Whether you’ve played chess or not, you may want to try it after watching – The Queen’s Gambit. Netflix’s new historical drama miniseries based on Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel (same name as the show) is one of the most interesting and intriguing shows starring Anya Taylor Joy (Beth Harmon).
Not many stories begin with a tragedy and flow forward. This show moves ahead, giving us glimpses of the past through the protagonist herself. It’s almost as if you were part of her brain and it’s thoughts. Whenever we dived into her past, we would only see factual glimpses and not narratives. It was like unbiased information being presented and we could perceive it in our own way.
The story takes us through Beth’s journey of being an orphan to falling in love with chess. She would sleep thinking about it and wake up to play it. Her passion for the game leads her to absolute success in winning various competitions. Her fondness for the green pills and alcohol reflects the element of disturbance. The viewers may understand from the beginning that it would eventually all rain down on her. But there’s a twist even with that!
While you watch you may know the pitfalls but still your attachment with the character makes you wish for better. The story makes you happy for Beth and you want to see her achieve more.
While she astonishes you with her chess skills and the cinematography makes the game beautiful for you, let’s explore more characters from the story.
Jolene, her friend from the Methuen Orphanage embodies characteristics of being smart, well aware of her limits and is very upfront. Their friendship begins with the green pills and with an unexpected surprise when they grow older. I describe her as a saviour and a true friend.
Beth is soon adopted by Alma Wheatley and her husband Allston Wheatley. While Allston didn’t play any part in her care, Mrs Wheatley played an essential role. Alma and Harmon’s bond begins with her winnings from the chess matches. This bond soon becomes a co-dependent and loving mother-daughter connection. She would share her strategies and even her thoughts with her mother. Sharing made her feel closer to a person.
Mrs Wheatley was a talented pianist but barely performed live. While her husband ignored her playing as a mere hobby, Beth adored it as a skill.
The protagonist grew up watching Alma enjoy alcohol and her death from Hepatitis really came as another struggle. This circumstance brought on a devastation you may recognise well while watching the series.
Moving onto other chess players of the series – Benny Watts,Townes, Harry Beltik and Borgov were phenomenal in their performance, especially at the end. I’ll give you the chance to find out if Beth beats them at chess by watching the series.
But each match with them is intense, it fills you up with anticipation, wonder and a hope for her to win. That’s what the show does, it ropes you and makes you a part of chess even if you aren’t. The confidence, focus, determination and her foresight gave the matches a good rush.
Harry’s support and encouragement made him a simple yet powerful character. No one could beat Benny’s team spirit and Borgov’s sportsmanship is commendable. Townes is one character I’d like to leave for the audience to judge.
Let’s not forget a very important character of the story, Mr. Shaibel. The man who taught Beth chess and followed her success all the way through. In every interview she would mention him like she was thanking him for introducing her to this incredible sport.
There will be moments in the story where you’ll find Beth wishing to be recognised more as a chess player than just being a girl amongst all the men. Some of the iconic dialogues that reflect the same –
“It’s mostly about my being a girl. It shouldn’t be that important. They didn’t print half the things I said.”
“I would say it’s much easier to play chess without the burden of an Adam’s Apple.”
Another great aspect of the series is that it shows the good side, the side where men are unapologetically encouraging of another player, even if she’s a woman beating most of them at chess.
Do yourself a favour and brighten up the remaining 2020 days with this marvelous show. Maybe you pick up the chess board too?