The Luzhin Defence

In 1929, a young master chess player, Russian Alexander Luzhin, arrives at a luxurious Italian resort to compete in the world championship. Born into a marriage marked by a lack of affection, the boy’ only refuge is the chessboard. He spends his teenage years mid wooden knights, queens and pawns, but fortunately, things become more real with the arrival of a beautiful Russian aristocrat to the resort. Natalia Karkhov looks beyond Alexander’ quirks and falls in love with the man she finds there. However, the diabolical Valentinov, Luzhin’ former mentor comes on the scene once more, having previously abandoned him because he felt he would not go far. He was wrong and today regrets his decision. His objective is now to prevent his former student from winning. All told, Valentinov’ envy, pressure from a shrew of a mother-in-law, and the emotions of first love, render Alexander?s fragile feelings further debilitated. He sees himself at a crossroads: to continue to play or give up all and accept Natalia’ love.

43ª MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA

43ª MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA