'The Chess Players' doesn't have the classy masterstroke which designed the Apu trilogy, and it lacks the energy of 'Charulata' or 'Devi'. The performances in the film are not 'Naayak' and 'Teen Kanya', and yet the film is so much fun! with a moving satire on the Nawabi and a moving depiction of the original Premchand short story, the film comes with its own moments which can well be called some of the most priceless in the Hindi cinema. With an imperative take on the satire oozing through the story and with the performances, especially delivered by the impeccable Shabana Aazmi and Amjad Khan, this is an imperative Ray work which lifts off and soars high. A scintillating and freshly entertaining directorial debut in Bollywood by all means it was.