardy looks over at Geller and Nei, smiles sweetly.
    LOMBARDY
    He hates draws.
    IN THE PING PONG ROOM After an agonizing moment, Spassky knocks over his King. The SCOREBOARD changes to: Spassky 2 Fischer 1.

EXT. TIMES SQUARE (ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE W/VFX)
    The electronic newsboard announces "BOBBY FISCHER WINS GAME THREE." Taxis HONK. \*
    RADIO COMMENTATOR (O.S.)
    -- the first time Fischer has ever won a game from Spassky.

INT. COUNTRY HOUSE - NIGHT
    Lombardy is asleep when he HEARS a strange SOUND and sits up in bed. He checks his watch. It's 3:30 am. He walks down the hall. A light SPILLS from under Bobby's door. From inside, the SOUND is much clearer now:
    SLAP.
    SLAP.
    Bobby has been up all night playing chess alone.

INT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, OFFICE
    The Motel clerk and Donna stare at his TV screen. Caption: Game Four A businessman enters. The Motel clerk is totally engrossed.
    BUSINESSMAN
    Excuse me.
    MOTEL CLERK
    (to Donna)
    Spassky took Bobby's Bishop.
    DONNA
    So what? I took his virginity.
    CLERK
    Wait, wait... Bobby's making a move.
    CUSTOMER
    Excuse me...They drew game four last night.
    CLERK
    We know, asshole. We're watching the re-run.
    The SCOREBOARD now reads: Spassky 2 1/2 Fischer 1 1/2

EXT. COUNTRY HOUSE - NIGHT
    The middle of the night again. A SINGLE LIGHT burns in the upper window we know to be Bobby's. And we HEAR a faint but now familiar sound...
    SLAP.
    206
    SLAP.
    INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PING PONG ROOM - NEXT DAY
    Bobby and Boris take their seats. Caption: Game Five

INT. MOSCOW APARTMENT - DAY
    Cigarette smoke swirls. We reveal Regina watching, smoking. On her black-and-white TV, Boris stands and begin to pace.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PING PONG ROOM - SAME
    Boris wanders the tiny room, unnerved. He meets Bobby's stare -- as if the two are alone in a prison cell. Boris sits down without taking his eyes from Bobby. Bobby is implacable now, totally focused. Boris turns to Schmid, who is dozing in his chair.
    BORIS
    Excuse me.
    (Schmid stirs)
    There is something coming from my chair.
    SCHMID
    Your chair?
    BORIS
    It is a vibration.
    SCHMID
    A what?

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    Geller and Nei huddle in front of a black and white monitor. On the screen, Boris is on his knees, examining his chair.
    GELLER
    What the hell is he doing? Praying?
    Nei glances over at Lombardy, who looks up with a smile as if to say, 'Welcome to my life."

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, PING PONG ROOM
    Boris is kneeling, examining the steel tube legs of his chair.
    BORIS
    A sound of some kind -- maybe high frequency, I don't know...it is affecting my concentration...
    Boris glances at Bobby, who is staring at him impassively.
    BOBBY
    Buzz, buzz.

A211 INT. NATIONAL THEATER A211
    SCHMID
    Game 5 goes to Mr. Bobby Fischer.
    The SCOREBOARD changes to: Spassky 2 1/2 Fischer 2 1/2 Cheers now for Bobby.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, BACK STAGE, CORRIDOR
    Boris marches away in a fury, his entourage in pursuit.
    BORIS
    ...It is coming from the chair!
    Geller and Nei don't know how to respond.
    BORIS
    It was making a SOUND...!
    Boris sees their skepticism.
    BORIS
    Have you never heard of Watergate? You know what the CIA is capable of?
    BORIS
    (stomps off)
    I want this chair X-rayed!

INT. REYKJAVIK HOSPITAL, X-RAY ROOM, LIGHT BOX
    Boris studies the x-rays while Livo Nei studies Boris.
    BORIS
    Do not let them swap it. Do not let this chair out of your sight.
    Boris storms out. Geller whispers to Nei.
    GELLER
    The American son of a bitch has driven us all crazy.
    OMIT

EXT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE - NIGHT
    Not quite dawn. A single light burns in the upper bedroom and we know it is Bobby, having been awake all night.

