"Her mind was luminous, and her soul sang to her in the sweet moves of chess."

This was a reread for me. I had never heard of Walter Tevis, but the description of this book interested me, so I bought it. It wasn't until later that I learned Walter Tevis was the author of [b:The Hustler|323170|The Hustler|Walter Tevis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348240339s/323170.jpg|1452221] and [b:The Man Who Fell to Earth|396329|The Man Who Fell to Earth |Walter Tevis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320467516s/396329.jpg|313881], both of which were made into movies. I have on idea why "The Queen's Gambit" was never filmed. It certainly should be. I haven't played chess since I was in junior high and I've forgotten a lot, but "The Queen's Gambit" brings it all back. You don't have to be familiar with chess, though, to enjoy the story.

Beth Harmon is eight years old when her mother is killed in a car accident. She winds up in an awful orphanage where the children are drugged to make them more amenable. An introvert, Beth stays by herself most of the time, but eventually befriends Jolene, an older, streetwise, black girl. One day, Beth notices the school janitor, Mr Shaibel, playing some chess. She convinces him to teach her - and it becomes obvious that she has a rare gift. Beth begins to compete in small chess tournaments and wins game after game.

"Boys came in from the hallway and lined up along the back wall to watch the homely girl from the orphanage at the edge of town who moved from player to player with the determined energy of a Caesar in the field, a Pavlova under the lights."

After Beth is adopted by the Wheatleys, she begins to compete in larger tournaments for money - and wins them. She quickly becomes a star. When she is playing chess, Beth is calm, cool, collected, and totally in control. Her private life is another story. Beth has a hard time with interpersonal relationships and, except for her friendships with Mr Shaibel, Jolene, and Mrs Wheatley, always seems to be a distance with other people, even her lovers.

In many ways, it's a Cinderella story, but one where Cinderella rescues herself without the aid of a fairy godmother. Beth upgrades her chess set and her clothes with the money that she earns. She is supporting her small family - herself and Mrs Wheatley - from the time she is 13 years old. Of course, this comes at a high price. Then there's drugs and alcohol, which threaten to ruin everything. The climax, when she is playing against Borgov, was nailbitingly tense. After I finished the book, I had a smile on my face. I really like Beth Harmon and really enjoyed her story.

Very recommended.