The Queen's Gambit

Who would have thought a show about chess could be this good, but The Queen's Gambit truly is.

Anya Taylor-Joy plays Beth Harmon an orphaned young girl who tragically loses her mother and is sent to an orphanage. At the orphanage she befriends the janitor who begins to teach her chess in the basement. Shortly after he begins teaching her it is clear she has a special skill for the game. As time goes on at the orphanage her skill level becomes better and better. This leads to very exciting and fun scenes where she takes on men that are much older and 12 kids in high school all at the same time.

As she gets older (into her teens and until around 20) we follow her journey into the world stage as a top US player and International player. She learns from US rivals and has her target on the top player in Russia.

However this series isn't just about chess, Beth has a substance abuse problem that developed from the medications at the orphanage and then a drinking problem too. At times these issues help her see visions in the game of chess but overall they cause her many problems too. She also develops a loving relationship with the woman who adopts her that helps her learn more about life.

The Queen's Gambit is a deep and exciting show. Somehow the chess battles make me feel like I did watching Rocky fight Drago in Rocky IV. You will love this show and it's no wonder it currently ranks as the MOST WATCHED LIMITED SERIES in the history of Netflix!