Plot Synopsis

When a successful, middle-aged suburban New Yorker, is fired from his job, he returns to his first love: teaching. He gets a temporary job as a substitute teacher for a fourth grade class in a rough, South Bronx school. While his wife worries about his reduced paycheck, he gets the idea that these kids could gain an education and self esteem by learning chess. The students are invigorated, but the principal is wary. They soon begin competing and winning tournaments which eventually leads them to the win the Chess Nationals in Dallas.