The Queen's Gambit

About The Queen's Gambit

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About

"The Queen's Gambit" is a critically acclaimed TV drama miniseries that premiered on Netflix in 2020. The story follows the life of Beth Harmon, an orphaned chess prodigy set in the 1950s and 1960s, as she struggles with addiction while pursuing her dream of becoming the world's greatest chess player.

Making / Production

The miniseries is based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. It was created and directed by Scott Frank and Allan Scott. The show beautifully captures the aesthetics and atmosphere of the period it is set in, with meticulous attention to detail in costume design and set decoration.

Actors

• Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon - Anya portrayed the lead character, Beth Harmon, with a perfect balance of vulnerability and determination.
• Bill Camp as Mr. Shaibel - Bill played the role of Mr. Shaibel, the janitor who teaches young Beth how to play chess.
• Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Benny Watts - Thomas portrayed Benny Watts, a US chess champion who becomes a mentor to Beth.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "The Queen's Gambit" became one of Netflix's most-watched scripted limited series within four weeks of its release.
• The show led to a surge in interest in chess, with sales of chess sets and enrollments in chess classes increasing significantly after its release.

Awards

"The Queen's Gambit" received numerous accolades, including several Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Lead Actress for Anya Taylor-Joy.

Quotes

• "Chess isn’t always competitive. Chess can also be beautiful." - Beth Harmon
• "You can’t win a game without sacrifice." - Borgov

Music

"The Queen's Gambit" features a captivating soundtrack that complements the mood of the series perfectly, enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes.

Soundtrack

• "Venus" by Shocking Blue
• "Teardrop" by Massive Attack