The Queen's Gambit
8.596%94%8.5
Orphaned at the tender age of nine, prodigious introvert Beth Harmon discovers and masters the game of chess in 1960s USA. But child stardom comes at a price.
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The Queen's Gambit Ratings & Reviews
- Zbigniew CzachorNovember 1, 2025This show is amazing! <3
- CallumSeptember 17, 2025⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – The Queen’s Gambit – Every Move a Masterstroke Some shows are simply good; others feel crafted. The Queen’s Gambit is the latter — a rare series that turns the quiet precision of chess into a symphony of obsession, elegance, and genius. What begins as a slow-burning character study quickly blossoms into one of the most gripping, emotionally charged dramas of the decade. We follow Beth Harmon, a young orphan who discovers that the pieces on the board make more sense than the people around her. As she rises through the ranks, her story becomes as much about control as it is about competition — a constant balancing act between brilliance and breakdown. Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance is magnetic; she doesn’t just play Beth, she becomes her, every flicker of calculation behind those eyes a move in a much bigger game. The production is exquisite — from the muted palettes of orphanage walls to the glimmering chess halls of Moscow, every scene is framed like a painting. The tension builds not through explosions or violence, but through silence, intellect, and the pounding rhythm of possibility. When the final match arrives, it’s electric. You don’t need to know the rules of chess to feel the pulse of every decision; you just know you’re watching greatness. Beyond the board, it’s a story about isolation, addiction, and the cost of genius — how brilliance can consume as much as it creates. And yet, it’s never bleak. There’s a strange beauty in Beth’s struggle, a quiet triumph in every moment she refuses to break. The Queen’s Gambit is television at its sharpest — strategic, emotional, and utterly consuming. The kind of series that makes you want to dust off an old chessboard and see if maybe, just maybe, you’ve got a grandmaster in you too. 🍷 Pairing: A glass of deep red Merlot — rich, deliberate, and smooth, with the kind of depth that lingers long after the last move is played.
- AngelSeptember 9, 2025Around episode 6, it starts to lose steam, and from there it goes from bad to worse. I'm not saying the series is poorly made; it's not a bad series, with good dialogue and performances. But if you know the story of Bobby Fischer, it reeks of propaganda. In a world where reality doesn't matter and fairy tales are what's in fashion, I can understand why this is more interesting than the life of a madman who has been applauded by Russian chess masters for 50 years and who ended up exiled in Iceland because the United States wanted to arrest him. In The Pawn Sacrifice, the final part alone is a thousand times more interesting than this entire series. The last line of that movie: "People think there are many options, but... there is only one right move." And the words the real Fischer says at the end: "Does chess basically represent the search for truth? So... I am searching for the truth." Nothing in this series has that kind of depth. The final competition seems like something out of a Harry Potter chapter, where the kid is showered with praise and applause as he passes each test, without barely showing what's happening on the board or what Fischer actually did: invent a new kind of chess. He amazed people by creating chess that had never been seen before. And then there's that Disney stamp, of course—the story can't have a bad ending. Good thing it's "based" on Fischer's life, right? A fantasy where chess masters can spend vast amounts of time on fashion and drugs. Sure. He could have also hit himself in the head with a hammer during each match; what does it matter, since the brain isn't important, right? xD. It reminds me a lot of what happened with the new Star Wars films: a female protagonist who, in a couple of months, becomes the most powerful Jedi in the history of the saga. Here, it's a female protagonist who becomes the youngest world chess champion in history. "Based on a true story"—it's hilarious. I think a time will come when we have to decide if we want to watch propaganda or history on TV. If Cleopatra could see this... xD. I would rather watch a well-made series about Joan of Arc or the creator of Wing Chun, Ng Mui, instead of having them change a person's gender to tell me a story and then expect me to believe it, especially when she rides off on Rocinante's back at the end. It's like telling people the story of the discovery of the continuum hypothesis, but instead of telling how Georg Cantor slowly went mad trying to solve it, you tell the story of Karen Scrabble and how, while getting high and drunk, she achieved the enlightenment of infinity and grasped the most fundamental principles of mathematics. It all culminates in an epic finale where her boyfriend photographs her as she drives off in her convertible, wearing her latest outfit, to play the game of set theory with old men in the park. Perhaps—and I'm just saying perhaps, in my humble opinion—a story like that might confuse the person watching this great work a little bit, especially those impressionable young people who wander the world, you know, the youth. "Learn chess, study math, and if you become the best, don't worry, you won't go crazy!" Happily ever after and all the rest xD. It would have been so easy to just tell the life story of Judit Polgár. They could have even explained why she beat Kasparov even though the judges turned a blind eye during the match. But no, let's keep lying and deceiving, giving a woman credit for accomplishments made by men. I wonder what would happen if we did the opposite :). Poor James Glaisher. Shall we continue? ;)
- Jordan GreenhutSeptember 4, 2025Chess sucks. This rocks.
- Vincent ReggianniniMay 25, 2025Hard to believe any writer could make chess exciting and enticing to watch, but add Anna Taylor Joy to the mix with a fascinating storyline and you have the Queen’s Gambit”. It’s chess lived at the edge, propelling a genius female player head-first into a male dominated “sport” with amusing results, and fascinating relationships. It’s tense, it’s romantic and it’s also heartbreaking as lives are thrust into the spotlight and either flourishing or succumbing to the pressure that exists at the peak of talent.
- HakihikoMarch 23, 2025A Brilliant and Stylish Chess Game "The Queen's Gambit" is a masterfully crafted series that blends the world of competitive chess with a deeply personal story of ambition, addiction, and self-discovery. With stunning cinematography, a gripping narrative, and a stellar lead performance, the show manages to turn a niche subject into an emotionally charged and universally compelling drama. Anya Taylor-Joy delivers a mesmerizing performance as Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy navigating the pressures of success while battling her personal demons. Her portrayal is nuanced and captivating, effortlessly carrying the series from start to finish. The supporting cast also adds depth, with each character contributing meaningfully to Beth's journey without overshadowing her. Visually, the series is a feast for the eyes. The meticulous set designs, period-accurate costumes, and stylish cinematography immerse viewers in the 1960s setting, making chess competitions feel as tense and thrilling as high-stakes sports events. The storytelling is sharp and well-paced, balancing the technical aspects of chess with Beth's emotional struggles in a way that keeps even non-chess enthusiasts engaged. Overall, "The Queen's Gambit" is an engrossing and beautifully executed drama that transcends its premise. With an unforgettable lead performance and a gripping narrative, it's a must-watch-even for those who have never played a game of chess.
