The Queen’s Gambit is the intellectual new Netflix Limited Series that follows the genius, Elizabeth (Beth) Harmon on her rise to becoming the most renowned chess player of her time. Set in the sixties, the story begins with an orphaned Beth who finds recluse at her strictly Christian orphanage through sneaking to the basement and learning chess from the janitor. 

When he teaches her strategy and famous sequences such as the Queen’s Gambit and the Sicilian defense, she begins her spiral into her obsession with chess which she carries into adult life, as well as her problems with addiction due to the orphanage’s use of tranquilizers to keep the children in line.

Beth is such a unique and sort of offset character that one questions how Anya Taylor-Joy could pull off such an amazing performance. She embodies the genius that is Beth Harmon which isn’t surprising when you learn that she herself is an oddball. When learning about Taylor-Joy’s unusual interests such as crystals and tarot cards, there is no doubt about why this superstitious rising star is able to fit into such a unique role.

As an avid chess fanatic, this series is absolutely stunning, though it does tend to romanticize the game and the people involved in it. The show entices viewers to continue watching as it is not only about chess, but Beth’s troubles in life, love, and her inner turmoil fearing that she isn’t good enough. The tournament scenes are filmed with such care as to perfectly build tension throughout the game, making all of the audience watching feel the true suspense and thrill that chess fans feel when watching talented opponents battle it out on the board.

One of the highlights of the show is the array of suitors interested in Beth Harmon for not only her beauty, but her smarts. Over the course of the series, we are introduced to characters such as D.L. Townes (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd), Harry Beltik (Harry Melling), and Benny Watts (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), who recur in Beth’s life as not only friends but love interests. By far, the chemistry between Watts and Harmon is the most compelling due to their shared talents and way of thinking. This element in the storyline makes your heart ache as you watch when she is constantly passing these love interests at different times in her life.

The show consumes the viewer just as chess consumes Beth. We are waltzing through a story of pain, opportunity, love, family, sadness, madness, and champions. This truly inspiring show stirs its audience to feel the wonder, beauty, and sometimes scary wit of Beth Harmon. One can only hope that there’s a second season to enchant viewers once again.