Queen’s Gambit: much more than chess

In both chess and series, openings can be crucial and Queen’s Gambit He has wanted to play well from the beginning. If chess can convey a slowness, presenting in the first shots a scene of a young woman surrounded by pills and liquor is knowing how to surprise with the “serve.”

The series does not have a common plot. Its title sounds strange and attractive at the same time. Its protagonist experiences somewhat extreme situations, both positively and negatively. On the other hand, his pain, sensitivity and ingenuity end up hooking us: she has something familiar about her. What of Queen’s Gambit It is a continuous checkmate of the viewer in the good sense of the term.

Perhaps its creators, originally, did not expect this series to appeal to so many types of audiences.. With a little sexualized female protagonist, without blows or violence, only with the adrenaline of intellect. A plot full of books and chess figures that doesn’t need any more ingredients to taste so good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-fJaQitvS8

Queen’s Gambit: chess addiction

Queen’s Gambit puts chess center stage. Through its episodes a myth is destroyed: it is not entertaining material for any audiovisual format. In any case, this fiction already had a good precedent, since It is based on the novel of the same name written by Walter Tevis. and which also achieved significant success.

The protagonist, along with chess, is Beth Harmon. A young woman with an intelligence that defies all known standards in the world of chess. The character is, in some way, inspired by the athlete and chess player Bobby Fischer, a “unique chess player.” The series tries to replicate this with a female protagonist, who must face the prejudices associated with her condition as a woman.

Queen’s Gambit is an “ode to chess”, with a protagonist who must fight against her horrible addictions, while practicing a sport that requires maximum concentration and strategy. In the history The limits of genius are explored, which are often complemented by a dark side represented by unhealthy habits narrated in the plot. In this sense, the extravagance of the myth is not renounced.

Addiction and passion

Queen’s Gambit It begins its narrative with a child Beth (played by Isla Johnston) who is placed in a Kentucky orphanage after surviving her mother’s car suicide, from which she emerges only physically unscathed. The orphanage, a somewhat repressive place, tries to keep its guests under control using tranquilizers.

The introverted Beth finds her perfect allies in them: they allow her to calm her unstable temperament, sharpen her imagination at night and enter a pseudo-hallucinatory state. The cognitive and emotional escape will be definitive when you discover chess. The scenes in which chess games are simulated on the ceiling are the perfect example of what passion means.

A fast pace

For 7 episodes The Queen’s Gambit “besieges” us with entertainment, moving away from the vulgarity and predictability of many of the productions in the current catalog. In the opening episode, the projected aesthetic is that of a storybook. That’s when Beth “trips” into chess while running an errand to the basement of the orphanage caretaker, Mr. Shaibel. (played by Bill Camp).

The guardian, at first, is reluctant to teach her, but finally agrees, amazed by her interest and ability. At night, Beth reviews the movements he teaches her on an imaginary board that she projects using the shadows in her bedroom.

The orphanage scenes are slow, illustrating how Beth is withering amidst the anti-anxiety medications and discipline. For her, Discovering that basement will be the event that will mark his entire childhood and subsequent life. She will be fascinated by that solitary and quiet man, whose life seems to weigh on his shoulders.

Beth finds out that Mr. Shaibel is playing chess against himself. This causes empathy, mystery and even more desire to discover all the secrets of the game.

It is not necessary to have seen any other chess movie to appreciate the dedication that good practice requires. Beth’s learning alongside Shaibel is fascinating. The seriousness and affection of these two lonely souls combine. Emotions come across the screen.

Beth’s transition

The teenage and adult Beth are played by Anya Taylor-Joy, an actress who seems to have found one of the roles of her career. At 15 she was adopted by Alma Wheatley. (played by Marielle Heller), a middle-aged woman who is dying in her marriage and finds in Beth a new reason to live.

His emotional weakness contrasts with that of Beth, who seems strong. Although they give off different smells, in reality very similar women come together: talented and sensitive who face a world that does not give them many cultural possibilities. Furthermore, they are “emotionally touched” and only know how to get out of the pain through drink or tranquilizers.

The aesthetics of Beth’s hairstyles and dresses will also mark her transition from teenager to adult., choosing fashion as the perfect complement to his ingenuity. She will say goodbye to her disheveled hairstyle, taking more and more care of her image as the footage progresses.

Taylor-Joy appears in every scene, even before other characters watch her play and learn to confirm what Mr. Shaibel told her in her childhood: “to tell you the truth, girl, you’re amazing.” This actress’ charisma and range goes a long way, as does the director’s obvious fun in combining chess with Cold War spy iconography.

Queen’s Gambit and the games of life

The Queen’s Gambit teaches us that passion and amazing talent can help you solve your life financially, but at the same time they can also nullify your ability to ask for help in time. Beth’s struggle with addiction, mental illness, and isolation underpin the story. over seven long episodes, but they are not the only plots.

Relationships develop that feel ill-fed by Beth’s character, while the people on the other side feel unusually surprised and overwhelmed by her personality. The script takes into account his contradictory nature, having difficulty socializing even when her friends, like her orphanage roommate Jolene, stick by her side.

In short, The Queen’s Gambit is a fresh and astonishing victory in a Netflix catalog that needs new plots with different acting talents. It shows that intrigue can be present in 7 long chapters without the need for violence or hypersexualization of the characters. The strange and the elegant can also conquer a wide audience.

You might be interested…