The final chess game with Borgov was designed move by move by former world chess champion Gary Kasparov for the show. The first half of the game (until Borgov adjourns) was based on a famous championship game from the 1930's, but after the adjournment, Kasparov re-designed it so that it climaxed with a series of symbolic moves: Beth sacrifices her queen, then a few moves later, uses her pawn to acquire a new queen. A pawn (the lowest piece on the board) becomes a queen, and the old queen is replaced by a new queen -- mirroring Beth's journey from the orphanage to champion, and her struggle to overcome her addiction by discovering her true self.
Almost completely correct. The game was from Ivanchuk vs. Wolff (1993) at the Biel International not the 1930s where Kasparov improved on the actual game with Ne6!!. The actual game ended in a draw. Agadmator (a TH-camr who does chess analysis) actually analyzed the full game (along with several other games like the game with Harry Beltik) from the Netflix series and mentions the actual game and where it deviates.
@Red Viper - thank you for mentioning that, I was thinking the same thing! I think the scene with Beth going back to Methuen was the most impactful of the whole series. First of all, thank you Jolene for showing up at just the right time and telling Beth about Mr. Schaibel. It got Beth thinking about someone else and got her out of Self Pity City. She was really on a bad downward spiral before Jolene showed up. Going back to Methuen and seeing how Mr. Schaibel had saved every little notice about Beth let her know he had followed her career every step of the way almost like a proud papa and it finally dawned on her that he actually cared about her. Given that Beth never really had any adult males to be a real father to her, this came as quite a surprise because she had basically forgotten about Schaibel, never paid the money she owed him, never went back to Methuen and thanked him for teaching her about chess. And seeing his board hit her like a ton of bricks. When the dam finally burst in Jolene's car, those were painful tears of regret flooding out of Beth. She really wanted to thank Mr. Schaibel and now it was too late. Finally, I would like to note that it was Carlos Rafael Rivera's haunting musical score that also added so much emotion to this scene. The name of this particular piece is Turning Point which is fitting. This scene was the turning point for Beth that got her back on the right track. When you think about it, Mr. Schaibel really helped save Beth twice. When he first taught her about chess, he helped her learn to focus critical thinking skills and to realize she had a gift that would really take her places and could get her a much better life beyond that dreary orphanage. When she saw his board years later it helped her to refocus on her gift that she had been throwing away and to appreciate what he had given her.
how about the fact that she never reached out to him in over a decade except to ask for money that she never repaid - how do people overlook the fact that she used and discarded everyone in her life up until the end of the series
@@guyharrison1022 There were other nods in her costumes to chess (a lot of black & white or two-toned dresses, checkered prints like her pajamas and the windowpane checked coat, etc.).
"Why are they looking at her like that?" in Benny's place. That's another reason this series is great. There's so many red herrings that could (possibly) lead down the tragic path you're expecting. A small girl alone with Mr Shaibel in his basement. Alma being in a position to take control and screw her over financially. The three guys looking hungrily at Beth while Benny suggests a "simultaneous". They're all obvious avenues in a possible tragedy flick.... and then they don't happen. It's another great feature of this series.
You mentioned it too, but I love so much that they didn't make the Russian players into super evil villainous antagonists, but rather just a bunch of normal guys who treated her with respect. Also I read somewhere that Luchenko (the crazy haired older guy) is analogous to legendary chess player Mikhail Tal, who was not only a great chess player but also a lovely person.
They could have. At the time the Soviet players would quickly ask for draws when playing each other, but then play long drawn game against other. Similar to what happen in Mexico City. Where Beth played a long drawned out game vs the young Soviet player. Only to later lose.
The irony is the actor playing Luchenko is Marcus Loges, a producer attached to a variety of shows and movies including V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas and Senses8
I lived with an addict. The "doing better" section where she was redecorating was actually part of her relapse. She was obsessing, spending a lot of money, excusing her isolation, and controlling her physical space when her life felt out of control. Once that project was over, she had to exist with herself and her feelings, which had always been masked with substances. I found the outcome to be terribly expected and phenomenally well portrayed.
@@ct6852 You make it sound like there was one single cause to Beth's struggles. Beth's a savant. Highly intelligent, with an incredible memory, but stunted social skills. She witnessed her birth father reject her, followed by her mother killing herself and trying to take Beth with her. Because of her incredible memory, she remembers these events in vivid detail. She then goes to an orphanage, where they needlessly give her tranquillizers, to which she becomes addicted. She's adopted by a married couple, but is adopted as an attempt to cure the wife's unaddressed depression. The husband leaves them shortly after, hurting both Beth and Alma. This is the second father figure to reject Beth. Beth and Alma love each other dearly. But Alma self-medicates her depression with drinking, and doesn't parent Beth when Beth starts drinking as well. Alma both encourages Beth's gifts and enables her self-destructive behavior. Just as Alma is starting to enjoy herself again, she's dumped by her new boyfriend and then dies. Her body is found by Beth. This is the second time Beth has witnessed the death of her mother figure. And again, she doesn't forget things. Beth's problems come from struggling with the weight of her intelligence, mental health issues she inherited from her mother, an addictive personality, and trauma.
@@DrLipkin Yeah that definitely makes sense. Thanks for the recap. Only saw the latter four episodes. Didn't realize that was her adoptive mother that died in the hotel room.
When I started recovery, we called that the "pink haze". It doesn't last forever and the crash can be tough. Having a support system is really important to preventing a relapse.
I teared up, when Beth saw the photos that Mr. Shaibel had up on the wall. He was proud of her, as if she was his daughter. I like to think that she also thought of him as a father, as he was strict with her, and pushed her along in her game, and had her go beyond her abilities, when he contacted the Chess Club teacher. He was proud of her, yet never told her what he really thought of her, except for one time.
@jazzman707 - when young Beth tentatively asks Mr. Schaibel "am I good enough yet?" She really had no idea just how good she was. Such a stark contrast to the arrogance Beth would show later on when she started winning tournaments.
So many moments in one episode! - finding out that Mr Shaibel was following her whole career (my fav moment) - all of her friends coming together to help her - the old Russian player being so sweet - winning, and Borgov giving her a hug
You don’t think about it as you’re watching the episodes after she moves on, but it’s obvious that he would.🤷♂️ it doesn’t make it any less moving. It was probably intentional. Make us “forget” about this awesome character, then RAM it back home.
Seven squares for a pawn to become a queen, seven episodes, she has become the white queen at the end. Brilliant series. Excellent review and commentary.
@@Jay_Sullivan I said a pawn has to move over seven squares to become queen-the one it starts on, the one it ends on and the five squares between those two places. In the first episode Beth is an absolute pawn stuck in an orphanage with no control of her destiny. With each episode she moves a bit further away from that starting point, getting stronger but also facing more dangers. Finally in the seventh and last episode she's overcome the obstacles and becomes the triumphant queen casually strolling through Moscow in her regal outfit, adored by all. Jon Kane Hoover said it's five or six moves, which is correct, but I did not say moves, I said squares. Jon misread or misunderstood as it appears you have, so in keeping with the spirit of the show, and not at all in anger, I again call Check and Mate.
