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"The Queen's Gambit" has become more than "a chess show." The seven-episode Netflix miniseries has captured the attention of audiences worldwide and was the #1 show in over 12 countries. It has introduced or re-ignited viewers' interest in the royal gamewhether you need to learnhow the pieces move or if you are already a grandmaster, "The Queen's Gambit" has something for everyone.

After watching the show many fans simply want more! Well, Chess.com has you covered with lessons, player profiles, chess terms, openings, and even the new Beth Harmon bots.Here is a collection of content that is directly related to this brilliant show:

For those of you who haven't seen the show yet, "The Queen's Gambit" was adapted from a 1983 novel written by Walter Tevis. It is a story set in the Cold War-era and is a coming-of-age story that explores the true cost of genius: that of Beth Harmon, a highly-talented female chess player. Here is the Netflix description of the show:

Abandoned and entrusted to a Kentucky orphanage, Beth (played by Isla Johnston in her early years but mostly byAnya Taylor-Joy) 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 fueled by a cocktail of narcotics and obsession, she transforms into an impressively skilled and glamorous outcast while determined to conquer the traditional boundaries established in the male-dominated world of competitive chess.

The series is written and directed by Academy Award nominee Scott Frank (Minority Report, Logan, Godless) and executive produced by Frank, William Horberg (The Talented Mr. Ripley), and Allan Scott (Dont Look Now, The Preachers Wife), who also co-created the series.

You can read Chess.com's interview with Scott Frank (the writer/director/executive producer of "The Queen's Gambit") here. If you would like to read about the "real-life" Beth Harmon (or at least the chess world's closest equivalent) then this article by FM AndreyTerekhovabout Vera Menchik is a great place to start.

If you have already seen the show, here is a fantastic video review byWGM Jennifer Shahade, Chess.com's esports producer Aran Graham, and Chess.com's Chief Chess OfficerIM Danny Rensch.

You can now play against a virtual Beth Harmon at different ages and stages of her chess career. From young Beth first learning to play, all the way to her taking on the worlds top grandmasters, you can now face off against this powerful female chess player on Chess.com.

You can start by playing Beth (age 8)and then test your abilities against the stronger beth bots!

As we learned in Chess.com's News Director Peter Doggers' interview with Scott Frank, chess is done right in "The Queen's Gambit". They had the legendary world champion GM Garry Kasparov and the famous chess instructor NM Bruce Pandolfini on set to help with all of the chess scenes. They showed the actors how to move pieces properly, how to hit the clock, and also helped with many of the chess references used in the show. Many of these games are real games played by real players.

Here is an excellent lesson series by Chess.com's Jeremy Kane containing many positions from the show.If you'd like to dig even deeper, here is a video lesson by GM Simon Williams on Beth Harmon's top five moves.

Even though the chess in "The Queen's Gambit" was done extremely well, the keenest eyes have found a few mistakes. Chess.com's October 2020 Blog of the Month (written by Chess.com user Rocky64) found an almost imperceptible mistake during a specific scene.Chess.com's Director of Content NM Sam Copeland has a great blog on some of these slight errors here.

"The Queen's Gambit" mentions many, many chess terms. Here is a glossary of most of these chess terms:

Although Beth Harmon and the characters in "The Queen's Gambit" are fictional, there are many references to famous chess players. Here are some of the players mentioned in the show:

Jose Raul Capablanca is mentioned in the second episode where Beth asks the school librarian if there are any books about chessBeth even thumbs through one of his books. Capablanca was the third world champion (from 1921 through 1927) and is well-known for his legendary endgame skills and all-around positional proficiency. He didn't lose a single tournament game during an eight-year span from 1916-1924. He is widely accepted as one of the best players of all time.

Paul Morphy was the embodiment of romantic attacking chess and the strongest player of the entire 19th century. The American chess genius had a relatively short career, but he convincingly defeated the world's best players at the time and his Opera Game is considered to be one of the most famous games ever played.

GM Vasily Smyslov was the seventh world champion and still holds the record for most Chess Olympiad medals, with 17 total medals. He is remembered for his machine-like technical skill in the endgame.

GM Mikhail Botvinnik was the sixth world champion and held the title from 1948 through 1963 (with two one-one year exceptions in 1957 and 1960). Widely accepted as one of the strongest players of all time, he also coached three world champions (GMs Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Vladimir Kramnik).

Alexander Alekhine is mentioned by different characters throughout the series. In episode five, Benny Watts says that Beth "attacks like Alekhine"a player known for his vicious combinations in complex positions. Alekhine was the fourth world champion and he taught the chess world that rules and principles can be broken based on concrete analysis of the specific position.

