The Queen's Gambit: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 172 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 172 Ratings

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The Queen's Gambit

Now Playing: The Queen's Gambit

Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere Date: October 23, 2020

Summary: The seven-episode series based on Walter Tevis's novel of the same name follows young orphan Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she grows up and battles addiction while seeking to become the best chess player in the world during the Cold War.

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E7. End Game
Air Date: October 23, 2020
tbd
S1:E6. Adjournment
Air Date: October 23, 2020
tbd
S1:E5. Fork
Air Date: October 23, 2020

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Malcolm Jones

Oct 26, 2020

It is Anya Taylor-Joy, playing Beth from the age of 13 to 22 in a seemingly effortless metamorphosis, who makes Frank’s film work, particularly in the way she beautifully articulates the inwardness, the fury, and the intelligence of Tevis’ creation. ... The drama that matters most is played out not on a board but on Beth’s face and in her body language, and in her heart. And thanks to the stunning collaborative skill of Scott Frank and Anya Taylor-Joy, there’s never any doubt about what that heart holds. Read full review

Allison Keene

Oct 20, 2020

With excellent pacing and a sure sense of itself out of the gate, The Queen’s Gambit is a work of art—riveting, radiant, and simply spellbinding. Like Beth, it triumphs through its devotion to a love of the game. Read full review

Dan Fienberg

Oct 20, 2020

Taylor-Joy's tour de force performance — one that deserves awards recognition over the months to come — is integral to the success of The Queen's Gambit, but it's far from the seven-episode saga's only asset. Boasting a novelistic, steady momentum, The Queen's Gambit works for many of the same reasons Netflix's The Crown works: It's smart, lavishly produced television for inquisitive grownups, even when it's very much operating within a genre prone to familiar rhythms. It's something to relish. Read full review

Richard Lawson

Oct 22, 2020

It flows swiftly and elegantly, recovering from a few stumbles with grace and aplomb. Its final conclusions have a striking power. Read full review

Robert Lloyd

Oct 23, 2020

It is very good — thoughtful, exciting, entertaining. Read full review

Danette Chavez

Oct 23, 2020

The Queen’s Gambit is actually aware that its protagonist can occasionally be a jerk. For all the assured direction and exotic locales—including a jaunt to Paris—Beth’s internal journey is the most captivating element of The Queen’s Gambit. The series may border on wish fulfillment at times, but at least it casts a spell. Read full review

The Telegraph Anita Singh

Oct 23, 2020

It is one of those expensive-looking period pieces that Netflix and Amazon money can do so well – swoon at the costumes and cars, purr with pleasure at the soundtrack. But the heroine at its centre is other-worldly to the point of annoyance. Read full review

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User Score

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8.5

User Reviews

radulle

Oct 25, 2020

A must watch chess themed fairy-tale with a strong cast, great story and fabulous atmosphere. Highly recommended to any chess fan.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

shoulderoforion

Oct 24, 2020

Wonderful. This show was so good from start to finish, a welcome distraction in this terrible autumn. I take no points off for the every so eye roll inducing dips into the unbelievable, including that unnecessary magic negro trope. This was excellent episodic television. Recommended.

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

Neanderguy

Oct 26, 2020

Absolutely the best written and acting EVER on Netflix. Should get every nomination possible for Gordon Globes and Enrmys. The sets, production, editing and direction excellent. Best ending possible. I didn’t want it to stop.

What is The Queen's Gambit about? Based on the novel by WalterAbsolutely the best written and acting EVER on Netflix. Should get every nomination possible for Gordon Globes and Enrmys. The sets, production, editing and direction excellent. Best ending possible. I didn’t want it to stop.

What is The Queen's Gambit about?

Based on the novel by Walter Tevis, this coming-of-age story explores the true cost of genius.

Abandoned and entrusted to a Kentucky orphanage in the late 1950s, a young Beth Harmon discovers an astonishing talent for chess while developing an addiction to tranquilizers provided by the state as a sedative for the children.

Haunted by her personal demons and fuelled by a cocktail of narcotics and obsession, Beth transforms into an impressively skilled and glamorous outcast while determined to conquer the traditional boundaries established in the male-dominated world of competitive chess.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

atorado

Nov 1, 2020

This one I liked a lot !!
Great story, wonderfully written and performed....finally a highly enjoyable miniseries without bloody violence or racial and LGBTQ conflict situations. A world of chess always dominated by men is taken by surprise to the highest level by the tactic plays of aThis one I liked a lot !!
Great story, wonderfully written and performed....finally a highly enjoyable miniseries without bloody violence or racial and LGBTQ conflict situations. A world of chess always dominated by men is taken by surprise to the highest level by the tactic plays of a talented female teenager.
This time Netflix got it big and did it great !!… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Rmiles801

Oct 27, 2020

Good show for sure, makes me want to play a game in chess of which I never really found to be too entertaining. That said, it does seem rushed at times for sure, I suppose that's what happens when it's only 7 episodes, could definitely use some more detail around certain things that didn'tGood show for sure, makes me want to play a game in chess of which I never really found to be too entertaining. That said, it does seem rushed at times for sure, I suppose that's what happens when it's only 7 episodes, could definitely use some more detail around certain things that didn't really make sense as well as more character building, but all in all it is definitely worth the watch.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

drlowdon

Mar 21, 2021

Based on the novel of the same name, Queen's Gambit follows the life of orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she struggles with addiction whilst attempting to rise to the top of the chess world.

I’ll admit that my knowledge of chess is fairly limited, but the show does a good job ofBased on the novel of the same name, Queen's Gambit follows the life of orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she struggles with addiction whilst attempting to rise to the top of the chess world.

I’ll admit that my knowledge of chess is fairly limited, but the show does a good job of explaining some of the intricacies without over doing it, and instead focuses on Beth’s journey and struggles.
The show is beautifully shot and full of great performances (Anya Taylor-Joy is phenomenal in the lead role) and I thoroughly enjoyed it from from start to finish.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HIM78

Nov 10, 2020

The only question that arises after watching this series is who in it was most insulted - the men or women who believe that marriage and family are important? Almost all the men here are worthless, weak and certainly not equal to the main character. At the same time, her personality is notThe only question that arises after watching this series is who in it was most insulted - the men or women who believe that marriage and family are important? Almost all the men here are worthless, weak and certainly not equal to the main character. At the same time, her personality is not revealed - just a character-function with sterile traits. All married women in the series are deeply unhappy - they are all abandoned by their traitorous husbands, and now they are forced to die in a traffic accident or from alcoholism. Most young girls are also empty and mediocre - they are only interested in men and clothes. What does this show teach? In fact, nothing, absolutely. Many chess games of the first series do not stand up to any criticism - supposedly professional players build the game worse than beginners. Key takeaway: This show is a complete disappointment with wasted time.… Expand

3 of 12 users found this helpful39

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Seasons & Episodes

79

Series Overview
Season 1

79
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E7. End Game
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E6. Adjournment
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E5. Fork
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- 7.4
  S1:E4. Middle Game
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- 8.3
  S1:E3. Doubled Pawns
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- 8.6
  S1:E2. Exchanges
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- 7.7
  S1:E1. Openings
  Air Date: October 23, 2020