@@Jay_Sullivan I'm sorry if you've never seen a chessboard or played the game. I'm especially sorry if you don't understand terms like literal, allegory, metaphor, analogy and such. I suggest you re-read this thread from the beginning and try to comprehend the meaning in all of the statements. Then lay your king down.
Anya's portrayal of Beth Harmon is compelling because she's a layered character, with a very nuanced backstory. She isn't a Mary Sue like so many protagonists these days, with flaws and insecurities that balance out her amazing talents, and her life is depicted as tragedy and success in equal measure.
Sorry to break it to you, but she is a Mary Sue. She becomes an alcoholic and a drug addict, never suffered any consequences, somehow always has enough money to buy out her problems, etc. She is the definition of a Mary Sue, but it is a well written one. There is nothing wrong with her being a Mary Sue if the story is stronger for it.
Well said. This is what makes the show such a classic. Beth is a complex and flawed character. She has addictions, she is social awkward, she can obnoxious and arrogant. She thinks she can do it all on her own, but in the end its together with the help of her friends that she succeeds. @WiruSenpai I personally would not call Beth Harmon a Mary Sue. She is a well written character with an arc. Mary Sue's don't have arcs. They are perfect.
"The little guys, they aren't that important right?" They can actually be the MOST important in the late game of chess. If a pawn makes it all the way across the board, it can be traded for any piece you have lost so far in the game. Right after Cass asks if they aren't important, Harmon gets her pawn across the board and trades it for her queen. Giving her a much stronger board position. She traded one of her weakest pieces, for her strongest one.
Pawns can be traded in for any piece, not only for a piece you lost. It's possible for example to have two Queens of the same color on the board (which almost always spells doom for the Black player)
35:03 "And the little guys, those aren't that important, right?" 1 second later one of the little guys transforms to the most powerful piece of the board
I was a crying mess when all the guys called her in Russia to help her beat Borgov and then kept crying when she won and the guys found out and she played at the park. So much crying in the final episode.
In the 1970's when Bobby Fisher was playing Boris Spassky, I recall watching it on public television with them moving cardboard pieces on a board, just like in the show.
At the end, when Beth was dressed as the White Queen, did you notice how the politicians tried to make her a pawn? But, a queen moves where she wants and does what she wants. Beth is nobody's pawn. One other thing, when she says she wants to get out and walk, did you notice that at first, she's walking under a gridwork pergola that looks a lot like the squares on a chess board? Then she walks out from under it and into the world, on her own terms. Cool ending.
I have watched the last 30 minutes of this show at least a dozen times now. So many good moments that are mentioned by others in this thread, but my favorite - which gives me goosebumps every time - is the masterful build up to her seeing the pieces on the ceiling. It's something I didn't even knew I wanted to happen until just before the camera began to pan upwards, and.... yeah. This show was brilliant in every way.
The Relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Shaibel made me reflect on all the mentors that touched my life and helped me to find my purpose in life. You never know how helping someone can enrich your life as well as theirs. Awesome show, awesome reaction.
It's such a beautiful series, even when you don't know Chess. The acting, music, costumes and set dressing, the story arc. I love all of it. And yes I cried.
always thought what Mr Shaibel told young Beth was very poignant, "You have your gift, and you have what it costs you." Beth had to find her balance before her gift wasn't hampered by its cost. well done to both Anya Taylor Joy and Isla Johnston for bringing Beth Harmon to life. an amazing job by both.
Amazing right? The cool thing about the end is while she's walking through all the men she is dressed like the white queen from the game! Even to her hat. So cool. Didn't think I was going to cry this time when she walks into the basement and sees the collage with all her press clippings but I did. And the chess games are all real games. Most of them are famous games from real tournaments that they then used computer analysis to improve on them. Thanks so much for watching this
Beth's final move in the last chess game was actually a defensive move, placing her king on a square that ended all effective attacks. Her next move (or moves) is (are a forced) checkmate. Borgov could see that, so he resigned. I love this series. It got me back into chess. Thank you for sharing this.
Also, for chess insiders: during the games throughout the show, Beth opens with a variety of moves, usually the King's pawn. Only in the final game with Borgov does she open with the Queen's Gambit (moving the pawn in front of the Queen first).
Beth is such a complicated character. She is self-destructive and oftentimes toxic to those around her, but she's also strong-willed and and tough and doesn't let people walk all over her. You're rooting for her to succeed while at the same time yelling at the screen when she makes bad decision after bad decision. And when she finally wins in Russia it feels earned and so good, because you saw how much she has achieved and how far she's come from the traumatized girl on the bridge. Such a great series.
I think my favorite scene in the finale was when Beth won her game against Luchenko and he was so sweet to her. here he is, this legend of chess who had just been beaten by such a young chess master and he was so gracious and gave her such validation. I think that was part of what made her realize that she could do it without the drugs and gave her the confidence to beat Borgov. well that and the help of all her friends (loved seeing the twins again!). ❤
It isn't really about chess. It's about the hero's journey. Overcoming endless heartbreak, misogyny, difficult challenges and adversity, both external and internal, and somehow overcoming it all to complete the quest. This is why the show holds everyone's attention and why we all loved it. Glad you loved it too!!
It's so cool how so many people love this show, and we don't know much or anything about chess! Just goes to show how WELL done this series was! Your reaction is making me want to watch it again. It's really about the characters and the great acting by everyone in the show. It's about relationships and even though she's such an introvert and (I think) felt alone in the world - she really had a lot of people that really cared about her. Thanks for the great reaction, as usual. I also love how you don't judge - about the drug taking, drinking or her sleeping with another woman, etc. You have such a kind heart. ❤
There's a few scenes in films that will bring a lump to my throat, a couple that can make my eyes moist; but that final episode scene in the orphanage basement is the only thing in 20 years that had me literally sobbing. And I can't tell if it's Beth's breakdown, or the fact that the affection was only ever in one direction until it was too late...
You notice at the end she is dressed as the white queen, which is the most powerful piece on the board. A big shift from the start of the series when the orphanage burnt her clothes, which had her name embroidered on it and she was left with nothing. The drugs and alcohol eased her pain of not fitting in, which allowed her to focus. At the end she found her identity. She just loved the game and people loved her for it.
Writing this after episode 6. Did you get the chills when Beth opened the door and found Jolene smiling at her? I sure did! I did again, watching your reaction. This is such an awesome show! Thank you for making a video about it.
She didn't need drugs; she needed family. She first saw the board on the ceiling without drugs after she accepted her chess family. Her biological family really messed her up. Her father & grandparents gave up on her mom & abandoned Beth to mom's mental issues. The significance of the comment that her mother came from money and married into more money told us that the family could have cared for them, but chose not to, maybe because a family member with mental issues would have been embarrassing. She taught Beth to be alone and never trust men. In the end, she finally allowed the chess community, and Jolene, to become her family. Chess players care about chess, not politics, glamour, or gender. If you watch, Borgov always respected her. Also, I believe Cleo was a Soviet asset, and that Borgov had nothing to do with it. He'd never want to win that way.
