Dangerous Moves

Set during the World Chess Championship, and focusing on the intense rivalry between ageing, ailing Soviet champion Liebskind (Piccoli) and his former pupil, the unorthodox young rebel Fromm (Arbatt) - himself a Russian defector whom the Soviet authorities wish to humiliate - the film's fascination lies partly in the bizarre, underhanded tactics employed to distract keyed-up competitors, partly in the vivid characterisations. Also of interest, however, is the wider context which reveals the rivals as reluctant pawns in political power struggles. Expertly performed (particularly by Piccoli), and shot through with moments of memorably absurd humour, Dembo's miniature thriller is an unusual delight.