I'm a keen follower online of chess and have been avidly following the Grandmasters with the help of the excellent YouTube channels dedicated to it for years. So the development of this season was one to open my eyes to look out for.

Firstly, let's get it out the way. This series is fantasy and bears little resemblance to reality in chess, although there have been fascinating individuals who have risen to the top against all odds. Also anyone who knows chess knows that most games at the top are draws (almost absent here) and most often over a series of games and not one offs. I guess liberties needed to be taken.

This series takes our lead lady Beth from destitution to the top of the world in chess, but really it melds it with 1960s growing pains of sex, drugs and alcohol. In truth it's the drugs and drink addiction part that is the crux of the story, chess can feel perfunctory.

The series is well acted, with a generally strong assemble, and it looks sassy, sexy, beautifully retro and hip. The story is fine too albeit mostly predictable, following a Rocky style of idea. The janitor who taught Beth chess feels like a nod to Mr Miyagi.

However it's letdown by some silliness. Various characters never convinced, and really in the chess world its never been glamorous (look at Tal, Fisher, Karpov or Kasparov). Her ability to be almost invincible doesn't help credibility.

The world of chess is often full of characters, never really fashionable. Beth here is an oddity with her very photogenic looks. Maybe that's the point. A series that best fits the Netflix model.

Anyhow, it may not reflect the real world of chess but since when did the Karate Kid reflect reality perfectly too? No big deal. As long as this series brings in new people and especially women into chess, I can't complain. Maybe it could help more women to challenge to become Grandmasters.

Sassy and fun, even with all the dark moments. Give it a try.