Was her mother really crazy though? At the beginning little Beth sees a book that her mother has put out for burning, that as written by Alice Harmon, the mother and the subject was something super complicated, like mathematical patterns or something, which is obviously where Beth gets her chess abilities from. At that time women were given such little opportunity even in subjects they excelled at, so the mother's 'madness' could just have been depression at being kept on a leash by society. Did you notice throughout the series, all the 'respectable' women carrying bags of booze bottles - seemingly to cope with their lives that were almost pre-destined at birth?
@@camerachica73 Alice had a PhD in Math from Cornell. Even today, that's a big deal and huge for a woman of her era. We don't know much about her, but rewatch the scene near the beginning when her husband showed up. He was obviously concerned for her but frustrated by her ongoing behavior. Part of the problem could have been frustration with being a gifted woman in a male-dominated field, but I think there was definite mental illness. As far as "respectable" women carrying bags of booze, the only one I recall was Margaret. That was more a case of high school royalty discovering that it was all downhill from there (Al Bundy syndrome). Alma was a victim of falling into the "respectable" route. She married a mediocre man who couldn't appreciate the abilities she had. On the other hand, Annette Packer went to med school. Jolene was headed for law school. Cleo was a successful model and Soviet asset.
A Pawn usually takes 7 squares (episodes) to become a Queen. The death of Shiebel in the last and 7th episode was the moment when the Pawn was exchanged for the Queen. As per definition: a pawn is a person used by others for their own purposes. The death of Shiebel was this psychic transformation to relieve Beth from drug addiction, put the past behind her and become a Queen.
Absolutely loved this series and your reaction to it. A limited series really doesn't get much better than this. However, as a writer myself, I always find one thing I would have done differently (annoying habit sometimes). At the end, when she sits across from the old guy to play chess, I really wanted her to see Mr. Shaibel sitting across from her for a second before starting the game. It would have been a much more fitting end for me. It's just minor nitpick though. Anya Taylor-Joy is going to be a multiple Oscar winner some day. She is really young and has a long career ahead of her.
Fantastic reaction. Considering this is a show made so riveting with just facial expressions and the WAY they move the pieces - it was a ton of fun just to watch your face, in turn. Don't you wanna watch with Carly, now? I'd totally watch again with you two. And Beth's outfit at the end: the white QUEEN!
During the Great Depression in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the city park and rec head organized chess lessons & tournaments among the students, even in summer amidst the city's many parks. At school recesses they would take out their homemade boards and pieces, many made from empty film canisters with piece images taped on them, and play each other instead of sports. Marquette University hosted the Night of Knights tournament where the final was played in the football stadium. Live human chess board pieces moved on the field so all watching could follow the play. Chess got so popular in town that national and international tournaments were held there. It's one of my favorite stories I discovered about Milwaukee when I ran a museum there.
I absolutely LOVE this show. And I love the intensity of Chess Champions and the way they play the game. I love how Beth, when it came to chess, was like a savant. I have so much respect for people who have THAT level of excellence in their fields, whatever they might be. Great reaction, as usual. I love how invested YOU become in the characters, as though they're flesh and blood people.
So some historical context that is actually right in the book. Nona Gaprindashvili played male chess players her entire life. She simply wasn't quite as good as them so she didn't play the selective events like Beth was playing, but she did play (and sometimes win) against the top GMs. She was also the woman's chess world champion at the time so she absolutely is an amazing player. Woman have always been able to participate in chess on an equal footing. However they have never reached the highest levels so the woman sections where introduced to encourage more participation. Debates can be had as to why there is the gap but it exists. Netflix actually got sued for that statement that woman where not allowed to play men.
Cassie, thanks for watching one of my favorite mini series! I also just wanted to say that I was a KS backer of Slate, that automated flosser thingie that your brother-in-law(?) made. It's fantastic!
Queens Gambit was such an amazing example of great layered storytelling. I'm so glad you took the time to watch it. ----- Seeing the scrapbook wall for Beth was so precious, it really spoke to how he believed in her, even though she never spoke with Mr. Shaibel after she left the orphanage. ---- Hey CAssie I have another great show for you to check out, "His DArk materials" it's not as scary as it sounds, It's one of my favorites.
They had a former world chess champ help with the chess stuff. The games they played were often real games, sometimes famous ones. The actor was taught how to take pieces and how to move them and where to move them to.
I've watched this mini-series several times now. The first time, I was totally intrigued by Beth's character and the complexity of the chess game itself. There are other factors as well, but I just can't get enough of this.
A pawn is both a sacrificial piece and at times the most valuable piece you have as unlike any other piece if a pawn makes it to the other side of the board it can be replaced with any other piece such as a Queen or a bishop. In an end game having a 2nd Queen on the board or a replacement bishop can change the entire game around
28:02 Borgov hadn't finished his game. He stood up in the middle of his game to look at the final position of Beth's game. I think that Borgov has had a deep respect for Beth all along, and on some level understands why she lost her previous games against him. 28:47 The Russian's weren't practicing exactly. Luchenko's first move 'seemed' aggressive because he had already made it, and sealed it in an envelope when they adjourned the night before. So the Russians were analyzing the position, and made plans for any response Beth might have when they resumed. But, Beth understood this, and made an unorthodox move when they returned, which completely threw off any planning they had done, which is why Luchenko looked taken aback when she made it.
When I watched the first episode I be fed watched the rest, which is unlike me. This was a very well put together mini series except it was too short. I played chess as a kid but with no training and when I played experienced people I would get slaughtered. I stopped playing chess decades ago but accuracy or not this show rekindled my interest in chess. I play online everyday now. I am still unschooled but I win my fare share of games and I try and learn from the games I have lost by. I AM NOT a master but playing masters regularly but I still do not STUDY the game and it shows but I have fun. This movie was very moving and a great watch and I am glad you all also enjoyed it.
Beautiful reaction Cassie! I loved this show as much as you did. And I got emotional again about it seeing you getting emotional about it. Just a brilliant series!
Yes, reportedly, all the chess matches and all the moves were based on real matches and strategies and were rehearsed by the actors. Gary Kasperov and Bruce Pandolfini were chess consultants on the series. Allegedly, Kasperov was offered the roll of Borgov but declined, preferring to stay behind the camera.
She beat the world champion at a tournament in his home country, but it wasn't a championship game, so she did NOT become the world champion. This leave much room for a sequel.
Chess was so big back in the 60's and 70's. At 17 as a freshman in college I was invited to play with 9 others against a chess master(I had beaten a member of the small college chess championship team). I was the last guy left and when I resigned and shook his hand I realized I would never have the dedication to get as good as he was. I never played competitive chess again. This show was as good as it gets
We're all so glad you loved this series! Online chess stores were sold out for months after its release. The Soviets were so dominant at chess because they were determined to show that their society was superior in every way to a western one. They poured resources into the arts, gymnastics & the sciences. They were the first people to really treat chess players like athletes. And as such, were the dominant nation for most of the century. It was also a good pastime for Soviet families who maybe didn't have much money for other things.
