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The Queen's Gambit

The Queen's Gambit is a 2020 American coming-of-age period drama television miniseries based on Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Queen's Gambit is a 2020 American coming-of-age period drama television miniseries based on Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel of the same name. It follows fictional chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she rises in the chess world while struggling with addiction and emotional problems. Netflix released the series on October 23, 2020.

Premise

The series follows Beth Harmon, an orphan who becomes an elite chess player while dealing with drug and alcohol dependency and other emotional difficulties. The narrative spans her development from childhood into adulthood in the Cold War era.

Production and release

The miniseries was created by Scott Frank and Allan Scott, with Frank writing and directing. Netflix released it in October 2020.

Source material

The show is based on Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel, also titled The Queen's Gambit. The novel centers on the same fictional character, Beth Harmon.

Title meaning

The title refers to the chess opening 1.d4 d5 2.c4, known as the Queen’s Gambit. In chess, this opening is one of the oldest and remains widely played.

Key facts

  • The series is adapted from Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel.
  • Its central character is Beth Harmon, a fictional American chess prodigy.
  • The story is set from the mid-1950s into the 1960s.
  • Beth’s rise in competitive chess is intertwined with addiction and personal struggles.
  • The title refers to the chess opening known as the Queen’s Gambit.
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Canadian context

The series was widely streamed in Canada through Netflix and became a major international hit with strong interest among Canadian viewers, especially those interested in chess and prestige television.[1]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Queen's Gambit?
A 2020 Netflix limited miniseries about a fictional chess prodigy, Beth Harmon, and her rise in competitive chess.
Is The Queen's Gambit based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel of the same name.
Who plays Beth Harmon?
Anya Taylor-Joy portrays Beth Harmon in the miniseries.
When was the series released?
Netflix released it on October 23, 2020.
What does the title mean?
It refers to the chess opening that begins 1.d4 d5 2.c4.
What genre is it?
It is a coming-of-age period drama television miniseries.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Queen's_Gambit_(miniseries)
    Supports: Miniseries format, premise, creators, setting, release date, and title meaning.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Queen's_Gambit_(novel)
    Supports: 1983 novel by Walter Tevis and its relationship to the series.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen's_Gambit
    Supports: Chess opening definition and moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beth_Harmon
    Supports: Beth Harmon as the fictional protagonist portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy.