To Everyone Who Watched "The Queen's Gambit" And Suddenly Thinks They're A Chess Master
A Closed Sicilian?! In this economy?!
Over the weekend, I finally got around to starting The Queen's Gambit, and it's every bit as good as everyone told me it would be.
Phil Bray/Netflix
If you don't know, the limited series tells the story of Beth Harmon, a young girl who learns she is incredibly gifted at chess while living in an orphanage, and her journey in the world of competitive chess.
I was much like Beth at the beginning...which is the only time I was REMOTELY comparable to Beth in any way, shape, or form:
Netflix
Also me:
Netflix
At first, I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to get into this show because of my lack of chess-pertise, but that fear was assuaged within 30 seconds of watching.
Watching people playing chess in The Queen's Gambit.
And suddenly, chess was my new...passion???
me starting The Queen’s Gambit: what’s the deal with chess me after four episodes: if Beth just castled kingside she could have compensated for double pawns AND still maintained the Sicilian Defense what is she DOING
Seriously, live footage of me:
Me acting like I can understand the chess scenes in The Queen’s Gambit
Like, don't mind me! I'm just over here wondering why the HECK somebody would do a CLOSED SICILIAN???? When three days ago, I would have pictured this:
The Washington Post via Getty Images
I went from "how do the different pieces like the horse one and the pawns move again?" to..."HER KNIGHT IS HANGING? OH PLEASE, BELTIK!"
Netflix
Extreme Regina George voice: GOD, BELTIK, YOU ARE SO STUPID! (Just kidding, I love him a lot.)
And from, "Whoa, Beth seems to be very good at chess" to "SHE ATTACKS LIKE ALEKHINE!"
Netflix
Anyway, all jokes aside, I'm absolutely loving the series, and this video where folks who really know chess talk about Beth's moves was an enjoyable watch for a noob like me:
View this video on YouTube
BRB, actually going to try to learn to play chess.