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This 1976 movie arrives in New York with an ideal restoration narrative. Chess of the Wind was made in Iran and screened only briefly before being banned in the tense period leading up to the Islamic revolution. Presumed lost, the films negative turned up in a junk shop years later. Distinguished cinephile organizations then kicked in to make it internationally accessible.

Its a pleasure to report that the actual movie, directed by Mohammad Reza Aslani (who has worked mostly in documentaries since his trouble with Chess), has quite a bit going for it beyond its rediscovery.

Set on a rambling estate in early-20th-century Tehran, Chess is a fevered melodrama conveyed in a poetically measured style. Its opening scenes are enigmatic. A young woman who uses a wheelchair breaks some bottles in what looks to be a fit of spite. A patriarchal-looking figure smokes with associates, then breaks out scrolls and rubber stamps to what appear to be shady dealings.

Aslani pulls story threads together with an elegant moving camera that doesnt immediately give up all the secrets a scene may contain. Hadji Amoo (Mohamad Ali Keshavarz), indeed considers himself the head of this house. But the ailing Lady Aghdas (Fakhri Khorvash), mourning her dead mother, doesnt acknowledge Hadji as her stepfather, let alone as the estate owner. Scheming with her double-dealing handmaiden (Shohreh Aghdashloo), Aghdas determines to usurp him.

Its easy to see why the repressive theocracy in Iran took exception to this movie. The intimations of lesbian romance, sure. But also, the mendacity Aslani conjures (featuring dissembling suitors, secret lovers, and more outlandish components) is palpable, at times seductive. To call this movie a newly found masterwork would be to oversell it. But Chess of the Wind surely is a noteworthy example of a strain of Iranian cinema that the Ayatollahs ensured would be cut off at the knees when they took over in 1979.

Chess of the WindNot rated. In Persian, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. In theaters.

See more here:
Chess of the Wind Review: A Remnant of an Iran That Used to Be - The New York Times

A poet and production designer who had made short documentaries, Aslani was just 32 when he launched his narrative feature debut with Chess of the Wind (it was shown at last years New York Film Festival as Chess Game of the Wind, a title that makes a bit more sense). Perhaps if hed been older and more established, the film would have received a more attentive and appreciative reception, but its lack of contemporary renown still surprises, because even measured against the Iranian and international cinematic treasures of the 70s, Aslanis vision is still breathtakingly distinctive, an incisively devastating social critique embedded in a complex tale of intrigue, greed, oppression, and murder. The film is also, and perhaps most strikingly, a stylistic tour de force.

The story is set in the early 1920s, the last years of the Qajar dynasty, which had ruled Iran since the 18th century and set new standards of decadence as its end approached. Aslanis film premiered three years before the end of the dynasty that succeeded the Qajars, the Pahlevis, and no doubt Iranian audiences would have understood that the earlier era was meant to implicate the decadence of the current monarchy. In fact, many Iranian films of the 1970s were rife with feelings of gloom, discontent, and dissidence; the shadow of a widely unpopular Shah seemed to loom over the most engaged and daring of his realms artists.

To conjure the Qajars world, the former production designer made the inspired decision to set the films story in a mansion which is almost a character itself, one of the films most important. Sand-colored, with high columns, doors, and windows decorated with bright stained glass, this archetypal Persian pile is not only where the drama occurs; its also, in a sense, what its aboutsince the family inside is in a state of rapid collapse, the house represents both an ungraspable vision of stability as well as the wealth that all crave.

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Chess of the Wind movie review (2021) - Roger Ebert

Know someone who loves chess? Are you still reeling over The Queen's Gambit on Netflix? Whether you're trying to get a headstart on Christmas gifts or are simply hoping to put a smile on someone's face (or even your own), here are 5 chess sets that every chess enthusiast is sure to love.

If you're looking for a chess set for a fan of The Queen's Gambit, this is it. Beth is seen playing chess with these pieces and it is the perfect choice for those who play chess on a regular basis. This classic set may look simple, but it is actually precisely handcrafted from fine maple and mahogany veneers. Plus, the classic look will look good in practically any room and on any table.

Order it now.

Prefer a more modern look? This luxurious metal chess set comes with metal chess pieces from Italfama, a popular chess manufacturer in Italy known for creating exquisite chess products. Carefully crafted and designed, it doubles as a touch of decoration in any home and is the perfect set to give serious chess players and collectors. It even comes with a leatherette chessboard and tray.

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Looking for something more affordable and easy to carry around? This easy-carry plastic chess set is portable and easy to store as the chessboard can be conveniently rolled up. Even the pieces are lightweight and made of plastic to make carrying the set around much easier. This set is perfect for people on the go and those who travel a lot. It even comes in a bag to hold everything together - and the bag comes in a wide range of colors, too.

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If you're looking for something more durable, on the other hand, a silicone chess set would be the best choice for you. The board and chess pieces are made of silicone to ensure that they can withstand wear and tear, and last a long time. The set is easy to clean and is practically impossible to break, too, making it a good choice for those who are looking for a set that will really stand the test of time without breaking the bank. It also comes in a wide range of colors.

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For something unique, check out this antique reproduction chess set that is sure to add extra fun to every game. This special set is actually a replica of an old European chess set design with features not typically found in more contemporary models. Specially handcrafted in Italy, Spain, China, and the USA, this chess set is made extra special.

