I don’t remember a lot about the movie, it must be old, pre 2000.
I remember a scene where a woman plays a double chess game with two renowned chess champions. She plays the games simultaneously, in two different games, and it’s a trick because she plays the moves of the first champion against the second. So in effect the two champions are playing against each other, via the woman. In the end she ends up winning both games I think (yes, completely unrealistic).
Other details I remember are vague: I think the games took place on a boat cruise. She was helped by a man, her friend, and maybe the movie was about “honorable thieves”, ie the man and the woman are thieves.
“If Tomorrow Comes” (1986)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090455/
It is a three-part TV mini-series based on Sidney Sheldon’s novel, and Madolyn Smith is the one who plays the simultaneous chess game on an ocean liner in the last part (if I remember correctly). Here is a clip (not the actual chess game):
I have hoping someone would solve this. I don’t believe If Tomorrow Comes is it. I remember reading a book about exactly this – it’s prior to cell phones. The spectators were in 2 different rooms and could not leave the room. That way no one would know that the woman was imitating each move her opponent was doing – so essentially the champions were playing each other! That’s how she won both games.
OMG I was just thinking about this film.
It was just as you mention it, someone playing chess in a championship, two separate rooms. The person would leave pretending to go to the toilet but really go into the other room and play them off against each other. I’ve searched but cannot find it!!!!!
I did not watch If Tomorrow Comes yet, but it sure looks like it was the movie I was looking for. I also remember what you say about spectators in two different rooms – but why do you think this is not If Tomorrow Comes ?
It Is If Tommorow Comes. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8650748
I confirm this was “If Tomorrow comes”. I’ve re-watched it recently.
Solved by casspir!
OMG thank you so much! I have been looking for this movie for years I remember I was little and someone was watching it and I loved it, I had no clue of the name and could not find it, heading straight to watch it!!! Thank you!!