GM Boris Spassky was the 10th world champion (from 1969-1972) and is a chess legend. He was a world championship candidate from 1956-1980 and became a worldwide celebrity during his 1972 World Championship match with the American GM Bobby Fischer.

GM Samuel "Sammy" Reshevsky was one of the greatest American players in history. He won the US Championships seven times and competed in the 1948 World Championship. His career is also remembered for its longevityhe defeated every world champion from Emanuel Lasker through Fischer.

GM Efim Bogoljubov was a world-class player who fought for the world championship twice against Alekhine. He was the firstFIDE world champion in 1928 and a two-time Soviet champion.

Nona Gaprindashvili became the Women's World Champion at the age of 20 and held the title for 16 years (from 1962-1978). She was the first woman to be awarded the grandmaster title in history. She is widely accepted as one of the strongest female chess players of all time.

There are many other famous chess players highlighted in "The Queen's Gambit" including Francois Philidor, Wilhelm Steinitz,Jacques Mieses, GM Reuben Fine, Ernst Grunfeld, GM Wolfgang Uhlmann, Hans Kmoch, Vasily Panov, GM Miguel Najdorf,Vladas Mikenas, GM Jonathan Penrose, and more.

It is not only chess terms and players that are highlighted in the serieschess openings also share the spotlight. Here is a list of some of the openings played or discussed by the characters, with links to Chess.com material.

The Queen's Gambit is the opening that is most referenced in the show, and the opening that the miniseries gets its name from. The opening is an excellent metaphor for Beth's lifesacrifices and hardships lead her to the top. The show displays both the Queen's Gambit Accepted and the Queen's Gambit Declined.

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 the starting position for the Queen's Gambit is reached:

Black accepts the gambit by capturing the c4-pawn with 2... dxc4, and can decline it by playing 2... e6. Here is a short introductory video lesson on the Queen's Gambit for newer players, and here isgreat video lesson series on the Queen's Gambit Declined for more advanced players by GM Gregory Kaidanov.

The Sicilian Defense is another heavily featured opening. Mr. Shaibel, the janitor, was the first to introduce this opening to Beth in the first episode. It is an aggressive opening that Beth adds to her opening repertoire immediately, and is still the most popular choice to meet 1.e4 today.

The Sicilian Defense is reached after the moves 1.e4 c5:

Although there are many variations of the Sicilian Defense in the show (Sicilian dragon, Levenfish attack, Rossolimo attack, Scheveningen, and more) the Najdorf variation is mentioned and displayed the most. Benny Watts plays the Najdorf against Beth in their first meeting and Beth plays it herself. It is a very difficult opening line to master because of its many subvariations and advanced themesa challenge that does not intimidate the eight-year-old Beth.

The Najdorf variation of the Sicilian Defense is reached after the moves 1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6:

Here is a short introductory video lesson on the Sicilian Defense.

The Caro-Kann Defense is another mainstream opening that appears in the miniseries. Beth's friend and opponent in the final round of the 1963 Kentucky State Championship, Harry Beltik, plays this defense against her, and Benny Watts is talking about this opening with a small crowd when Beth first meets him. Unlike the Sicilian Defense, the Caro-Kann is not aggressive and has a very solid reputation. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5:

Here is a short introductory video lesson on the Caro-Kann Defense and here is a more comprehensive video lesson series for advanced players on the Caro-Kann by GM Sam Shankland. Below you will find another introductory video by IM David Pruess:

This hypermodern opening for White was played by Beth against Mr. Ganz, Duncan High School's chess coach. Unlike the popular openings 1. e4 and 1. d4, the Reti opening does not begin the game with a pawn move. Instead, it develops a knight to control the center and begins with 1. Nf3:

You can learn more about the Reti opening hereat Chess.com/openings.

Shirley Munson, one of Mr. Ganz's students and treasurer of the chess club, asks Beth if she plays the King's Gambit. This dialogue occurs when both girls are on their way to Beth's simul in Duncan High School's chess club. The King's Gambit is a romantic attacking opening and was one of the most popular openings of the 19th century, though it has fallen out of favor in more recent times. It begins with moves 1. e4 e5 2.f4:

Here is an introductory video on the King's Gambit, and here is a more advanced video lesson series on the King's Gambit by GM Simon Williams.