INT. GRANITE COUNTRY HOUSE, BOBBY'S BEDROOM
    The clock reads 4:00am. Bobby sits in a chair, staring into space. On the table before him is an unfinished chess game. Lombardy knocks and enters.
    LOMBARDY
    Bobby?
    Bobby doesn't even hear him.
    LOMBARDY
    (louder)
    ...BOBBY?
    Bobby is in some half-awake fugue state. He looks up. For a moment it's as if he doesn't recognize Lombardy.
    LOMBARDY
    Can I get you anything?
    A hint of recognition comes into Bobby's eyes.
    BOBBY
    No. Thanks.
    LOMBARDY
    It'll be light soon.
    BOBBY
    It's never dark here.
    LOMBARDY
    ...Do you want to talk about tomorrow's game?
    No answer. Bobby just stares out the window.
    LOMBARDY
    Bobby, I just want to tell you...that the chess you've been playing...is... inspiring. My whole life, I--
    Lombardy stops himself. Bobby isn't listening; he's far away. When at last he speaks, his voice is lifeless, \* expressionless with exhaustion. \*
    BOBBY
    I used to wish I was born deaf...
    Lombardy doesn't know what to say. Bobby's eyes are far away. He has wanted and dreaded this moment his whole life.
    BOBBY
    It's funny... at the beginning of a game there are so many options... and at the end....there's only one.
    He is talking about more than chess.
    BOBBY
    I want to go back to the main hall.
    LOMBARDY
    You're kidding.
    BOBBY
    But nobody in the first seven rows.
    LOMBARDY
    Are you sure?
    BOBBY
    It's okay. The noises have stopped. Nothing gets through.
    Lombardy doesn't know why but he is near tears. There's something so forlorn about Bobby at this moment.
    BOBBY
    It's like there's no one there anymore.
    (a long moment)
    Not even me.
    He goes back to staring out the window. Lombardy stands there, not knowing what to say or do. Finally he walks over, takes a pen from inside his jacket and puts it in Bobby's pocket, then backs out of the room.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, MAIN STAGE
    Applause as Bobby and Boris return to the main stage. Bobby sits, stares at the board. Continues to stare at it. Slowly -- almost imperceptibly at first -- the room begins to FADE around him -- just as in his childhood bedroom. The walls, the camera, eventually even Spassky DISAPPEARS. Until it is only Bobby and the chessboard -- which begins to GLOW as the lines of infinite possibility present themselves. Bobby makes his move and SLAPS his clock. Boris examines Bobby's move with more than a little confusion. He looks up and sees no expression on Bobby's face. Bobby is in the zone. He has reached some kind of absence in which there are only moves -- and Spassky knows it. Caption: Game Six. Boris studies the board again, then quickly looks back up at Bobby with disbelief, then back to the board.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER LOBBY
    An ABC commentator is listening to the feed on his headset. \*
    ABC COMMENTATOR \*
    Don't use jargon... In plain English just tell me what he's doing? The people here say he's playing like a wild man. Could you ask our chess guy exactly what Fischer is doing?
    The anchor reacts to a lost signal. He looks to his producer.
    ABC COMMENTATOR (CONT'D) \*
    Lost the feed.... I need someone to tell me what the fuck is happening...

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    Lombardy is watching as if in the midst of a religious experience.
    MARSHALL
    ...What is he doing?
    LOMBARDY
    There are no names for it. Yet.
    The Soviets are equally speechless.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER
    Spassky finally summons up the will to make another move. Without any hesitation, Bobby POUNCES -- like a panther. A collective GASP from the audience. Spassky stares at the move. His world is falling apart.

