El petit peó: the story of Arturito Pomar, the chess prodigy who captivated Spain… and paid a huge price
The BCN Sports Film Festival presents a special screening of El petit peó (The Little Pawn), a documentary that revisits the figure of Arturo “Arturito” Pomar: the child who captivated a country in the post-war years and turned chess into a popular phenomenon, as the spotlight grew around him.
Beyond the myth, the film raises an uncomfortable and very timely question: what happens when talent arrives too early and the environment (media, political, family) doesn’t support it? Pomar wasn’t just a promise: he reached the top level of competitive chess and left a lasting mark on the history of Spanish chess.
A life on 64 squares: glory, pressure and loneliness
El petit peó follows Pomar’s journey from “child prodigy” to the adult who kept competing for years. The film focuses on the fine line between talent and pressure, and on how exposure and expectations can shape an entire life.
Screening with the director in attendance: come watch it in the cinema
This session is for chess lovers… and for anyone who wants to understand what lies behind a brilliant mind when the spotlight turns on too soon.
The screening will be attended by the director, Joan Gamero.
