MAGNUS: The Mozart Of Chess

“Magnus” is a rousing, feel-good story about one the world’s most extraordinary chess players— 26-year-old Magnus Carlsen. This “Mozart of Chess”, who checkmated Bill Gates in nine moves, became a chess grandmaster at the age of 13.

As a young boy, Magnus Carlsen was very different from his peers. Bullied by the other children, he usually sat by himself lost in thought. But when a strong interest in numbers led him to the game of chess at the age of 5, he quickly started to climb the ranks of the chess world.

This coming-of-age documentary by Norwegian filmmaker Benjamin Ree, follows Magnus’s meteoric rise to the leading World Chess Champion. Through a treasure trove of home movies and photographs, the film invites audiences to peek into the life of a goofy young boy who develops into a modern genius.

Watching Magnus compete has the excitement of a great sports movie, appealing not only to those in the competitive world of chess, but also to the vast majority of us outside it (this writer included). An unforgettable scene has Carlsen playing 10 world champions at once, while wearing a blindfold. Of course he beats them all!

“Magnus” will be screened at The Palace Danbury on Sunday, January 22 at 2:00 pm. Tickets cost $15 and may be ordered by phone at 203 794-9944, online at tickets.thepalacedanbury.com, or purchased at the door starting at 1:00 pm.

The Palace Danbury is located at 165 Main Street, in Danbury, Connecticut. Free parking is readily available for theatre patrons in the parking lot behind the building. For more information about this and all upcoming shows visit www.thepalacedanbury.com .