INT. BROOKLYN CHESS CLUB
    Carmine and the others watch in wonder.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    MARSHALL
    What the hell was that?
    LOMBARDY
    ...It is beyond my ability to explain or understand.
    Across the gallery we catch Livo Nei's awestruck expression.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER
    Absolute silence. Bobby is going for the kill, crushing the fly. Serene. He makes his move. Boris blinks once. He looks up at Bobby. Bobby's eyes are still, his mind empty. A flicker of incomprehension crosses Boris's face. Then he half smiles as he realizes he is beaten. He KNOCKS over his King with a flick of his finger. It falls in SLOW-MOTION -- like a building being demolished. OMITTED

INT. NATIONAL THEATER, VIEWING GALLERY
    Marshall applauds wildly. Nei gets to his feet too and applauds. Geller glares at him. Lombardy applauds, filled with emotion.

INT. JOAN'S LIVING ROOM
    She and her kids are jumping up and down, clapping.

INT. MOSCOW APARTMENT
    Regina fights back tears.

INT. BROOKLYN CHESS CLUB
    The chess players are going wild.

EXT. TIMES SQUARE (ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE)
    Cars HONK, pedestrians CHEER.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER
    Silence. Then...Boris gets to his feet and begins to applaud. Bobby is at first confused, then astonished.

INT. NATIONAL THEATER
    For one last, delicious second, Bobby is in the safe, quiet, zone. Then a WAVE of SOUND hits as THE AUDIENCE APPLAUDS. Bobby CRINGES, then slumps in his chair like a puppet with its strings cut. The crowd applauds even more as they see Boris acknowledging the beauty of the game Bobby just played.
    ABC COMMENTATOR \*
    Bobby Fischer has just won game six and his opponent Boris Spassky is actually on his feet, applauding.
    People applaud wildly; the anchor has to raise his voice...
    ABC COMMENTATOR (CONT'D) \*
    Grandmasters never, ever applaud an opponent's victory. But I guess this is something--
    (re at cheering crowd)
    --no one has ever seen before.
    OMIT

INT. NATIONAL THEATER
    The crowd ERUPTS as Bobby emerges and heads down the stairs. A mass of humanity SURGES forward -- crowding him, touching him -- everybody wants a piece of him. We SENSE Bobby's panic. The SCREAMS, the FLASHBULBS, the faces, the hands reaching for him. It's all too much. Then a face in the crowd -- it's Regina! -- But it can't be. She's in Moscow. Bobby looks again but she's gone.
    BOBBY
    Mom!
    He frantically looks around. Then another face -- Joan! Of course she, too, couldn't possibly be there.
    BOBBY
    Joanie!
    And then....is that Uncle Paul? No, that's impossible. Marshall and a couple of his guys usher him into a limo.

INT. LIMO - CONTINUOUS
    Bobby sits in the back as the limo moves slowly through the crowd. Fans POUND on the glass but he looks straight ahead. Over this a caption: Bobby Fischer went on to beat Boris Spassky 12 1/2 - 8 1/2.

EXT. LIMO - CONTINUOUS
    The Limo makes it way through the cheering crowd. Suddenly, amidst the crowd, Bobby catches a glimpse of THE TELEPHOTO MAN -- who has spied on him since he was a child. He leans back out of sight. He never tried to defend his title and no other American has ever become world champion.

EXT. WASHINGTON PARK, WINTER BLIZZARD
    The cheering is replaced by the sound of a howling wind. Bobby walks alone in the snow-blasted park. He stops at one of the chess tables and wipes away snow with his sleeve. His descent into insanity was swift and permanent. He stares at the empty squares. INTERVIEW SOUNDBITE
    BOBBY (V.O.)
    -- It's a worldwide Jewish conspiracy-- Mossad, the defense industry and the media. Secret government projects using micowaves to monitor our brains.
    Alienating the world with his bizarre behavior, his US \* passport was revoked and he lived in exile, eventually becoming homeless. INTERVIEW SOUNDBITE
    BOBBY (V.O.)
    9-11, man. Wonderful news. Time for the fucking U.S. to get their heads kicked in. Shows you that what goes around, comes around...
    WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK Bobby stands up from the table and slowly walks off into the blizzard...until he disappears...and all that we see is: A WHITE SCREEN that RESOLVES INTO: SLOW-MOTION MOCK-ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE (HIGH SCHOOL GYM) Bobby at the height of his power, playing 20 boards at a time, his movements graceful, passionate, full of life. Bobby Fischer died in 2008 and was buried in Reykjavik, Iceland, the site of his remarkable triumph. INTERVIEW SOUNDBITE A smiling Bobby sits on a bench in Washington Square.
    BOBBY
    Chess and me, we're pretty intertwined. I don't really have much else in my life right now. Maybe someday I'll spread out a little. For now, though, I'd like to be world champion--
    (a slow smile)
    --And then keep it for, say, twenty years. Yeah.
    CLOSE on Bobby as a big grin spreads across his face. FADE OUT.:

