The

QUEEN’S GAMBIT
Walter Tevis

In a 1950s orphanage, a young girl reveals an astonishing talent for chess

and begins an unlikely journey to stardom…
 The
QUEEN’S GAMBIT
Walter Tevis

In a 1950s orphanage, a young girl reveals an astonishing talent for chess

and begins an unlikely journey to stardom…
OVERVIEW
Written in 1983 by
Walter Tevis
(1928-1984)
 Bildungsroman

(German):
personal formation
Bildungsroman

(German): novel
 Bildungsroman

A subgenre that focuses

on the psychological
and moral growth of the
protagonist from
childhood to adulthood
 14 chapters Screen adapted by
NYT Bestseller Netflix in 2020
Summary
Sent to an orphanage at age 9, Beth develops an uncanny knack for chess - and
a growing dependence on the green tranquilizers given to the children.

After being adopted, she continues to develop her exceptional chess skills. Beth
then participated in many competitions and beat other competitors easily until she
meet another chess prodigy, Benny Watts, she was frustrated as she was beaten
by him.

Having graduated from high school, Beth traveled to Mexico City, Still, Beth did
splendidly in the tournament until Vasily Borgov, the World Champion at the time,
forced her to resign. Already depressed, Beth returned to her room only to find
her foster mother already dead.
After some fluctuations in life, Beth somehow finds herself In the U.S.
Championship, once again encountering Benny Watts. But this time, she
managed to beat him.

After the tournament, Beth and Benny get on well with each other and they
become friend. Having told Watts about her refusal to a sponsor, he was
frustrated and refused to talk to her. Beth fell in deep depression. Luckily,
Jolene - an old friend of hers came in and gave wings to her dream of
travelling to Moscow with hope of one day becoming the World Champion
by helping and encouraging Beth financially and mentally.
Beth's trip to Moscow culminates as she faces her biggest chess challenge -
competing against the reigning world champion, Vasily Borgov.

With determination, strategic brilliance, and resilience, Beth manages to

outmaneuver Borgov in a thrilling game, securing a victory that cements her status
as a World Champion and a true force to be reckoned with in the world of chess.

Her triumph in Moscow not only signifies her ascent to the pinnacle of her chess
career but also serves as a powerful symbol of her personal growth and inner
strength.
FEELINGS
FE E L
INGS
Overall, The Queen’s Gambit is a good read that sheds light not only on chess
but also on the many aspects of society. It gave us another perspective on the
various nuances of life, the perspective of Elizabeth Harmon, a young
American woman in the 20th century. And even though there were trying times
and hardships, she still persevered and refused to give up.

Beside Beth, there are plenty of interesting characters like Jolene DeWitt, her
best friend from childhood whom she had always held dear; Alma Wheatley,
her adoptive mother who helped her greatly with her chess career; and Benny
Watts, the former U.S. Champion and also a love interest. These characters
are multi-faceted and are tantamount to the development of Beth’s
personality, but they can also be very entertaining at times.
12 - Võ Nguyên Khang
22 - Huỳnh Đông Nghi
26 - Đoàn Văn Quyết
29 - Huỳnh Ngọc Yên Thảo
30 - Huỳnh Phú Thịnh
33 - Nguyễn Dương Minh Tú