Based on a true story. Josh Waitzkin (Max Pomeranc) is a 7- year-old chess prodigy. While playing games outdoors in Manhattan's Washington Square, he meets Vinnie, a speed-chess hustler played by Fishburne. Vinnie wants to teach Josh some street smarts and the down and dirty way to play the game. But Josh's parents have engaged Bruce Pandolfini (Ben Kingsley), a cold-blooded chess master, to coach their son. Will Josh grow up to be an unfeeling, ruthless competitor or will his innocence and vulnerability endure?