The Queen's Gambit (2020)

Do you ever watch a much talked about the show and think, well, this just isn’t for me? You all may like it, but I DON’T like it. I’m different. I’m not like other girls. I’m a pioneer in modern times. I’m looking at you, everyone who thinks they don’t like Schitt’s Creek. That’s what I thought to myself when I watched the first episode of Netflix’s limited series, The Queen’s Gambit. I watched the first 20 minutes, and unfairly assumed that I wouldn’t be drawn in by this story about an orphaned chess player. After all, I don’t even like chess. 

Was I wrong? Of course, I was bloody wrong. I abandoned the show for some time, but once I gave it a real chance I thought this show was something to truly marvel. Not only does it have a wonderful cast, beautiful costumes, and set design, it also somehow made chess interesting. I had no god damn idea what was going on, but my eyes were glued to the screen staring into Anya Taylor-Joy’s eyes. Those orbs are like the terrifying depths into the true extent of the cold dark universe, and as a viewer, I hotly anticipated her every move. 

One thing is clear, Netflix has money to burn on its productions. That much was obvious when Netflix movies started getting nominated for Academy Awards. It’s no surprise then that The Queen’s Gambit was beautifully put together. Like a carefully planned out chess game, The Queen’s Gambit was meticulously plotted. 

Elizabeth Harmon, or Beth, begins our story living in a 1950s orphanage. She has lost her parents in mysterious circumstances. From the first day of her stay, Beth is introduced to the tranquilisers which are given to every girl at the institution. Beth will go on to form a drug habit that she uses to numb the pain for many years to come. She also develops a love of chess after convincing the janitor to teach her how to play. Beth loses herself in the game, allowing game strategy to occupy her almost every waking thought. 

Beth goes from being an unknown youth with an unfortunate past to a sensation in the chess community. A big part of the show’s appeal is the anticipation of watching Beth destroy her male opponents. In the beginning, many fail to be intimidated by the shy and young Beth, and she uses their underestimation of her abilities to her advantage. 

I was pleasantly carried along by the storytelling in The Queen’s Gambit, despite my initial thoughts on the show, I realised there was rarely a dull moment. The trajectory of the show explores the pitfalls of Beth’s experience coming of age in the excessive decade of the 1960s. 

I have also heard the chess community approves of the show's use of chess, which shows the care taken in the scriptwriting. I wouldn’t know, but for a show to keep me engaged with a game I know little about, it must mean they did something right. 

You know this is on Netflix, it’s already been advertised to you a bunch. If you were tentative about giving this show a go, I highly recommend you give it a watch. I could do with more miniseries as well, The Queen’s Gambit packed a real punch with very little time invested.