‘THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT’: “Surviving” Trauma

The Queen’s Gambit is a tale of chess and childhood tragedy. This riveting series shows us clearly that when traumatized children try to survive adulthood, they may have questionable ways of coping. But there’s a big difference between the ways children “get by” and the ways that actually help them heal. It’s important to know that difference. Beth Harmon from Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit learned how to cope. And no, drugs weren’t the answer.

The Queen’s Gambit: Being “Tough” to Survive

When your mom dies in a car crash at age nine after trying to kill you both, it’s hard to trust anyone. Beyond her mother’s “survival lessons,” that’s all Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) has to stave off her horrifying flashbacks after she ends up in an orphanage. Those “lessons” become necessary when Beth is surrounded by unkind people there.

She has only two real allies: Jolene (played by Moses Ingram) and Mr. Schaibel (played by Bill Camp).

Then she’s adopted by people who aren’t particularly kind either, loses Jolene and Mr. Schaibel, and later, her new mother. She has no choice but to stay tough. Chess plays its part. That’s where the name The Queen’s Gambit comes in — it’s a chess move to secure control of the center of the board. Beth must keep control of the hurricane of feelings inside herself.

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