A Chess Player is about what happens when you put all of yourself into one thing and when that one thing is taken away. Who are you... And also about fathers and sons and the redemption that can be found at the end of very toxic relationships. Why Chess... Chess is a game that goes hand in hand with the stereotype about people being obsessed. When telling a story about someone who's entire identity is wrapped up in something, the stereotype fills in all the gaps. Also, it's such an internal game. It demands dark brooding moments that really supports the tone and visuals we were going for.