The Queen’s Gambit

The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis (1983) I’ve only been frustrated by chess. I learned how to play it when I was younger, but I was never remotely good—and by now, I barely remember how the pieces move. So, I’m not a chess person—though I am in awe of the game. I came upon this book because I liked The Man Who Fell to Earth (1963) so much—but I was wary—after all, that was about a space alien, and this is about chess—what could they possibly have in common? Well, addiction, for one, which is something I relate to and like reading about. Of course, this book, like life, is about much more than chess—addiction, for example—but a lot of other stuff, too. It follows the life of a young woman, Beth, from her childhood in an orphanage (something about the fish sticks on Friday is more horrifying than anything—fish squares covered in sweet orange sauce). Then, discovering chess—to becoming a chess prodigy—growing up, the chess world, and fame. The most amazing thing about the book, for me, is that it really is heavily about chess—yet I was totally transfixed—as if I was watching each game unfold and understanding what was happening, game-wise, strategy-wise—even though I know close to nothing about the game. In a way, I felt like I was watching sports—I mean, as a sports fan—sports at their best. I tried to imagine writing about, say, football for someone who didn’t know football—I don’t think I could do it. Yet, Tevis pulled it off, here—totally engrossing and exciting, even. Also, a really good ending, neither tragic nor triumphant—more like real life, but also satisfying—feeling like an ending, coming full circle. It almost made me cry. I guess Walter Tevis died not long after this book was published—I can’t help but wonder if he intended to write a sequel. The chess world must be really stressful and even more weird for an ongoing chess champion—so more about chess, fame, addiction, aging. If he didn’t, I guess it’s our loss. I heard they made some kind of TV show from this book. I might wait long enough to forget it a bit, then check it out. Or, I might decide to re-read this book.

7.12.23