Summary: In 1972, Bobby Fischer tears apart his hotel room in a paranoid delusional state, believing he is being spied upon by the Soviet KGB. Two decades earlier, in 1951 Brooklyn, Fischer's mother, a Soviet Jewish immigrant, explains to 8-year-old Bobby that the FBI has her under surveillance because she supports Marxist revolution in the U.S. She coaches Bobby on what to say to the FBI if he is ever approached. Bobby immerses himself in chess and becomes an expert player. Despite her worries that chess is becoming an obsession, his mother takes him to an adult chess club, where he impresses the resident chess master and is accepted as a student. Bobby enters the world of professional chess championships and soon becomes the youngest grandmaster ever. Bobby's hatred of distractions leads to frequent tantrums. He enters a team tournament in Varna, Bulgaria, where he realizes Soviet grandmasters are deliberately drawing games with the collusion of the World Chess Federation. Erupting in a rant that this system makes it impossible for a non-Soviet player to win the championship, Bobby quits the tournament and gives up chess. When Bobby returns to the U.S., lawyer Paul Marshall offers to help him modify the tournament rules, working pro bono to give Fischer a fair chance to win future tournaments. Fischer re-enters professional chess and selects Father William Lombardy, a former World Junior Chess Champion and Roman Catholic priest, as his second. Lombardy struggles to calm Bobby's rock-star behavior and impossible demands. As his demands are accepted, Bobby overcomes most grandmasters across the world and nears the world championship, becoming a hero to the American public. At the height of the Cold War, Soviet domination of the World Chess Championship is being exploited for propaganda as proof that the Communist system is superior to American democracy. U.S. President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger closely monitor and encourage Bobby's progress. During a tournament in Santa Monica, California, Bobby loses to Soviet grandmaster Boris Spassky, the world champion. The next morning, an enraged Bobby approaches and berates Spassky on the beach. Privately, Lombardy tells Marshall that excessive focus on chess strategy has destroyed the sanity of the game's greatest players. As he pursues the world championship, the pressure drives Bobby into paranoia and delusional psychosis. Meeting with Marshall, Bobby's sister Joan quotes from her brother's letters about how the Communists collude with International Jewry to destroy him. Joan explains that Bobby believes this despite being Jewish himself and pleads with Marshall to arrange for Bobby to receive psychiatric help. Marshall is dismissive, but as Bobby's breakdown escalates, he suggests to Lombardy that Bobby needs therapy and medication, which Lombardy rebuffs. Reporters and fans from around the world assemble at Reykjavík, Iceland, to witness the historic World Chess Championship 1972 match between Bobby and Spassky. Bobby loses the first game and fails to appear for the second, losing it by forfeit. Bobby is easily distracted by small noises from the audience, rolling cameras, and the hard sound of the chessboard, which leads him to make extreme demands for silence and fewer distractions, which could cause another forfeit. Spassky, insulted by the possibility of maintaining his title by forfeit, orders the Soviet entourage to accede to Bobby's demands. Bobby wins the third game by unconventional tactics. Game four is a draw, but Bobby wins game five after Spassky himself begins showing paranoia signs. Experts speculate the next game will determine the outcome of the match. In game six, Bobby uses an opening he has never played before, surprising the audience. His inspired play amazes Spassky, who resigns and leads a standing ovation of Bobby's victory. A postscript reveals Bobby went on to win the match and that his sixth game against Spassky is still considered the greatest chess game ever played. However, his delusions worsened, and he went on to forfeit his title and died in 2008 as a fugitive from U.S. prosecution.