If you have Netflix, or pay any sort of attention to the successes of the television series and movie platform, you’ve likely heard, in some way, of a new series titled The Queen’s Gambit. Since it premiered via Netflix, the world has gone a little bit batshit because of it; chess sales, apparently, are up 150 per cent, and Google searches of how to play chess have never been more prominent.
Blaine and I decided to cave to the hype and tune into the show. We both were under the impression that The Queen’s Gambit was a movie, but in actuality, it is a drama miniseries.
“The Queen’s Gambit is a 2020 American coming-of-age period drama streaming television miniseries based on Walter Tevis‘s 1983 novel of the same name. It was created for Netflix by Scott Frank and Allan Scott, and written and directed by the former. Beginning mid-1950s and proceeding into the 1960s, the story is about an orphaned chess prodigy on her rise to the top of the chess world while struggling with emotional problems and drug and alcohol dependency.
“The Queen’s Gambit was released on October 23, 2020. After four weeks of viewing it became Netflix’s most-watched scripted miniseries.[1] It has received critical acclaim for Anya Taylor-Joy‘s performance as Beth Harmon as well as for the cinematography and production values. It has also received a positive response from the chess community and is credited with spurring a resurgence of public interest in the game,” the show’s Wikipedia page states.
I’ve only seen two episodes thus far, and while there are many more episodes to be watched, I can say already that this series is excellent. From the cast to the plot to the sinister undertones evident throughout the show, this series is one that would arguably appeal to anyone, regardless if you’re familiar with chess or not. Personally, I haven’t a clue of how to play the game, but this show has certainly encouraged me to appreciate and respect its intricate structures and the mental skill required to master it.
If you haven’t seen The Queen’s Gambit yet, check it out. I promise you, it really is worth the hype.
ontheedgeofeverything 