Checkmates (film)

Checkmates (Menudas piezas) is a 2024 Spanish comedy film directed by Nacho G. Velilla. Its cast features Alexandra Jiménez, Luis Callejo, Francesc Orella, and María Adánez.

Plot
Upon losing her job at an elite school, social-class-climbing teacher Candela is forced to return to lecture at her former high school in a humble neighborhood of Zaragoza, using chess to help a group of socially-excluded students overcome their problems.

Production
The film is a Telecinco Cinema, Felicitas Media, Menudas Piezas AIE, and Lightbox Animation Studios production, and it had the participation of Mediaset España, Movistar Plus+, Mediterráneo Mediaset España Group, Aragón TV, Gobierno de Aragón, and Provincial Deputation of Zaragoza. The film was shot in Zaragoza and Madrid.

Release
Selected within the non-competitive slate of the 27th Málaga Film Festival's official selection, the film premiered on 3 March 2024. Distributed by Paramount Pictures Spain, it was released theatrically in Spain on 12 April 2024.