During the Great Depression in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the city park and rec head organized chess lessons & tournaments among the students, even in summer amidst the city's many parks. At school recesses they would take out their homemade boards and pieces, many made from empty film canisters with piece images taped on them, and play each other instead of sports. Marquette University in hosted the Night of Knights tournament where the final was played in the football stadium. Live human chess board pieces moved on the field so all watching could follow the play. Chess got so popular in town that national and international tournaments were held there. It's one of my favorite stories I discovered about Milwaukee when I ran a museum there.
12:55 I love this scene sooo much! & as if it wasn't already clear how MASTERFUL this entire production was, in this scene, you see how the angles change. When the meeting starts Wheatley has the higher angle, making Beth small, but then it levels out & when she takes the upper hand, the angles slowly switch to making her bigger & Wheatley smaller. This whole series was GENIUS. We don't get this kind of dedication & well-thought out shows anymore.
That drinking water scene is perfect. That's just what you think you need to do when you drank too much. It doesen't help a lot, but you can't help to do it.
Don't underestimate the value of pawns. They can guard a lot of squares if you arrange them right, and if one advances to the other end of the board, it gets promoted to any other piece the player wants, except another king. So players almost always promote it to a queen.
This is such an amazing, excellent, wonderful series - so happy to (re) watch it with you! I loved that, when she confronted her 'dad', she was wearing her mom's house coat; no wonder he couldn't look at her.
You asked if people actually watch matches. Not really in the US, but they do in other countries. But, when I started playing, when Bobby Fisher won the world championship, New York PBS station broadcasted all the matches. I watched most of them and I was hooked on chess. It is an amazing game. No game is the same and the only limitation is what your mind can think of doing. I love it.
The Queen's Gambit is one of the BEST shows ever imo. Anya Taylor Joy's performance, the character of Beth and the supporting cast of characters, the writing, the pacing, the cinematography, all masterclass. Even the music. I've seen it twice through (three times now, if you count this reaction :) ). Looking forward to the fourth time :)
You’re shocked that a chess federation cares what she wears? Last week the prime ministers of Finland and New Zealand were asked if they met because they were young and looked similar.
If you notice the clothes she wears at her first game in Russia ,the black dress with what looks like a white pawn chess piece , and then after she wins and is walking among the old Russian players- she looks exactly like the white queen chess piece. I love the symbolism!
The Cost of Genius: Inside The Queen's Gambit | Netflix th-cam.com/video/00e9XX0dpi0/w-d-xo.html TRAINING for the Chess scenes was provided for the actors by Chess book writer BRUCE PANDOLFINI
@Popcorn In Bed - Fck... I watched this entire reaction series with you, just to finally watch your reaction to my two favorite lines in this show, in episode 7... And you completely missed/talked over BOTH of them.. I swear Im not exaggerating. I literally watched your reaction to all the other episodes, just waiting for that... Damn :S
I love that earlier on we see her memory of her mom telling her that she needed to learn how to be alone and that she’ll have no one but herself, but in the end, being alone was actually wrong. She needed community and a support system and she won in the end because she had people that loved and cared for her. No man is an island. I love that it comes full circle.
The wardrobe alone was gorgeous and I honestly don't say that very often. I think the last time I said that was for JLo's film the Cell and Downton Abbey both of which I find myself in awe over as far as the look or wardrobe choices are concerned.
I like the theory that Cleo works for the Russians, apart from ruining her chances in Paris she's the only one Beth told about Towns and then he gets his visa "to be a distraction".
When Beth lost to Borgov again in Paris and it was clear to him that she was playing sloppily I almost wanted to hear him say: "You were better in Mexico."
That's an interesting theory, but I think Townes wound up being the exact support she needed under all of that stress. Plus he got her chess friends to rally and help her.
@@Diamond_Skies yes, he did all that, but the Russians still got him there thinking he would be a distraction after Beth telling Cleo she was in love with him. The Russians did not anticipate that the Americans would start working together.
@@jabecker21 I guess I missed the part where it's stated that Townes was given a visa by the Russians instead of the Americans? I need to re-watch this at some point; I'm operating on my first viewing when it premiered plus this reaction.
i wasn't watching reaction videos until I did a marathon of "Firefly" reactions, including all of yours. I decided to watch more of your videos and I was not at all disappointed with these. Bravo.
Hi, This isn’t important but … the band playing that is on the TV is “Shocking Blue.” Their big hit was called “Venus” from 1969. A good song; check it out.
The final chess game with Borgov was designed move by move by former world chess champion Gary Kasparov for the show. The first half of the game (until Borgov adjourns) was based on a famous championship game from the 1930's, but after the adjournment, Kasparov re-designed it so that it climaxed with a series of symbolic moves: Beth sacrifices her queen, then a few moves later, uses her pawn to acquire a new queen. A pawn (the lowest piece on the board) becomes a queen, and the old queen is replaced by a new queen -- mirroring Beth's journey from the orphanage to champion, and her struggle to overcome her addiction by discovering her true self.
Wow. I'm so impressed they and Mr Kasporov did that for the chess players in the audience of the show. What love.
I'd say she discovered she had a real family, from Mr. Shaibel to Jolene to her chess family. Even her nemesis became Uncle Borgie in the end.
Almost completely correct. The game was from Ivanchuk vs. Wolff (1993) at the Biel International not the 1930s where Kasparov improved on the actual game with Ne6!!. The actual game ended in a draw. Agadmator (a TH-camr who does chess analysis) actually analyzed the full game (along with several other games like the game with Harry Beltik) from the Netflix series and mentions the actual game and where it deviates.
I truly hope this fine reactor lady reads your awesome comment.
And the final scene where she is literally dressed like the White Queen.
Most moving moment was Beth mourning the death of her chess mentor.
I've seen this show at least 5 times in full, and this scene gets me every time. I cried again during this reaction.
@Red Viper - thank you for mentioning that, I was thinking the same thing!
I think the scene with Beth going back to Methuen was the most impactful of the whole series. First of all, thank you Jolene for showing up at just the right time and telling Beth about Mr. Schaibel. It got Beth thinking about someone else and got her out of Self Pity City. She was really on a bad downward spiral before Jolene showed up. Going back to Methuen and seeing how Mr. Schaibel had saved every little notice about Beth let her know he had followed her career every step of the way almost like a proud papa and it finally dawned on her that he actually cared about her. Given that Beth never really had any adult males to be a real father to her, this came as quite a surprise because she had basically forgotten about Schaibel, never paid the money she owed him, never went back to Methuen and thanked him for teaching her about chess. And seeing his board hit her like a ton of bricks. When the dam finally burst in Jolene's car, those were painful tears of regret flooding out of Beth. She really wanted to thank Mr. Schaibel and now it was too late.
Finally, I would like to note that it was Carlos Rafael Rivera's haunting musical score that also added so much emotion to this scene. The name of this particular piece is Turning Point which is fitting. This scene was the turning point for Beth that got her back on the right track.
