Why Movies Get Chess Wrong

Chess is one of the most popular games on Earth. So why do multimillion-dollar blockbusters keep making beginner’s errors?

Tobey Maguire portrays World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer in ‘Pawn Sacrifice.’ Photo: Bleecker Street

You’re watching a movie that includes a football scene. As a gridiron fan, you’re pleased — at first. Then you notice something’s wrong: Why are there only seven players on either team, you wonder. Why do they seem…