Order it now.

The Chess Store, Inc. has been around since 1999, specializing in Staunton wood chess sets. They also offer a host of other chess products, including chess clocks, school chess supplies, and storage.

Shop now and get a 10% coupon code when you sign up for their newsletter today.

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5 Chess Sets Every Chess Enthusiast is Sure to Love - International Business Times

We all love to watch a good video! We don't always have the time to read a great article, but we are always ready to carve out some minutes of our day for a great video. Over the years, Chess.com has put out fantastic chess-related videos. From Elo comparisons to mind-boggling social media numbers, we have an excellent video ready for you to enjoy.

Here's a list of some of our best chess-related videos:

The eternal discussion of who the best players in chess history are will never cease to exist. It's impossible to compare players of different periods, so it's hard to find an objective answer. After all, who's to say how great Paul Morphy would've been if he had today's tools (and distractions) at his disposal?

This video looks at players' estimated Elo based on the precision of their moves alone to bring (at least some) objectivity to the debate.

Now that you're acquainted with the best players in history, it's time to get baffled by the really strong chess playersthe engines. If you think GMs Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen's ratings were outrageous, you won't believe how absurdly good these engines are.

Amazingly, as good as these engines are, sometimes they still have trouble understanding some positions as well as humans do. Check out this article by NM Sam Copeland about when chess engines go wrong!

Grandmasters are a rare kind among chess players. Only a tiny percentage of people can climb up the ranks and achieve the most prestigious chess title.

This video shows the evolution of the number of grandmasters per country since FIDE created the title. You can also read about it in this article.

Yes, becoming a grandmaster is an impressive feat on its own. However, that seems not to be enough for some people. A few "lucky" (actually, hard-working) prodigies not only earn the hardest and most prestigious title in chess but also do it way before they finish high school. Watch the video below (or read this article) and marvel at these young stars' impressive achievements.

Speaking of videos, aren't you curious to know who the most successful video creators are? In this video we've compiled the data showing the evolution of the best chess channels on YouTube. Sit back and watch the bars growing exponentially as chess became more and more popular online.

If you're more of a fan of being part of the action and watching your favorite chess creators live, we also have a video for you. In the video below, you can see the evolution of chess channels on Twitch.

And now that you are familiar with the biggest channels on YouTube and Twitch, only one question remains: who can gather the most followers using just the written word? More specifically, who can do it using only 280 characters or less? The video below answers that question as it shows the biggest Twitter accounts over time.

We know this is not a Chess.com video, but it's way too interesting to leave out of this list. Do you know how many moves the longest possible game of chess has? If you're curious and want to know the answer, check out this great video by @BradenLaughlin.

What was your favorite chess video? Do you have any idea of a great chess video you'd like to see? Let us know in the comment section below!

Read more from the original source:
Chess Visualized: 8 Amazing Videos Every Player Will Enjoy - Chess.com

The opening ceremony of the 2021 US Chess Championships will be held the evening of Tuesday, October 5, though chess fans nationwide are invited to join the private event online. While 24 of Americas strongest players reunite in the St. Louis MUNY, an outdoor Municipal Opera Theatre in the city's Forest Park, the championship host Saint Louis Chess Club will stream the ceremony live beginning at 7:15 p.m. central.

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2021 U.S. Chess Championships: Opening Ceremony & HOF Inductions

Tuesdays opening event will feature the drawing of lots for both the 2021 U.S. Championship and the U.S. Womens Championship, as well as the inductions of Rex Sinquefield and Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame. The philanthropist couple, who among many other things that credit a rapid resurgence of American chess over the past decade, built the Saint Louis Chess Club as host of the national championships for 13 consecutive years, as well as relocate the World Chess Hall of Fame to help convert St. Louis into the nation's chess capital.

Previously finding a home in New York, Washington D.C. and then Miami, the World Chess Hall of Fame is now parked in a three-floor, 15,000-square-foot gallery museum across the street from the club, and contains both the U.S. and the World Chess Halls of Fame. Both Halls are active this October; the U.S. will catch pace tonight with the Sinquefields -- 2020 nominees who missed induction due to the pandemic while the World Chess Hall of Fame has its inductions planned during the national championship closing ceremonies on October 19. The 2021 World inductees will be Grandmaster legends Judit Polgar, Miguel Najdorf and Eugene Torre.

Each and every induction into the Chess Halls of Fame has always deeply moved me, but seeing Jeanne and Rex, the founders of the Saint Louis Chess Campus now join the ranks of other chess legends is certainly an honor, said Shannon Bailey, chief curator of the WCHOF. They are truly deserving of the recognition and are responsible for rejuvenating both national and global interest in chess.

The opening ceremony of the 2021 U.S. Championships will stream live Tuesday evening, beginning at 7:15 p.m. St. Louis time. The event may be viewed on the Saint Louis Chess Club YouTube channelor the official website of the U.S. Championships, http://www.uschesschamps.com.

Both national championships will see their first moves pushed on Wednesday, October 6 at 1:00 p.m. central and may be viewed live on the same channels, along with the GM commentary team of Maurice Ashley, Alejandro Ramirez and four-time US Chess Champion GM Yasser Seirawan.

Check back with CLO for daily coverage of the 2021 US Chess Championships through October 19.

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2021 US Chess Championships Opening Ceremony Streamed Live - uschess.org