This is pretty popular, so maybe most have already seen it. If not, I heartily recommend. It's about an orphan chess prodigy who rises to fame during the Cold War. Haven't read the book, but the series is one hell of a strong coming of age journey. I couldn't ask for much more from a main character.

In my opinion, it strikes a perfect balance between past and present. We can feel the weight of it, dragging her down. But not in a way that drags down the pace and excitement of chess battles, training sequences, and all the other little adventures along the way.

Dustin would probably like this cuz it's about chess. Or he'd think it was maudlin crap. Where is Dustin by the way???

Well a pawn can 'knock' a Queen over...

Like a breath of fresh air, I really loved it! Binged the whole series in 2 days.  One of the best things I have watched recently and I really didn't think I'd be saying that about a show about chess! It is so much more than that and I found the whole thing mesmerizing, the chess matches are played out brilliantly and in an exciting way and the characters throughout are thoroughly engaging. Beautiful cinematography, strong script, well acted. Dying for a game of chess.

Yep, I'll also throw this into the recommended category. Loved the main character (quite liked the supporting cast as well)

A pre-knowledge of chess isn't needed as you are guided through and as someone who knows nothing about chess, I never felt left out of the story.

I too came out of this really wanting to play a game of chess lol

I loved this series! Watched it in two nights. One of the best shows I've seen since Chernobyl. Admittedly, I don't watch much, but of those I have watched, this one is definitely up there.

The only thing I don't like about streaming series online is that you go from episode to episode without really reading any of the credits, so without looking things up, the creators and actors' names don't really stick with you. I did google Elizabeth Harmon's actress though because I absolutely loved her. Fantastic fit for the part. She could look very plain and absolutely gorgeous at the same time. One of my new favorite actors.

I saw episode 1. Have not continued yet but will.

IMO, it's solid  - with two logic holes.

SPOILER

1. CHESS ACUMEN

Yes, the visuals on the ceiling at night were compelling. They were also nonsense based on how the story was constructed. Beth knows ZERO about chess - not even how the pieces move, yet somehow she is seeing games played out on the ceiling. That is not prodigy. That is supernatural. It could have been easily fixed. Early on, the Janitor gives her a chess book to go away - he's tired of being peppered with questions. In her med-induced state she devours the knowledge - then start the chess board on the ceiling. I thought the way they handle it in the episode was sloppy at best.

2. WHERE'S THE ORPHAN?

They set up this orphanage that is purportedly pretty buttoned-up. Yet somehow Beth can disappear for hours on end WITHOUT ANY NOTICIING to go play chess with the Janitor.
In the first encounter as an example, she is sent down to clean the erasers by her teacher - and then - STAYS DOWN THERE FOREVER. Some orphanage. You can't have it both ways. A strict orphanage and - hey, our kid disappears for hours on end. They needed to set up a more plausible reason for her time down there.

I will continue on with it.

I thought the same thing on both accounts, considering how strict the Orphanage principal was.

Great film visual though, playing chess on the ceiling.

Quoted from LC I thought the same thing on both accounts, considering how strict the Orphanage principal was. Great film visual though, playing chess on the ceiling.

Yes. It was indeed

Okay - finished it.

Would recommend.

Much like the first episode, the last one had some real logic issues that could have been so easily fixed. Won't go into them because I don't want to be a SPOILER.

Well worth the view.

I loved how the show had (pretty much) no "bad" people, just flawed or less than great people.

Example - the orphanage could have been a truly awful and evil place just like, pure Dickensian. Instead, the headmistress generally wants the best for Beth but is simply misguided and old-fashioned.

Really fascinating, from a screenwriting perspective, how they made a series so compelling without resorting to having some big bad character to defeat.

Quoted from AlsoBen I loved how the show had (pretty much) no "bad" people, just flawed or less than great people. Example - the orphanage could have been a truly awful and evil place just like, pure Dickensian. Instead, the headmistress generally wants the best for Beth but is simply misguided and old-fashioned. Really fascinating, from a screenwriting perspective, how they made a series so compelling without resorting to having some big bad character to defeat.

Good point. Never thought of that till now and I've already watched it a bunch of times. I think this show is creeping into best of all time territory for me. Maybe not high on the list, but it's there somewhere.

I loved it, it was immensely satisfying. It also reignited my love for chess, I've gotten back into playing and watching tournaments and studying openings to better my ELO rating. One of my daughters is really into chess too, so it's great to have someone to practice with and mentor even while I'm getting better.

I finished it a while ago and liked it very much.

Having been exposed to drugs at an early age, coerced into taking them and learning to love chess bc of that etc is a bit of a stretch but it’s a visual and charming stretch.

And I read what you’re saying here - is the orphanage strict or what - all of these were on my mind as well. But yeah, quite enjoyed it, couldn’t put it down.

I’ve seen a bunch lately which would be a recommend from me: Ginny and Georgia, Laudermilk - never did a write up here and should