When you think about it, Mr. Schaibel really helped save Beth twice. When he first taught her about chess, he helped her learn to focus critical thinking skills and to realize she had a gift that would really take her places and could get her a much better life beyond that dreary orphanage. When she saw his board years later it helped her to refocus on her gift that she had been throwing away and to appreciate what he had given her.
how about the fact that she never reached out to him in over a decade except to ask for money that she never repaid - how do people overlook the fact that she used and discarded everyone in her life up until the end of the series
This watch along is the third time i've seen this show, and 3/3 times I've cried at that basement scene.
He was just a 1700 tho lol
Cassie, did you notice Beth's outfit in the final scene? Her costume was designed to show that she has now become the Queen.
Yes! The white hat and coat are so perfect!
The White Queen involved in The queens gambit sequence.
She was the pawn that reached its destination and became Queen.
Def looked like a fancy window display.
@@guyharrison1022 There were other nods in her costumes to chess (a lot of black & white or two-toned dresses, checkered prints like her pajamas and the windowpane checked coat, etc.).
"Why are they looking at her like that?" in Benny's place. That's another reason this series is great. There's so many red herrings that could (possibly) lead down the tragic path you're expecting.
A small girl alone with Mr Shaibel in his basement. Alma being in a position to take control and screw her over financially. The three guys looking hungrily at Beth while Benny suggests a "simultaneous".
They're all obvious avenues in a possible tragedy flick.... and then they don't happen. It's another great feature of this series.
You mentioned it too, but I love so much that they didn't make the Russian players into super evil villainous antagonists, but rather just a bunch of normal guys who treated her with respect.
Also I read somewhere that Luchenko (the crazy haired older guy) is analogous to legendary chess player Mikhail Tal, who was not only a great chess player but also a lovely person.
They could have. At the time the Soviet players would quickly ask for draws when playing each other, but then play long drawn game against other. Similar to what happen in Mexico City. Where Beth played a long drawned out game vs the young Soviet player. Only to later lose.
The irony is the actor playing Luchenko is Marcus Loges, a producer attached to a variety of shows and movies including V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas and Senses8
I lived with an addict. The "doing better" section where she was redecorating was actually part of her relapse. She was obsessing, spending a lot of money, excusing her isolation, and controlling her physical space when her life felt out of control. Once that project was over, she had to exist with herself and her feelings, which had always been masked with substances.
I found the outcome to be terribly expected and phenomenally well portrayed.
Was the relationship with the mother a good one? Or was it toxic? I couldn't quite tell if that was the root of her problem or not.
@@ct6852 You make it sound like there was one single cause to Beth's struggles.
Beth's a savant. Highly intelligent, with an incredible memory, but stunted social skills.
She witnessed her birth father reject her, followed by her mother killing herself and trying to take Beth with her. Because of her incredible memory, she remembers these events in vivid detail.
She then goes to an orphanage, where they needlessly give her tranquillizers, to which she becomes addicted.
She's adopted by a married couple, but is adopted as an attempt to cure the wife's unaddressed depression. The husband leaves them shortly after, hurting both Beth and Alma. This is the second father figure to reject Beth.
Beth and Alma love each other dearly. But Alma self-medicates her depression with drinking, and doesn't parent Beth when Beth starts drinking as well. Alma both encourages Beth's gifts and enables her self-destructive behavior.
Just as Alma is starting to enjoy herself again, she's dumped by her new boyfriend and then dies. Her body is found by Beth. This is the second time Beth has witnessed the death of her mother figure. And again, she doesn't forget things.
Beth's problems come from struggling with the weight of her intelligence, mental health issues she inherited from her mother, an addictive personality, and trauma.
@@DrLipkin Yeah that definitely makes sense. Thanks for the recap. Only saw the latter four episodes. Didn't realize that was her adoptive mother that died in the hotel room.
@@DrLipkin Very good recap of the whole character arc.
When I started recovery, we called that the "pink haze". It doesn't last forever and the crash can be tough. Having a support system is really important to preventing a relapse.
I teared up, when Beth saw the photos that Mr. Shaibel had up on the wall. He was proud of her, as if she was his daughter. I like to think that she also thought of him as a father, as he was strict with her, and pushed her along in her game, and had her go beyond her abilities, when he contacted the Chess Club teacher. He was proud of her, yet never told her what he really thought of her, except for one time.
@jazzman707 - when young Beth tentatively asks Mr. Schaibel "am I good enough yet?" She really had no idea just how good she was. Such a stark contrast to the arrogance Beth would show later on when she started winning tournaments.
So many moments in one episode!
- finding out that Mr Shaibel was following her whole career (my fav moment)
- all of her friends coming together to help her
- the old Russian player being so sweet
- winning, and Borgov giving her a hug
i never cried so hard at the Mr Shaibel part, just broke me 😭
You don’t think about it as you’re watching the episodes after she moves on, but it’s obvious that he would.🤷♂️ it doesn’t make it any less moving. It was probably intentional. Make us “forget” about this awesome character, then RAM it back home.
I also loved seeing Beth turn around and finding Towns in the crowd, taking a final shot... and the elderly men swarming Beth at the park. ♥
Seven squares for a pawn to become a queen, seven episodes, she has become the white queen at the end. Brilliant series. Excellent review and commentary.
I'm sorry. It's actually six moves and can be done in five.
@@jkhoover Correct. Five or six moves, but still seven squares including the start point and the final square. Check and Mate!
@@Jay_Sullivan Explain what you mean please. I do not understand.
@@Jay_Sullivan I said a pawn has to move over seven squares to become queen-the one it starts on, the one it ends on and the five squares between those two places. In the first episode Beth is an absolute pawn stuck in an orphanage with no control of her destiny. With each episode she moves a bit further away from that starting point, getting stronger but also facing more dangers. Finally in the seventh and last episode she's overcome the obstacles and becomes the triumphant queen casually strolling through Moscow in her regal outfit, adored by all. Jon Kane Hoover said it's five or six moves, which is correct, but I did not say moves, I said squares. Jon misread or misunderstood as it appears you have, so in keeping with the spirit of the show, and not at all in anger, I again call Check and Mate.
@@Jay_Sullivan I'm sorry if you've never seen a chessboard or played the game. I'm especially sorry if you don't understand terms like literal, allegory, metaphor, analogy and such. I suggest you re-read this thread from the beginning and try to comprehend the meaning in all of the statements. Then lay your king down.
Anya's portrayal of Beth Harmon is compelling because she's a layered character, with a very nuanced backstory. She isn't a Mary Sue like so many protagonists these days, with flaws and insecurities that balance out her amazing talents, and her life is depicted as tragedy and success in equal measure.
I didn't see all of it. Was there a love story throughout any of the show? Or it wasn't really about that?
Sorry to break it to you, but she is a Mary Sue. She becomes an alcoholic and a drug addict, never suffered any consequences, somehow always has enough money to buy out her problems, etc. She is the definition of a Mary Sue, but it is a well written one. There is nothing wrong with her being a Mary Sue if the story is stronger for it.
