Genesis "Gen" Potini hasn't had an easy life, he's a Maori living in a relatively remote part of New Zealand who's spent the majority of his adult life going in and out of mental institutions. Living with Bipolar is a huge challenge to Gen but he's just learnt about a new programme that he thinks he can greatly contribute to.
Living with his brother (a gang member) and his family, Gen is the odd one out in his family, he's speed chess professional and not many people can beat him. When Gen finds that some of the locals have started a chess club, he sees an opportunity to try and straighten out his life and help some of the kids looking to get involved with the club.
As more and more kids become involved, Gen's own nephew is soon drawn in to the club - much to his father's dismay as he knows his son will inevitably become part of the gang to which he belongs too. As the kids gain experience with the game, Gen decides to enrol them in the National Championships. Gen must battle his mental problems and become a figure that his new followers can look up to.
Starring: Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, Kirk Torrance, James Napier Robertson