How to become a chess master? Hmmm, that’s an interesting question. Given the sad situation where most millennials are aiming for that imaginary chicken dinner in PUBG, chess retains class and exclusivity.
It still reigns as the game that only true prodigies can develop a liking for! Why do I say that?
Well, if you watched The Queen’s Gambit, you know it isn’t just about a girl playing chess. It’s about passion, grit, and the pursuit of excellence.
That’s what the game of chess is all about!
Whether you’re looking to improve chess skills to become a better chess player or just fascinated by the idea of mastering something, here are seven lessons from Beth Harmon chess prodigy from The Queen’s Gambit.
Let’s dive into this journey and level up your chess game!
Lesson 1: Start with the Basics, But Dream Big
World-class chess player Beth Harmon didn’t jump into grandmaster-level games overnight. You know that if you’ve watched the series, of course.
Remember her first encounter with chess in the orphanage basement? The janitor, Mr. Shaibel, taught her the basics of chess: how pieces move, the value of each piece, and the concept of checkmate.
Elizabeth Beth Harmon was mesmerized, but she didn’t start dreaming of the World Championship immediately. She first focused on mastering basic moves.
Takeaway: For beginners, knowing how the pieces move, the opening principles (control the center, develop pieces, protect the king), and some basic endgames are essential.
Therefore, practice them consistently like Beth Harmon the Queen’s Gambit star – and be patient.
The first step to mastery is understanding the fundamentals deeply!
Lesson 2: Study and Analyze Every Chess Game
One of the most iconic scenes in the series is Beth Harmon lying in bed, visualizing chess moves on the ceiling.
It’s a bit surreal, but it represents a powerful lesson: the importance of visualization and analysis to become a good chess player. Beth spent hours going over each game, learning from her mistakes and figuring out what her opponents might do.
Takeaway: Every game you play is a lesson. Whether you win or lose, go back and review it.
Look for moves you could’ve played better, analyze your mistakes, and identify any patterns in your play.
That’s what Harmon chess player did for hours on end. You don’t need a ceiling chessboard (though it’d be cool), but make it a habit to analyze your games.
Lesson 3: The Opening Matters, but It’s Not Everything
Long before Beth Harmon is to become a chess grandmaster, she experiments with various openings throughout the show and studies them rigorously.
While openings can give you an initial advantage, they’re only the beginning.
Too often, beginners get obsessed with memorizing opening moves without understanding their purpose. Beth didn’t just memorize openings; she understood why they worked, which helped her navigate the middle game with confidence.
Takeaway: To ace at chess like chess player Beth Harmon, learn a few basic openings that suit your style, and understand the goals behind them. Try openings like the Queen’s Gambit (of course!), the Sicilian Defense, or the King’s Indian Defense.
To become a chess master, choose your opening moves wisely, depending on whether you like to play aggressively or defensively.
But remember, after the opening, it’s about adapting, strategizing, and making moves based on what’s on the board, not what you memorized!
Lesson 4: Embrace Losing as Part of the Process
For Beth Harmon chess champion title didn’t come through overnight. Though, she effortlessly destroyed major players – she sometimes lost too!
When Beth lost her first major game to Benny Watts, she was devastated. Remember?
That loss hit her hard, but it also lit a fire in her. Rather than quitting or making excuses, she went back to studying harder than ever. Beth knew that losing was part of getting better.
Takeaway: Losing sucks, no doubt about it. But each loss is an opportunity to becoming better at chess. Most grandmasters, at some point, have been absolutely crushed in games.
Don’t be discouraged.
Embrace each loss as a valuable lesson and a step toward improvement. Keep in mind, every grandmaster has lost hundreds, if not thousands, of games. It’s a rite of passage.
Lesson 5: Surround Yourself with People Who Challenge You
Of course, Beth Queen’s Gambit appeared lonely – but upon analysis, you’ll see she had a solid group of people who helped her. Even if they didn’t always show it that way!
Mr. Shaibel introduced her to the game. Townes inspired her, Benny pushed her to work on her skills, and her friends at the orphanage encouraged her. All these people challenged her in different ways, helping her to reach her full potential.
Takeaway: To get better, you need people who push you. This could mean joining a local chess club, finding a study partner, or just playing against stronger opponents.
If you’re always winning, you’re probably not challenging yourself enough.
Seek out people who will give you constructive feedback and push you to improve. That’s what Beth Harmon chess game teaches you. Seek competition and company.
Lesson 6: Practice Makes Better, Especially with Puzzles
In chess how to become grandmaster comes much later. Beth Harmon chess skills didn’t just develop from playing games; she spent ages solving puzzles.
Each puzzle is like a mini-game that sharpens your tactics, helps you spot patterns, and improves your calculation speed. In the series, we see Beth Harmon playing chess and working tirelessly on various tactics, helping her to develop her game.
Takeaway: Tactics are like the building blocks of a good chess game. Work on puzzles that focus on forks, pins, skewers, and discovered attacks.
Websites like Chess.com and Lichess offer tons of puzzles at every skill level. Even 15 minutes of daily puzzle-solving will improve your tactical awareness and make you a tougher opponent.
Lesson 7: Believe in Your Instincts, but Keep Learning
In one of the climactic scenes, Beth from Queens Gambit faces Vasily Borgov, a top Russian player. While Borgov is a highly disciplined, studied player, Beth plays intuitively.
This balance between knowledge and intuition is crucial. Throughout the show, chess player Beth Harmon constantly learns, but she also relies on her gut, trusting her instincts in key moments.
Takeaway: As you gain experience, you’ll develop a feel for the board.
Trust your instincts, but don’t stop learning.
Chess is a complex game, and even the best players constantly study and refine their skills. Balance intuition with knowledge; this will make you a more flexible and formidable player.
How to Become a Chess Master – Final Word
Chess is a journey of continuous growth, just like Beth Harmon’s. She faced her inner demons, learned from her mentors, and pushed herself beyond her limits.
You may not have Beth’s photographic memory or visual ceiling chessboard, but with enough practice, analysis, and a little grit, you can become a chess master like Beth Harmon too.
Take the lessons from The Queen’s Gambit, hit the chessboard, and play like you mean it.
Whether you’re aiming for chess grandmaster status or just looking to win a few more games with friends, remember: the beauty of chess lies in the journey, not just the win.
Enjoy each move, learn from each loss, and always keep your eye on the board.
Happy playing!