Well said. This is what makes the show such a classic. Beth is a complex and flawed character. She has addictions, she is social awkward, she can obnoxious and arrogant. She thinks she can do it all on her own, but in the end its together with the help of her friends that she succeeds. @WiruSenpai I personally would not call Beth Harmon a Mary Sue. She is a well written character with an arc. Mary Sue's don't have arcs. They are perfect.
@republicoftexas3261, actually it is a love story. Love for the game.
One of the better shows of the past few years, it really had it all.
yes indeed
"The little guys, they aren't that important right?"
They can actually be the MOST important in the late game of chess. If a pawn makes it all the way across the board, it can be traded for any piece you have lost so far in the game. Right after Cass asks if they aren't important, Harmon gets her pawn across the board and trades it for her queen. Giving her a much stronger board position. She traded one of her weakest pieces, for her strongest one.
Pawns can be traded in for any piece, not only for a piece you lost. It's possible for example to have two Queens of the same color on the board (which almost always spells doom for the Black player)
Every move in every game depicted was heavily inspired by some of the best games of all time and designed by grandmasters
35:03 "And the little guys, those aren't that important, right?"
1 second later one of the little guys transforms to the most powerful piece of the board
I was a crying mess when all the guys called her in Russia to help her beat Borgov and then kept crying when she won and the guys found out and she played at the park. So much crying in the final episode.
I definitely had to grab my box of tissues a few times lol
Mir ging es genauso
In the 1970's when Bobby Fisher was playing Boris Spassky, I recall watching it on public television with them moving cardboard pieces on a board, just like in the show.
At the end, when Beth was dressed as the White Queen, did you notice how the politicians tried to make her a pawn? But, a queen moves where she wants and does what she wants. Beth is nobody's pawn. One other thing, when she says she wants to get out and walk, did you notice that at first, she's walking under a gridwork pergola that looks a lot like the squares on a chess board? Then she walks out from under it and into the world, on her own terms. Cool ending.
I have watched the last 30 minutes of this show at least a dozen times now. So many good moments that are mentioned by others in this thread, but my favorite - which gives me goosebumps every time - is the masterful build up to her seeing the pieces on the ceiling. It's something I didn't even knew I wanted to happen until just before the camera began to pan upwards, and.... yeah. This show was brilliant in every way.
The Relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Shaibel made me reflect on all the mentors that touched my life and helped me to find my purpose in life. You never know how helping someone can enrich your life as well as theirs. Awesome show, awesome reaction.
It's such a beautiful series, even when you don't know Chess. The acting, music, costumes and set dressing, the story arc. I love all of it. And yes I cried.
always thought what Mr Shaibel told young Beth was very poignant, "You have your gift, and you have what it costs you."
Beth had to find her balance before her gift wasn't hampered by its cost.
well done to both Anya Taylor Joy and Isla Johnston for bringing Beth Harmon to life. an amazing job by both.
Amazing right? The cool thing about the end is while she's walking through all the men she is dressed like the white queen from the game! Even to her hat. So cool. Didn't think I was going to cry this time when she walks into the basement and sees the collage with all her press clippings but I did. And the chess games are all real games. Most of them are famous games from real tournaments that they then used computer analysis to improve on them. Thanks so much for watching this
I cried when she saw Mr. Shibel's clippings of her. He was the only father figure she had. As a former orphan I can relate.
The last scene when, as the White Queen, she played chess with the elderly gentlemen in the park. - that was her tribute to Mr Schiebel.
The ending with Beth playing against the old men in the park was the cherry on top that made this show perfect.
Even better that the old man is Anatoly Karpov - Chess world champion himself
@@chessman7558 I was not aware of that -- now it's even better.
Beth's final move in the last chess game was actually a defensive move, placing her king on a square that ended all effective attacks. Her next move (or moves) is (are a forced) checkmate. Borgov could see that, so he resigned.
I love this series. It got me back into chess. Thank you for sharing this.
Also, for chess insiders: during the games throughout the show, Beth opens with a variety of moves, usually the King's pawn. Only in the final game with Borgov does she open with the Queen's Gambit (moving the pawn in front of the Queen first).
I knew the moment you started your reaction to The Queen's Gambit that you would love this show. I was so happy to rewatch with you.
There aren't too many shows like this I'd call "masterpiece," but this is one of them. Pitch perfect start to finish.
Beth is such a complicated character. She is self-destructive and oftentimes toxic to those around her, but she's also strong-willed and and tough and doesn't let people walk all over her. You're rooting for her to succeed while at the same time yelling at the screen when she makes bad decision after bad decision. And when she finally wins in Russia it feels earned and so good, because you saw how much she has achieved and how far she's come from the traumatized girl on the bridge. Such a great series.
I think my favorite scene in the finale was when Beth won her game against Luchenko and he was so sweet to her. here he is, this legend of chess who had just been beaten by such a young chess master and he was so gracious and gave her such validation. I think that was part of what made her realize that she could do it without the drugs and gave her the confidence to beat Borgov. well that and the help of all her friends (loved seeing the twins again!). ❤
Sharing this journey with you was so much fun. Your willingness to be open to the emotions of the story is lovely.
It isn't really about chess. It's about the hero's journey. Overcoming endless heartbreak, misogyny, difficult challenges and adversity, both external and internal, and somehow overcoming it all to complete the quest. This is why the show holds everyone's attention and why we all loved it.
Glad you loved it too!!
"You've been the best at what you do for so long, you don't even know what it is like for the rest of us."
Man, that sums it all up right there.
That series is an instant classic. Was so happy you enjoyed it as much as the rest of us!
It's so cool how so many people love this show, and we don't know much or anything about chess! Just goes to show how WELL done this series was! Your reaction is making me want to watch it again. It's really about the characters and the great acting by everyone in the show. It's about relationships and even though she's such an introvert and (I think) felt alone in the world - she really had a lot of people that really cared about her. Thanks for the great reaction, as usual. I also love how you don't judge - about the drug taking, drinking or her sleeping with another woman, etc. You have such a kind heart. ❤
There's a few scenes in films that will bring a lump to my throat, a couple that can make my eyes moist; but that final episode scene in the orphanage basement is the only thing in 20 years that had me literally sobbing. And I can't tell if it's Beth's breakdown, or the fact that the affection was only ever in one direction until it was too late...
Thank You, Cassie! You've given us a wonderful reaction to an amazingly brilliant series!
You notice at the end she is dressed as the white queen, which is the most powerful piece on the board. A big shift from the start of the series when the orphanage burnt her clothes, which had her name embroidered on it and she was left with nothing. The drugs and alcohol eased her pain of not fitting in, which allowed her to focus. At the end she found her identity. She just loved the game and people loved her for it.
Best and most succinct summation of the show. Thank you.
Writing this after episode 6. Did you get the chills when Beth opened the door and found Jolene smiling at her? I sure did!
I did again, watching your reaction. This is such an awesome show! Thank you for making a video about it.
