Movie Review: Untold – Chess Mates
One-liner: Big egos, bitter rivalry and an epic historical sporting moment compel this energetic, slick and timely documentary.
Untold: Chess Mates is a fascinating chronicle of one of the most explosive moments in chess history from Thomas Tancred. This spirited documentary charts the chain of events leading to the 2022 Sinquefield Cup, where Magnus Carlsen – widely regarded as the greatest player of all time – was defeated by the underdog Hans Niemann. Centred on this massive upset, the film offers an honest retrospective on the game’s evolution, its soaring online value, and the cultural shifts triggered by the pandemic.
The defeat sent shockwaves through the chess community as the seemingly invincible Carlsen was toppled by the young Niemann, a player frequently compared to Muhammad Ali for his fighting spirit and unyielding moxie. As the “bad boy” of the chess world, Niemann managed the unthinkable, talking a big game and backing it up. The self-professed champion worked his way through the ranks, citing a childhood spent entirely committed to the board. Chess Mates establishes these two rivals and sets the stage for their bitter feud, while simultaneously charting the meteoric rise of Chess.com, a platform that found itself at the epicentre of the controversy.
It’s notable that the documentary occasionally feels like feature-length product placement for Chess.com; while it briefly mentions rival platforms, the narrative is predominantly built around Chess.com’s involvement in the scandal. Nevertheless, it remains a compelling dissection of the events that preceded the global headlines. An enigmatic, live-wire character like Niemann has undeniably changed the face of a sport traditionally regarded as “gentlemanly,” bringing a brand of American bravado to the next level. His obsession with winning at all costs makes him cantankerous, self-destructive and undeniably watchable.
The documentary serves, in part, as a character portrait of a “villain” who built a career on notoriety. Niemann’s crowning achievement came crashing down amid cheating allegations and intense speculation regarding his performance. A viral interview and his surprising response to the victory – combined with the bizarre internet theories involving radio-linked anal beads – created a larger-than-life moment that continues to haunt the sport’s history.
“Check, mate.”
Chess Mates captures the raw energy of this climax, featuring testimony from both Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann. The film also provides insights from the Chess.com founders and other top competitors, framing the drama as a psychological thriller of off-the-board strategy. It cleverly interweaves this friction with the growth of the online community, which is now a multi-million dollar industry.
Platforms like Chess.com have thrived on this resurgence, capitalizing on the furore surrounding this titanic matchup. The documentary mirrors this high-stakes energy, treating this turning point with an epic, cinematic feel. While you can admire the players’ brilliance, their personalities aren’t always charming; instead, they offer waves of entertainment, often for the wrong reasons.
Slick and energetic, the documentary captures the raw emotion of the sport even as it leans heavily into its association with Chess.com. This David and Goliath battle makes for a fascinating spectacle, even if getting closer to the truth sometimes feels like moving further away from it. By casting shade on Niemann and doubt on Carlsen, the film explores a rift that was eventually settled out of court. Ultimately, Untold: Chess Mates is a compelling retrospective that doesn’t require you to know how to play chess to be thoroughly entertained.
The bottom line: Compelling
