Classics: A Review of The Queen's Gambit By Lauren Ennis

 Chess is a game made up of sixty-four squares, thirty-two pieces, and infinite possibilities. After nearly a millennium chess remains arguably the world's most complex and challenging mental game. For young Beth Harmon, however, this daunting world of knights and queens is nothing short of beautiful. Netflix's breakout hit miniseries The Queen's Gambit follows a chess prodigy as she navigates all sixty-four squares of the chess board while struggling through trauma, loss, love, addiction, and obsession. Part sports drama and part coming of age story The Queen's Gambit is entirely unexpected, original, and thrilling.

The story begins in the mid-1950's when nine year old Beth Harmon is left orphaned after her mother drives their car over a bridge. She is then placed in the custody of the Methuen Home for Girls outside of Lexington, Kentucky. Along with room, board, and an education the staff also provide the girls with a steady diet of tranquilizers to 'even their disposition'. Even as she finds herself falling under the addictive spell of the tranquilizers she is mesmerized by an obsession that becomes a life long passion; chess. After watching the orphanage's janitor, Mr. Shaibel, practicing chess in the basement she begs him to teach her the game and proves herself to be a chess prodigy. Six years later she is adopted by a local couple and enters the world of competitive chess. She then endures the trials and triumphs of growing up against the backdrop of a rapidly changing '60's America. Just as she reaches the brink of personal fulfillment and professional success, however, the demons of her past return to threaten her future.

The series successfully blends the elements of coming of age stories, sports dramas, and period pieces to relate a tale as unique and captivating as its heroine. Through its depiction of Beth's personal evolution the series explores such timeless themes as trauma, loss, addiction, family, and friendship in a way that modern audiences will be hard pressed not to identify with. Simultaneously the series uses its 1950's and 1960's setting to optimal effect by highlighting the ways in which the era's political climate and changing sexual and gender norms impact her both personally and professionally. As a result, her journey tells a universal coming of age story, while still remaining firmly within the context of it's historical setting. While chess is not what comes to many viewers' minds when they hear the word 'sport', The Queen's Gambit earns its place alongside the best of cinema's sports dramas.  Through its depiction of Beth's development from child prodigy to mature grand master the series aptly portrays the highs and lows of competition as well as the work and sacrifices behind each match. Although the series does explain the basic rules of chess it uses the characters' facial expressions and body language to convey the drama and meaning of each move rather than inundating viewers with facts and statistics. In this way, the series frames each chess match with the action of a boxing match and the subtlety of a ballet performance. As a result, viewers feel the disappointment of loss and the triumph of winning right along with Beth regardless of their knowledge of or experience in chess. If you're looking for your next binge watch brush up on your strategy with Beth in The Queen's Gambit.

The film brings the elusive world of competitive chess to life thanks to the uniformly mesmerizing work of its cast. Marielle Heller is equal parts warm and wounded as Beth's loving but troubled adoptive mother, Alma. Bill Camp makes a lasting impression as Beth's mentor of few words, Mr. Shaibel. Moses Igram is electric in her performance as Beth's charismatic friend at Methuen, Jolene. Thomas Brodie-Sangster exudes cool in his magnetic turn as bad boy chess champion Benny. Harry Melling aptly portrays local chess champ Harry Beltik's evolution from entitled to endearing without missing a beat. Jacob Fortune Lloyd infuses Beth's unrequited love, D.L. Townes with an irresistible combination of intelligence and boyish charm. Even in the midst of the exemplary performances surrounding her the series belongs to Anya Taylor-Joy as she portrays Beth's tumultuous journey with a blend of vulnerability, resilience, intelligence, and intensity that is nothing short of riveting.

Benny Watts defines chess as a world of "sacrifices and drama", a description that equally applies to The Queen's Gambit. With Beth Harmon as its guide the series immerses viewers in that world of drama in a way that will have even those with no knowledge of or interest in chess on the edge of their seats. Through its deftly written script and compelling performances the series treats viewers to seven of the most captivating hours of television in recent memory.  For a series more addictive than any tranquilizer join Beth in The Queen's Gambit.