Since The Queen’s Gambit came out a couple months ago, I have yet to see a bad or even somewhat disappointed review for it. Now I understand why! This was one of the strongest series I’ve ever watched and it was something I know next to nothing about: chess! This, coupled with Ted Lasso, proves that if a show is written and acted really well, then it doesn’t matter how seemingly boring your subject matter is. If you would have told me at the start of the year that the best fictionalized television I would watch was about soccer and chess I would have laughed in your face. They have proven me wrong.
Now, this is no comedy like Ted Lasso was, but it was in fact an intense drama about a young orphan named Beth who takes up chess when introduced at the age of nine by a janitor. The odd pair got along because they were both blunt in a way. I’m sure Mr. Shaibel also appreciated that she had a knack for it and wasn’t irritating like normal nine year old’s are. Aside from chess, Beth also developed a dependency on drugs, even though her friend at the orphanage, Jolene, tried to warn her not to become too reliant on them.
Unfortunately, the drugs and eventually alcohol are substances she continues to battle with even after she gets adopted and becomes a world-famous chess player. She believes they help her see and play the game better, and her adoptive mother, Alma, dealt with her own problems all throughout her time with Beth. Despite all that, the two did have a very loving relationship and her death was devastating. As was the eventual death of Mr. Shaibel. That particular scene late in the series had me in tears.
Anyways, not long after Beth started learning chess with Mr. Shaibel, he could see she had a talent and decided to help her branch out to get better. First, she played a group of high schoolers all at once, and then she rather quickly started entering tournaments. She would handily defeat everyone she came up against…almost. Even though the rare loses knocked her down for a bit, she always rose to the occasion and learned from her errors and come out victorious in the next meeting.
Beth mostly played men, who seemed in awe of her ruthless talent. Those who were at the top of their game eventually became intimate with Beth in some way, including state champion Harry Beltik, US champion Benny Watts, and a man from her first tournament, Townes. With each relationship, she lets her vices temporarily destroy the bonds she has built with them. It also ruins her chances to beat unprecedented Russian player and world champion, Vasily Borgov. He almost outright embarrasses her the two times they meet prior to their world championship match.
Finally, after seeing the shrine of pride Mr. Shaibel kept in the basement of the orphanage, Beth gets control of her life to make sure she comes out on top in Russia. Jolene helps pay her way there and even though she’s alone and sober, she knows she has what it takes to beat the best of the best. Upon making it to the final rounds, she runs into Townes who is covering the tournament. Together with him and all of her other close chess friends, they work together to come up with the plays necessary to beat Borgov.
Overall, just a fantastic miniseries! Anya Taylor joy is mesmerizing as Beth. Her eyes welcome you in and then hold you there in whatever scene she is acting. I also love how she was able to play Beth and both warm and calculating, alternating almost on a dime. Her character has lived a traumatic life and she represents the confusion its brought her excellently. All of the supporting cast was equally as intriguing, and I can’t blame everyone for fawning over Beth. If you haven’t already devoured these seven episodes, then what are you waiting for?!