The seven-part Netflix series tells the story of Elizabeth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) between 1958 and 1968 who grows up in an orphanage after her mother’s passing. Through her troubled years, she discovers her love for chess after playing with the janitor, Mr Shaibel (Played by Bill Camp). From stealing the chess review from a local store to getting her first real chess board, we see it all through Harmon’s eyes.

She goes on to become a chess prodigy as she cannot stay away from the game. It all comes naturally to her, literally. From rehearsing moves in her head to seeing shadows of the pins on her ceiling, Beth’s intuitions are what take her forward. We see her build a luscious career while dealing with loss, heartbreak and drug use.

It’s a man’s world but Harmon rebels because well, she has almost magic-like abilities to win a game virtually against anybody. She is as unpredictable as her supposed moves and is often self-destructive to the point of exhaustion.

But who knew watching people make moves on a chessboard could be so dramatic? Though it’s hard to catch the chess-talk, watching characters play with swift grace brings us an insight into the world of chess-obsessed people.

We won’t necessarily learn too much about the game but will learn a lot about people who play it. It’s a twisted tale of arrogance and charisma. The show is not just about the game; it’s about experiences and resilience, too.

The show has been termed one of the ‘best on-screen adaptations of the game till date.’ The mini-series is slow and consuming in a great way. It gets to you like incense– mild but powerful. Watch it if you’re in the mood for some good quality storytelling.