I honestly did not expect this series to blow up so much. From the trailer, I thought it was going to be an ordinary series that won't be that special but I'm so happy I was proven wrong.

The Queen's Gambit follows Beth Harmon, an orphan who learns and masters the game of chess during the 1960s but she slowly spirals into drug addiction and excessive drinking that harms her talent.

I've never been a fan of chess or even understood how to play it but regardless of my lack of interest in the game, I really enjoyed watching The Queen's Gambit. I loved how much the show revolved around the game itself. There weren't many subplots that hindered the pacing or made me lose interest which I felt was a great decision as it focused on what was necessary for the story and character. I'm amazed at what creator and director Scott Frank pulled off with this series. The writing was really good as I got a clear understanding of what Beth Harmon was like and made me root for her every step of the way. The side characters were also well developed and explored just enough to the point where we see what kind of people they are. The addiction aspect of Beth was handled in a subdued manner which I appreciated. The show could have taken a more over-the-top approach but Frank keeps everything realistic allowing it to feel more believable. The episodes are edited superbly. The series moves relatively quick and made me want to play the next episode as soon as the previous one ended.

All the acting in the show is fantastic. I've followed Anya Taylor-Joy ever since her debut in The Witch and I'm so happy she's gaining more recognition. She is absolutely amazing as Beth Harmon and is easily one of her best performances of her career. She truly embodies this character and conveys all her feelings brilliantly. The supporting cast such as Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Bill Camp, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Moses Ingram and the rest all do a fabulous job with their roles.

I'm really surprised by how much I enjoyed The Queen's Gambit. I do admit the story is predictable and it's told in a way we've seen multiple times but I cannot deny how well made and acted it is. I'm more interested in chess now than I ever will be and I have The Queen's Gambit to thank for that.