Schwarz und weiß wie Tage und Nächte (Black and White Like Day and Night) is a West German film from 1978 directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Bruno Ganz.
Plot
Thomas Rosemund, a scientist who swore off playing chess after a nervous breakdown as a young wunderkind, creates an undefeated chess program. However, the Russian world champ beats the program in a televised match. The West German mathematician becomes a top chess pro himself, which the West German media boast will prove the superiority of Germany and democracy. Rosemund believes that the entire Red Communist bloc is out to stop him from vanquishing their own Stefan Koruga, to become the next Bobby Fischer and a symbol that capitalism is preferable to socialism.
Critical reception
John Simon called Black and White Like Day and Night "the best film ever about chess".[1]
References
^Simon, John (2005). John Simon on Film: Criticism 1982-2001. Applause Books. p. 383.