She didn't need drugs; she needed family. She first saw the board on the ceiling without drugs after she accepted her chess family. Her biological family really messed her up. Her father & grandparents gave up on her mom & abandoned Beth to mom's mental issues. The significance of the comment that her mother came from money and married into more money told us that the family could have cared for them, but chose not to, maybe because a family member with mental issues would have been embarrassing. She taught Beth to be alone and never trust men. In the end, she finally allowed the chess community, and Jolene, to become her family. Chess players care about chess, not politics, glamour, or gender. If you watch, Borgov always respected her. Also, I believe Cleo was a Soviet asset, and that Borgov had nothing to do with it. He'd never want to win that way.
Was her mother really crazy though? At the beginning little Beth sees a book that her mother has put out for burning, that as written by Alice Harmon, the mother and the subject was something super complicated, like mathematical patterns or something, which is obviously where Beth gets her chess abilities from. At that time women were given such little opportunity even in subjects they excelled at, so the mother's 'madness' could just have been depression at being kept on a leash by society. Did you notice throughout the series, all the 'respectable' women carrying bags of booze bottles - seemingly to cope with their lives that were almost pre-destined at birth?
@@camerachica73 Alice had a PhD in Math from Cornell. Even today, that's a big deal and huge for a woman of her era. We don't know much about her, but rewatch the scene near the beginning when her husband showed up. He was obviously concerned for her but frustrated by her ongoing behavior. Part of the problem could have been frustration with being a gifted woman in a male-dominated field, but I think there was definite mental illness. As far as "respectable" women carrying bags of booze, the only one I recall was Margaret. That was more a case of high school royalty discovering that it was all downhill from there (Al Bundy syndrome). Alma was a victim of falling into the "respectable" route. She married a mediocre man who couldn't appreciate the abilities she had. On the other hand, Annette Packer went to med school. Jolene was headed for law school. Cleo was a successful model and Soviet asset.
I got so emotional towards the end.
"she doesn't need drugs" is why this was the BEST television show of 2020 :D Just perfection.
A Pawn usually takes 7 squares (episodes) to become a Queen. The death of Shiebel in the last and 7th episode was the moment when the Pawn was exchanged for the Queen. As per definition: a pawn is a person used by others for their own purposes. The death of Shiebel was this psychic transformation to relieve Beth from drug addiction, put the past behind her and become a Queen.
Watching your reactions to this show has just brought all the emotions and love back from me watching it for the first time. Love it so much.
Absolutely loved this series and your reaction to it. A limited series really doesn't get much better than this. However, as a writer myself, I always find one thing I would have done differently (annoying habit sometimes). At the end, when she sits across from the old guy to play chess, I really wanted her to see Mr. Shaibel sitting across from her for a second before starting the game. It would have been a much more fitting end for me. It's just minor nitpick though. Anya Taylor-Joy is going to be a multiple Oscar winner some day. She is really young and has a long career ahead of her.
Fantastic reaction. Considering this is a show made so riveting with just facial expressions and the WAY they move the pieces - it was a ton of fun just to watch your face, in turn. Don't you wanna watch with Carly, now? I'd totally watch again with you two. And Beth's outfit at the end: the white QUEEN!
During the Great Depression in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the city park and rec head organized chess lessons & tournaments among the students, even in summer amidst the city's many parks. At school recesses they would take out their homemade boards and pieces, many made from empty film canisters with piece images taped on them, and play each other instead of sports. Marquette University hosted the Night of Knights tournament where the final was played in the football stadium. Live human chess board pieces moved on the field so all watching could follow the play. Chess got so popular in town that national and international tournaments were held there. It's one of my favorite stories I discovered about Milwaukee when I ran a museum there.
I absolutely LOVE this show. And I love the intensity of Chess Champions and the way they play the game. I love how Beth, when it came to chess, was like a savant. I have so much respect for people who have THAT level of excellence in their fields, whatever they might be. Great reaction, as usual. I love how invested YOU become in the characters, as though they're flesh and blood people.
So some historical context that is actually right in the book. Nona Gaprindashvili played male chess players her entire life. She simply wasn't quite as good as them so she didn't play the selective events like Beth was playing, but she did play (and sometimes win) against the top GMs. She was also the woman's chess world champion at the time so she absolutely is an amazing player. Woman have always been able to participate in chess on an equal footing. However they have never reached the highest levels so the woman sections where introduced to encourage more participation. Debates can be had as to why there is the gap but it exists.
Netflix actually got sued for that statement that woman where not allowed to play men.
Cassie, thanks for watching one of my favorite mini series! I also just wanted to say that I was a KS backer of Slate, that automated flosser thingie that your brother-in-law(?) made. It's fantastic!
This series was so surprisingly good. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Queens Gambit was such an amazing example of great layered storytelling. I'm so glad you took the time to watch it. ----- Seeing the scrapbook wall for Beth was so precious, it really spoke to how he believed in her, even though she never spoke with Mr. Shaibel after she left the orphanage. ---- Hey CAssie I have another great show for you to check out, "His DArk materials" it's not as scary as it sounds, It's one of my favorites.
They had a former world chess champ help with the chess stuff. The games they played were often real games, sometimes famous ones. The actor was taught how to take pieces and how to move them and where to move them to.
The ending could not have been more perfect. The final shot in the park, always gets me.
So glad you could finish this exceptionally well done series.
Loved all of your reactions to the Queen's Gambit series!
Thoroughly enjoyed watching you watch that series. One of a handful of my all-time favourite shows.
I've watched this mini-series several times now. The first time, I was totally intrigued by Beth's character and the complexity of the chess game itself. There are other factors as well, but I just can't get enough of this.
A pawn is both a sacrificial piece and at times the most valuable piece you have as unlike any other piece if a pawn makes it to the other side of the board it can be replaced with any other piece such as a Queen or a bishop. In an end game having a 2nd Queen on the board or a replacement bishop can change the entire game around
Baby Yoda looking adorable there in the corner...just having the cutest, quietest existential crisis ever.
28:02 Borgov hadn't finished his game. He stood up in the middle of his game to look at the final position of Beth's game. I think that Borgov has had a deep respect for Beth all along, and on some level understands why she lost her previous games against him. 28:47 The Russian's weren't practicing exactly. Luchenko's first move 'seemed' aggressive because he had already made it, and sealed it in an envelope when they adjourned the night before. So the Russians were analyzing the position, and made plans for any response Beth might have when they resumed. But, Beth understood this, and made an unorthodox move when they returned, which completely threw off any planning they had done, which is why Luchenko looked taken aback when she made it.
A series this good doesn't come along very often. Last one I can remember being this captivating was "The Newsroom".
She had specific chess moves to make. One of the series advisor's was former World Champion Grand Master Garry Kasparov.
When I watched the first episode I be fed watched the rest, which is unlike me. This was a very well put together mini series except it was too short. I played chess as a kid but with no training and when I played experienced people I would get slaughtered. I stopped playing chess decades ago but accuracy or not this show rekindled my interest in chess. I play online everyday now. I am still unschooled but I win my fare share of games and I try and learn from the games I have lost by. I AM NOT a master but playing masters regularly but I still do not STUDY the game and it shows but I have fun. This movie was very moving and a great watch and I am glad you all also enjoyed it.
Beautiful reaction Cassie! I loved this show as much as you did. And I got emotional again about it seeing you getting emotional about it. Just a brilliant series!
