I agree. Even if you aren't a chess fan this movie is hilarious from start to finish and runs a great gamut of slapstick and situations where chess is encountered EVERYWHERE. The ending is a hoot. Something that makes it special to us chess fans is the footage of real old-time players mostly seen now only in photographs. One that I recognize that wasn't in the credits was Alexander Alekhine, who became champion himself after defeating Capablanca. Capa was a good sport to do the part as the turning point of the couples relationship.
I have never had any interest in chess, so the appearance of this film on a program of silent films made me think a nap was in order. I am SO happy I sat and watched--and laughed and chortled and marveled at the sheer goodness of the film. See it. It adds sparkle to any kind of day.
shareAlso watch out for a Vladimir Nabokov cameo. He is there, part of the crowd:
http://www.kino-teatr.ru/acter/album/287368/290494.jpg