The Queen’s Gambit Episode 3: Beth and Benny on loggerheads in chess

The Queen’s Gambit Episode 3: Beth Tastes her First Defeat

Run Time: 46 minutes

Episode opens with flashback to a young Beth and her mother enjoying a nice time together.

In the present time Beth is going international with her chess tournaments. Firstly, she registers in Cincinnati for a tournament.

Her popularity has already risen and the opponents seems scared playing her.

Her mother Alma is accompanying her and their bond is deepening with time.

At the tournament her friends suggest her to participate in US open and also playing in Russian tournament.

But they also state that Russian game is also on another level.

Beth is winning one tournament after another and the mother daughter duo is enjoying the trips immensely.

They also agree on a suitable commission for Alma for accompanying Beth everywhere.

A journalist interviews Beth about her life and her chess skills.

Beth says that chess is very predictable and she is not intimidated in playing men.

However, when the article comes out, most of it is about Beth being a girl and she feels her abilities are being undermined because of her gender.

Back at home, Beth receives an invitation for a party at school.

She realizes there how different she feels from other girls, she leaves the party in between and steals bottle of beers on her way and later plays mind chess in her home.

Beth’s Heart Gets Broken

In 1966 in Las Vegas, she encounters Townes, an old friend whom she has played in one of her first tournaments.

He offers to interviews her for the local paper.

In the hotel room Beth tells him that she is learning Russian to play in Russian tournaments.

The pair has a moment but is broken by the entry of Townes roommate, slightly hinting at Townes being Gay.

Beth meets another chess genius Benny Watts (Thomas Brodie-Sangster).

She tells her mother although she admires Benny as a chess player, the only player she is afraid of is Russian chess grandmaster, Borgov.

However, at the end of the tournament Beth’s arrogance over her victories is shattered when after an intense play she loses to Benny who was able to read all her chess moves beforehand.

Benny also advises her not to play only by the book rules but also to play by mind. She decides to follow the advice.