The Queen’s Gambit

Beth Harmon's journey begins in Kentucky, where she witnesses her mother's death in a car crash at age 9. After the accident, she is sent to an orphanage, starting her challenging life marked by loss and trauma. Her early struggle with pills and her fascination with chess are established during this childhood stage.

In the orphanage's basement, Beth notices custodian Mr. Shaibel playing chess alone and becomes captivated by the game. Despite initial rejection, she persuades him to teach her, quickly showing remarkable aptitude for strategy and visualization. Her talent begins to flourish as she practices obsessively, aided by her green pills.

Beth wins her first local matches against adults, including school club tournaments, while struggling with her dependency on tranquilizers disguised as pills. Her doping leads to a collapse during a school event, marking her dangerous reliance on substances to enhance her chess insights.

Beth is adopted by the Wheatley family and moves to Kansas at age 15, where she faces social rejection and neglect, especially from Alma, who discourages her chess pursuits. She begins to steal tranquilizers from her mother and fabricates her own chess ambitions, entering early competitions with little support.

Beth participates in her first high-stakes tournament at the Kentucky State, defeating multiple opponents including a local master and a grandmaster, earning prize money and recognition. This victory boosts her confidence and she begins to see chess as her potential future.

Beth travels to European tournaments, notably in Mexico City and Paris, where she encounters and copes with alcohol, drugs, and romantic pursuits amidst her rapidly rising fame. She faces Soviet grandmasters, including Borgov, and struggles with her mental health and substance dependency.

Beth trains intensively with her mentor Watts in New York, learning Russian and studying Borgov’s strategies to prepare for their clash. Her confidence fluctuates as she faces setbacks, including a crushing loss to Borgov in Moscow and the emotional toll of her addictions.

In the intense European championship, Beth confronts Borgov. After a grueling game, she is ultimately defeated, but during the match, she demonstrates resilience and growth. The emotional climax reveals her inner struggles and highlights her overcoming personal demons to compete at the highest level.

Back in America, Beth wins the national title, beating Watts and claiming the US Championship, which establishes her as a leading international player. Her victory signifies her mastery of the game and begins her journey to face the global elite, especially the Soviets.

Beth receives funding from various organizations to travel to the Soviet Union, where she aims to challenge Borgov and break the Soviet dominance. She systematically studies game strategies, confronts her fears, and prepares mentally and physically for the ultimate confrontation.

In the final match, Beth employs her strategic skills and resilience to battle Borgov, a game filled with tense exchanges, strategic improvisations, and emotional stakes. She ultimately outplays Borgov, achieving a historic victory and triumphing over her personal and professional challenges.

Following her victory, Beth walks away from her old dependencies, embraces her success, and begins a new chapter defined by peace, self-awareness, and continued mastery. Her journey signifies overcoming trauma and addiction to realize her full potential as a chess legend and a person.