Frasier (TV Series) Chess Pains (1996) User Reviews

Too Hard to Swallow

[Hitchcoc · 5/10 · 3 October 2019]

First of all, the chess matches are uninteresting and hard to swallow. An experienced player such as Frasier isn't going to lose consistently to someone who has just learned the rules (castle things, horsies, etc.). But this is more about Frasier's ego and his need to win. Martin sees this and it would be quite demeaning. Not enough to rate it very highly.

Ridiculous Premise

[silverpilgrim-56896 · 2/10 · 23 July 2023]

Okay, let's review: lifelong chess player who knows the game well enough to name obscure strategies cannot beat a halfwit excop who has never played the game. I cant get past the stupidity of the premise. The rest of the father-son baloney is boring, as usual. This would be a much better show without the John Mahoney character; he's an ungrateful, smartass creep and he degrades every episode in which he plays a major role. More Daphne, please, and put the nasty old crock in assisted living.

Nevertheless, the Niles interactions with Frasier (particularly the unboxing of the chess set ) and the bit with the dog rescue the episode.