Champion of the World

A 2021 Russian biographical sports film directed by Aleksey Sidorov. Based on real events, it tells the story of the legendary 1978 World Chess Championship match between Anatoly Karpov (Ivan Yankovsky) and his main rival Viktor Korchnoi (Konstantin Khabensky). At the heart of the plot is a tense confrontation not only on the chessboard but also in the political arena, as Korchnoi, having emigrated from the USSR, is seen as a "traitor," while Karpov is pressured to play not just for himself but for the honor of his country. The film explores the internal struggles of the protagonists, their psychological states, the influence of the Soviet government on the match's outcome, and Karpov's complex relationship with his mentor Mikhail Botvinnik (Viktor Sukhorukov). The chess duel becomes a true battle of minds, filled with strategy, tension, and emotions. The story is based on real events, recreating the atmosphere of the time and showing the high price Karpov had to pay for victory.