Beth mentions that she played "the Marshall" when talking to her mother while playing in the US Open. She is referring to the Marshall Attack, an aggressive and advanced variation for Black in the very popular Ruy Lopez opening. After the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 the Ruy Lopez' starting position is reached:

The Marshall Attack occurs after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 0-0 8. c3 d5:

This advanced line is covered in great detail in a video lesson series by Chess.com's NM Jeremy Kane.

Do you need a refresher on what happened in the show? What about a breakdown of each episode by none other than IM Danny Rensch himself? We've got you covered!

Elizabeth "Beth" Harmon goes to an orphanage after her mother dies when she is only eight-years-old. She soon develops an obsession with chess after seeing the janitor, Mr. Shaibel, playing it in the basement. She also becomes addicted to tranquilizers that the staff gives to all of the orphans.

Here is Danny Rensch and chess enthusiast James Montemagno's breakdown of the first episode of "The Queen's Gambit."

Teenage Beth gets adopted and moves to a house in the suburbs. As she struggles to adapt to her new life, she devises a plan to enter a chess tournament.

Beth goes to Cincinnati to play in a tournament and her performance puts her in the limelight. Many tournaments and media appearances later, Beth sets her eyes on the US Open.

Beth takes Russian classes and widens her social circle. She goes to Mexico City to play in an invitational tournament where she faces Grandmaster Borgov for the first time. Beth's mother comes along to meet an old friend.

Beth is back in Kentucky and reconnects with an old opponent who offers to help her prepare for the US Championship.

After training with Benny Watts in New York, Beth goes to a tournament in Paris where she will face Borgov again. However, a crazy night sends Beth on a self-destructive streak.

Beth gets reunited with an old friend and comes to terms with her past and priorities. She goes to Russia to play the biggest match of her life.

We hope you enjoyed this article and the miniseries. Keep an eye on this article, as we will be expanding on it as more content is created! Let us know your favorite part of the show in the comments below.

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The Queen's Gambit On Netflix - All The Info - Chess.com

Reuters Videos

French authorities have suspended police officers accused of assaulting and racially abusing a Black man in Paris, after CCTV footage of the incident was released and caused an outcry. The music producer, who has identified himself as Michel, was beaten at the entrance to his studio. French President Emmanuel Macron was quoted by France's BFM TV as being "very shocked" by the CCTV and mobile phone images, which were obtained by the LoopSider news outlet and made headline news on French channels. The officers involved were suspended pending investigation at the interior minister's request. Michel told reporters he'd been walking in the street without a face mask, against French COVID-19 rules. When he saw a police car he went into his studio to avoid getting a fine. But the police followed him inside and arrested him, violently. The video purports to show them kicking and beating him, and he says they hurled racial abuse at him too. They then leave, and throw a tear gas canister into the studio. As anger grew, French soccer stars added to the chorus of condemnation. Kylian Mbappe tweeted that the video was "intolerable" and his fellow Les Bleus striker, Antoine Griezmann wrote: "My France is hurting." The alleged attack on Michel risks inflaming racial tension, and fuelling criticism of a draft law that would limit journalists' ability to show images of French police officers at work. The prime minister's office said on Thursday (November 26) it would set up an independent commission to propose a new draft of the legislation. Some "BlackLivesMatter" protests broke out in Paris in June, a month after the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in the United States. The movement resonates in France, in particular in deprived city suburbs, where rights groups say accusations of police brutality, often against people with immigrant backgrounds, remain largely unaddressed. And Paris police were already under fire this week after social media photos and videos showed officers hitting protesters as they cleared out an illegal migrants campsite in a central Paris square.

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Chess championship: A 10-year-old Filipino takes over global stage - Yahoo News

The Beasts Gambit? After YouTuber Jimmy MrBeast Donaldson revealed his addiction to chess, and his wish to play with other creators, esports org TSM offered the services of their chess grandmaster, Hikaru Nakamura and its looking like a collaboration is on the cards.

Chess has seen a big resurgence in popularity over the past year. After streamers like xQc and Forsen picked up the game early in 2020, chess.com established the Pogchamps: an amateur chess tournament. After the success of the first tournament, a second edition was completed in September.

Then Netflix released The Queens Gambit, a miniseries about a chess protege on a quest to conquer the chess world. The cultural impact has been insane. When the series was released, the International Chess Federation found that Google searches for people wanting to learn chess quadrupled.

MrBeast has already made his wish to get involved with esports abundantly clear. While chess isnt technically an esport, the two overlap a lot nowadays, and this latest development seems like a definite step in that direction.

