THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT Review: Victorious, Masterful, and Engaging

People generally don’t consider chess to be a sport (a category often reserved for more physical activities), so it’s not surprising that most viewers aren’t drawing comparisons between The Queen’s Gambit and classics such as Rocky or Raging Bull. Maybe it’s too soon to call it, but I think this miniseries will stand the test of time in similar fashion. As an avid chess player, I was very pleased with its cultural depiction of the game. And above all, I found The Queen’s Gambit to be an all-round engaging character piece.

Central Focus

The character in question is Beth Harmon, a young orphaned girl who becomes an exceptional player, and then goes on to compete with the world champions. The central performance by Anya Taylor-Joy is fantastic. Coming off the success of movies like Split and Thoroughbreds - the former being my personal favorite - she really sells the determination of someone ascending to the top against all odds. From an acting standpoint, the way she holds her own against those portraying the seasoned players is a masterclass in its own right.

Plot

Of course, the ascension to the championship is no easy feat. At the beginning, Beth loses her mother to a car accident. With no one left to care for her, she’s taken to an orphanage in Kentucky. There, she meets Mr. Shaibel, the reclusive janitor who teaches our protagonist how to play. She proves to be a natural, and excels way beyond anyone’s expectations; sometimes to the chagrin of the head of the institution.

Eventually, she’s adopted by a couple from Lexington and goes after the grandmaster title through chess tournaments across the globe. I must say, the depiction of these events is spot on; the timing of the games, the recording of every move, the stalemate offers, and the handshakes at the finish. Overall, there’s a real sense of sportsmanship in the way Beth carries herself from one round to another; something I witnessed firsthand at scholastic tournaments growing up.

Main Story

Along the way, Beth meets new friends and develops romantic attachments…and that’s where her character is really tested. One common misconception is between plot and story. Whereas plot refers to physical actions and events, like Beth getting on a plane to Russia or going for a swim with her friends, story alludes more to the internal journey.

Throughout The Queen’s Gambit, we get glimpses of Beth's early childhood before the orphanage. It becomes clear that her mother attempted suicide that would’ve also claimed Beth’s life, and that her father was willingly absent…this puts so much into context.

At the beginning, there’s a clear sense of detachment in Beth that I’d argue is deeply rooted in her tumultuous past. The adults that were supposed to care for her have unceremoniously departed, so of course there’re feelings of abandonment and resentment. Admirably though, Beth fills that empty void with her love of chess.

Now, while Beth’s transition to Lexington allows her to pursue her passion even further, I’d argue this is where all the trauma is pushed to the forefront. Her adoptive parents either fall ill or disappear carelessly. And the romantic interests come and go. Eventually, Beth finds herself alone and helpless once again. What follows is an escalation in alcoholism and drug addiction; effectively hindering her quest for the world championship.

Well, it only takes the arrival of Beth’s friend, Jolene, to turn the tide. This is somebody we meet early on, and who reemerges at a pivotal moment to help Beth overcome her personal demons; to realize that she is holding herself back.

When it comes to the sports genre, I’ve always been partial to Rocky. Beth’s struggle very much echoes a line from one of those movies, when Sylvester Stallone’s character tells his student to look in the mirror and recognize that this is the “toughest opponent you’re ever going to have to face. It’s true in the ring, and in life.” Boxing and chess are two different sports, but the internal conflict isn’t vastly different.

Future

The way I see it, there’s no reason why The Queen’s Gambit shouldn’t have a sequel. Going back to the Rocky series, the third installment has always been one of my favorites. With higher stakes, it aims for something deeper than the central character overcoming obstacles to secure victory; it’s about what it means to be a champion, and how one should carry that title. If a sequel to The Queen’s Gambit does get a green light, maybe the writers should take cues from the boxer.