Set in 1950s America, “The Queen’s Gambit” follows Beth Harmon, an orphan who has an affinity for chess and an addiction to tranquilizers. The first episode begins with Beth suddenly becoming an orphan after her mother is killed in an automobile accident. She is then sent to an orphanage where she is given “vitamins” to calm her disposition. These “vitamins” are actually tranquilizers and Beth is advised to save them by another orphan and take them at night so she can experience the high of the pills. During her time at the orphanage, Beth shows very high intelligence and is able to slip away to the basement where she befriends the janitor who teaches her how to play chess. Becoming an expert in the game very quickly, Beth is invited to play against the local high school team where she beats every player with ease.

“The Queen’s Gambit” is a captivating miniseries available on Netflix with only seven episodes airing at about an hour in length. The show has become a hit among critics and viewers alike with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.