Review: Bobby Fischer Against the World

Bobby Fischer Against the World is gripping tale of the American chess master's battle with Russian rival Boris Spassky in the Seventies - but while he was able to triumph over the Russian, the documentary questions whether his mind may have ended up defeating himself as well.

The highlight is the face-off with Spassky where Fischer's fame was at its height. The clash in Reykjavik is full of enough pantomime to put Vince McMahon and the WWE to shame. The tales of bugging, bluffs and walk outs with the Cold War paranoia turned up to 11 make the story universally accessible and not just for those who know their Kings for their Queens.

Unlike many a sports documentary, the film does give plenty of time its subject's darker side, showing Fischer's descent into an increasing state of paranoia that was littered with anti-Semitic outbursts (despite his heritage) and gloating rants on radio about 9/11. But the rather half-hearted attempt to link chess genius with madness is the film's weak point, the lack of any real evidence shown to back up the claims just makes the section feel a little bolted on and would've been better served left on the cutting room floor.