At times slow moving drama since I don't know anything about chess or even its terminology but the series kept a sensible balance between the on screen chess matches and the human drama of watching an orphan overcoming all of life's disadvantages to reach the pinnacle of the chess world. That made it interesting. There's also another point made in this film. Not everyone has the genius that Beth Harmon clearly has no matter how hard they try. There are too many who are very good at the game but can't quite reach the apex of the sport even if they were to play for 10000 hours because they are not the geniuses that Harmon is. So instead at some stage chess becomes a hobby rather than a passion and they take on regular jobs (like the Beltik character becoming an assistant managers at a supermarket). The film suggests that knowing one's strengths and weaknesses is a valuable character trait. The acting is first rate by all players but the standout performance for me is Marielle Heller's role as Alma Wheatley. She plays the part to perfection as the sympathetic but ultimately tragic figure of Harmon's stepmother. I understand she's also directing movies but I hope to see more of her in more films. She strikes me as a protean actress who would be comfortable in any kind of part. Hopefully she ends up with an award for her role as Alma.