Show Review: The Queen’s Gambit

The game of chess has never seem interesting to me. My grandparents had a wooden chess set on an end table while I was young. I always played with the pieces but never learned the game. I was more into imagining the queen and the king had lives.

This show made me wish I knew more about the game.

The show is about Beth Harmon, an orphaned girl. After her mother dies, she is sent to live at an orphanage. In the orphanage she develops an addiction to tranquilizers and meets Shaibel, who is the first person to teach her chess. After several years, she is adopted by a couple. While the couple’s marital problems cause them to split, Beth involves herself in chess tournaments. She goes on to be world renowned and struggles with her addiction throughout the whole series.

To say the least, this show is a masterpiece. I dont think anyone could have made the game of chess as interesting as Scott Frank (Director) and Anya Taylor-Joy (Beth Harmon) did in this show.

I loved the show from the moment I put it on. The darker undertones of the scenes really held me enchanted. I binged watched the show and almost finished the whole thing in a day. |The show is only 7 episodes long, perfect for a rainy day or a COVID safe weekend.

Please watch it.

It will change your understanding of chess and life.

I cant say much more for fear of spoiling the series. Just go check it out for yourself.

As always, thanks for reading,

A Bookie

Star rating: 4.2