TV Review: The Queen's Gambit (2020)

The Queen's Gambit (2020) created by Scott Frank and Allan Scott based on the novel by Walter Tevis

Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a female American chess champ in the 1960s. She has a rough beginning. Her mom wrecks their car, killing herself and forcing Beth into an orphanage as an eight-year old. She's a bit rebellious and starts hanging out with the orphanage's janitor Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp). He teachers her chess in the off moments where they can get together in his basement work area. He's fairly good and puts up with her feistiness. It's the 1950s and, in an effort to keep the girls submissive, the orphans are given tranquilizers along with their daily vitamin. Beth becomes addicted to the pills due to the influence of a fellow orphan. 

Beth gets out when she is adopted by a local couple. The dad is a traveling salesman who is hardly home; mom stays at home and his her own addiction problems. Beth plays chess more and discovers that there's money to be had in winning tournaments. Her career takes off, leading to a jetsetting life going national and international competitions. But can she beat the Russians and her addiction?

The show starts off a little slow and Beth is both sympathetic and unlikeable. Her addiction fuels her ability and it seems like her best playing is when she is high. She relies on pills to win tough matches. She does not make friends with others in spite of many people reaching out to her. I almost gave up after the second episode but heard some good feedback and gave it another episode. She becomes more likable as the story develops. Her addiction is not portrayed positively (except for causing her victories). Her friends are more supportive than she deserves, something Beth eventually appreciates. Taylor-Joy gives a solid performance, depicting Beth's naivety, brilliance, and social ineptness. Beth's ability to see possible further moves is shown in different, visually interesting ways. The cast is uniformly good.

The production values are very good. The period fashions and locations are fun. The male chauvinism of the chess community is shown but not turned into some over-the-top feminist screed. Even the Russians are depicted with more depth than I expected. The soundtrack uses a lot of pop music from the era, giving the show an authentic, vintage feel.

Recommended, though there is a bit of rough going throughout the series.

Right now, the show is streaming on Netflix.