So nice to have an incredibly well-written, well-acted, well-designed show that makes you FEEL GOOD!! Love Beth Harmon and her friends!
I love how the background décor is starting to change with movie memorabilia :)
Yes, reportedly, all the chess matches and all the moves were based on real matches and strategies and were rehearsed by the actors. Gary Kasperov and Bruce Pandolfini were chess consultants on the series. Allegedly, Kasperov was offered the roll of Borgov but declined, preferring to stay behind the camera.
She beat the world champion at a tournament in his home country, but it wasn't a championship game, so she did NOT become the world champion. This leave much room for a sequel.
Nah, there's not gonna be a sequel :)
I'm so glad you loved this programme as much as I did! I can't even work out why I loved it so much but it was wonderful in every way.
This was my favorite show of 2020. Absolutely loved it
Chess was so big back in the 60's and 70's. At 17 as a freshman in college I was invited to play with 9 others against a chess master(I had beaten a member of the small college chess championship team). I was the last guy left and when I resigned and shook his hand I realized I would never have the dedication to get as good as he was. I never played competitive chess again. This show was as good as it gets
We're all so glad you loved this series! Online chess stores were sold out for months after its release.
The Soviets were so dominant at chess because they were determined to show that their society was superior in every way to a western one. They poured resources into the arts, gymnastics & the sciences.
They were the first people to really treat chess players like athletes. And as such, were the dominant nation for most of the century. It was also a good pastime for Soviet families who maybe didn't have much money for other things.
During the Great Depression in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the city park and rec head organized chess lessons & tournaments among the students, even in summer amidst the city's many parks. At school recesses they would take out their homemade boards and pieces, many made from empty film canisters with piece images taped on them, and play each other instead of sports. Marquette University in hosted the Night of Knights tournament where the final was played in the football stadium. Live human chess board pieces moved on the field so all watching could follow the play. Chess got so popular in town that national and international tournaments were held there. It's one of my favorite stories I discovered about Milwaukee when I ran a museum there.
Well. The Russians just love chess.
@@joelwillems4081 That's awesome! Thank you for that bit of Milwaukee history. 🙂
I watched this 4 times over the last couple years......its Soooo good it doesnt get old
the end is amazing, down to back up, inspiration and best friend are there for her just broked the shell in my hearth 🥰
12:55 I love this scene sooo much! & as if it wasn't already clear how MASTERFUL this entire production was, in this scene, you see how the angles change.
When the meeting starts Wheatley has the higher angle, making Beth small, but then it levels out & when she takes the upper hand, the angles slowly switch to making her bigger & Wheatley smaller.
This whole series was GENIUS. We don't get this kind of dedication & well-thought out shows anymore.
That drinking water scene is perfect. That's just what you think you need to do when you drank too much. It doesen't help a lot, but you can't help to do it.
Still trying to figure out if a lot of water is good for acid reflux. Always do it. Can't tell if it helps.
Don't underestimate the value of pawns.
They can guard a lot of squares if you arrange them right, and if one advances to the other end of the board, it gets promoted to any other piece the player wants, except another king. So players almost always promote it to a queen.
those little guys are very important for blocking and if you cross the board with it you can trade your lost pieces with it
This is such an amazing, excellent, wonderful series - so happy to (re) watch it with you!
I loved that, when she confronted her 'dad', she was wearing her mom's house coat; no wonder he couldn't look at her.
You asked if people actually watch matches. Not really in the US, but they do in other countries. But, when I started playing, when Bobby Fisher won the world championship, New York PBS station broadcasted all the matches. I watched most of them and I was hooked on chess. It is an amazing game. No game is the same and the only limitation is what your mind can think of doing. I love it.
SO glad that you watched this so that I could relive its glory along with ya as well..such a good show, and glad you loved it as well
The Queen's Gambit is one of the BEST shows ever imo. Anya Taylor Joy's performance, the character of Beth and the supporting cast of characters, the writing, the pacing, the cinematography, all masterclass. Even the music. I've seen it twice through (three times now, if you count this reaction :) ). Looking forward to the fourth time :)
One of the best shows I've seen in years... and yes, had me emotional too
never did I think that I would ever enjoy or even watch something like this but what a show loved it. thanks
You’re shocked that a chess federation cares what she wears? Last week the prime ministers of Finland and New Zealand were asked if they met because they were young and looked similar.
If you notice the clothes she wears at her first game in Russia ,the black dress with what looks like a white pawn chess piece , and then after she wins and is walking among the old Russian players- she looks exactly like the white queen chess piece. I love the symbolism!
♥ Beth's outfits in this series! Like the lighting at the russian tournament. brilliant series!
The Cost of Genius: Inside The Queen's Gambit | Netflix
th-cam.com/video/00e9XX0dpi0/w-d-xo.html
TRAINING for the Chess scenes was provided for the actors by Chess book writer BRUCE PANDOLFINI
The actor playing Luchenko is actually one of the show’s producers: Marcus Loges
Moses Ingram who plays Jolene here, also plays Inquisitor Reva in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Mr. Tevis who wrote the novel also wrote the story. They made fairly few "improvements" in the source material he provided them.
@Popcorn In Bed - Fck... I watched this entire reaction series with you, just to finally watch your reaction to my two favorite lines in this show, in episode 7... And you completely missed/talked over BOTH of them.. I swear Im not exaggerating. I literally watched your reaction to all the other episodes, just waiting for that... Damn :S
I love that earlier on we see her memory of her mom telling her that she needed to learn how to be alone and that she’ll have no one but herself, but in the end, being alone was actually wrong. She needed community and a support system and she won in the end because she had people that loved and cared for her. No man is an island. I love that it comes full circle.
Queens gambit captures the pure love of chess like no other
The wardrobe alone was gorgeous and I honestly don't say that very often. I think the last time I said that was for JLo's film the Cell and Downton Abbey both of which I find myself in awe over as far as the look or wardrobe choices are concerned.
I like the theory that Cleo works for the Russians, apart from ruining her chances in Paris she's the only one Beth told about Towns and then he gets his visa "to be a distraction".
When Beth lost to Borgov again in Paris and it was clear to him that she was playing sloppily I almost wanted to hear him say:
"You were better in Mexico."
Yes, I agree she was working for the Russians.
That's an interesting theory, but I think Townes wound up being the exact support she needed under all of that stress. Plus he got her chess friends to rally and help her.
@@Diamond_Skies yes, he did all that, but the Russians still got him there thinking he would be a distraction after Beth telling Cleo she was in love with him. The Russians did not anticipate that the Americans would start working together.
@@jabecker21 I guess I missed the part where it's stated that Townes was given a visa by the Russians instead of the Americans? I need to re-watch this at some point; I'm operating on my first viewing when it premiered plus this reaction.
i wasn't watching reaction videos until I did a marathon of "Firefly" reactions, including all of yours. I decided to watch more of your videos and I was not at all disappointed with these. Bravo.
Hi,
This isn’t important but … the band playing that is on the TV is “Shocking Blue.”
Their big hit was called “Venus”
from 1969.
A good song; check it out.