After MrBeast tweeted out his desire to be matched up with chess content creators, TSM responded by offering the services of grandmaster, Hikaru.

Just started playing chess a few days ago, any creators want to play? Im addicted, MrBeast said.

MrBeast then talked about his fascination with Hikarus work, explaining how he watch[es] all his videos. TSM looked to seal the deal, and replied: Lets make it happen.

A chess matchup between MrBeast and Hikaru, or even some sort of tutorial, would be an exciting piece of prospective chess content. Hikaru seems keen to capitalize on the current hype around chess. After the success of the first two Pogchamps, Hikaru tweeted his desire for the third edition of PogChamps to be created.

Hes already had responses from big names, with Fnatic League coach YamatoCannon and StarCraft commentator Artosis willing to get involved.

If Hikarus bid to put together a new tournament comes to a head, perhaps well be seeing MrBeast lining up as one of the competitors.

Read more:
Mr Beast teases chess match with grandmaster Hikaru - Dexerto

Home Television CBS May Have to Cancel or Move The Talk in Ratings Chess...

CBS Daytime is about to get an overhaul of some kind. Things are not working out as planned.

The biggest problem isnt even The Talk, which has dropped in the ratings to 1.5 million viewers per day. The larger issue is whats happening at 9am, when the CBS-owned Drew Barrymore Show is dying against Live with Kelly and Ryan.

Barrymores show kicked out the Judge Judy spin off Hot Bench, which currently has no station in New York. Even so, Hot Bench is a ratings hit with 1.7 million viewers. It held its own against Ripa and Seacrest at 9am. Theres no doubt WCBS wants it back at 9am.

That would move Barrymore now suffering with just 600,000 viewers per morning to 2pm with other talk shows like Ellen DeGeneres and Kelly Clarkson. If Barrymore were in that slot, at least it could find a personality. Right now, the former movie actress is trying unsuccessfully to do topical shows for 9am and they dont work.

So what about The Talk? Without the originator, Sarah Gilbert, The Talk is not a pedestrian mix. Sharon Osbourne rules the roost. But its doing half the numbers of The View on ABC and has no news value like that show. It may indeed be time to let The Talk go.

Lets not forget it was invented to accommodate Julie Chen because she was married to network chief Les Moonves. But theyre gone. And if The Talk isnt getting the numbers of the beloved soap opera it killed, As the World Turns which left the air with around 2.6 million why keep it at all? At this point, Osbourne if she wanted to could start her own syndicated series and make more money.

Stay tuned

Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. He wrote the Intelligencer column for NY Magazine in the mid 90s, reporting on the OJ Simpson trial, as well as for the real Parade magazine (when it was owned by Conde Nast), and has written for the New York Observer, Details, Vogue, Spin, the New York Times, NY Post, Washington Post, and NY Daily News among many publications. He is the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

Read more here:
CBS May Have to Cancel or Move The Talk in Ratings Chess Game to Keep Drew Barrymore Alive in the Afternoon - Showbiz411

CHENNAI: War and chess collided on Monday night as two grandmasters whose countries have been in bloody conflict this year faced each other in the Skilling Open. Azerbaijan and Armenia may be observing a tense ceasefire right now but there was no peace on the board as Teimour Radjabov won a dramatic Champions Chess Tour clash with Levon Aronian. It was the first time the pair have played since war ravaged the region Radjabov and Aronian call home. In the weeks preceding the match, both players have spoken out publicly about the anguish war has caused them and their desire to make their countries proud. When the encounter ended Radjabov, representing Azerbaijan, immediately left his chair to celebrate. Aronian, meanwhile, looked devastated. The days first round-robin match-ups started with a shock win for Liem Quang Le who upset the US speed chess specialist Hikaru Nakamura. Meanwhile, World Champion Magnus Carlsen tested Aronians defence but couldnt break through as the game ended in a draw. Carlsen was riding high on the leaderboard but suffered a final game collapse to Russia's former world title challenger Sergey Karjakin. It left Carlsen's big rival, Anish Giri in the top spot on the leaderboard, a half-point clear overnight. Nakamura, Carlsen's other great rival, appeared out of sorts early on and in danger of leaving himself too much to do on Tuesday to stay in the tournament. But the American won a crucial final round game over Ian Nepomniactchi which pulled him up the leaderboard. He now will be confident of making the top-eight cut. The 16 players are fighting it out in a round-robin stage to make the quarter-finals. There are five rounds left on Tuesday before eight are eliminated.

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Chess: Radjabov beats Aronian in emotional clash - Times of India