10 Queen’s Gambit Memes That Will Have You Saying ‘I Resign’

The Queen’s Gambit has reached record-breaking highs on Netflix while reintroducing the intensity and intelligence associated with chess to people around the world. The series navigates addiction, feminism, and tragedy in the protagonist of Beth Harmon, a complex character and chess prodigy. With such a series as this, viewers can’t help but have passionate experiences, attachments, and an ignited interest in the game of the minds.

And while the chess strategies are being learned, the characters adored, and the final episode mulls in their thoughts, memes, jokes, and admiration provide a shared and relatable love for viewers of the series.

10 Chess Family Strategizing Session

On her journey to become world champion, Beth met many people, and unknowingly began creating a family; people who understood her, who loved her. One of the most heartfelt scenes of the series was during the final episode, “End Game,” when Beth was greeted with a surprise visit from Townes and a phone conversation with all the people who cared about her.

She was also finally able to give Mr. Shaibel’s kindness the attention it deserved. And Jolene’s belief in her was what made it possible for her to play to win. She came to know that she was not alone, that she was loved.

9 Style and Sophistication

When Beth arrived at the orphanage, she received a haircut that all the girls were given. It was one uniform orphanage of baby fringed bobs.

But after she was adopted, and as she paved her way through the chess ranks, her hair also changed. It became a symbol of her growth as it melded with her motions. It showed strength, sophistication, precision, and passion.

8 And Suddenly…Chess

Chess is a game of the minds, of imagination, of stamina. As Beth Harmon says, “Chess can also be beautiful. It was the board I noticed first. It’s an entire world of just 64 squares. I feel safe in it. I can control it; I can dominate it. And it’s predictable, so if I get hurt, I only have myself to blame.”

When The Queens’ Gambit was released, the game reached a peak of interest, one it hadn’t had for years.

7 Referencing The Title

The Queen’s Gambit was originally a book by Walter Tevis released in 1983. And something all readers love is the moment the title makes sense. This feeling of satisfaction was also provided for viewers during the series.

When Mr. Shaibel went through chess openings and strategies to Beth, one of them was The Queen’s Gambit. It is also the move Beth made in her game against Borgov, bringing everything full circle.

6 That’s The Spirit

The Queen’s Gambit was made masterfully with passion and intensity. The storyline didn’t require viewers to have a vast knowledge of chess to find it interesting, to invest in the characters and the world created.

Beth Harmon mesmerized viewers from the very first episode, and from that moment on, her world of chess became the audience’s world of chess.

5 Wizard’s Chess?

Many would love to see Beth Harmon and Ron Weasley play a game of chess. Two brilliant red-haired geniuses conquering a world of 64 squares.

Ron Weasley won a game of life-sized Wizard’s Chess, an obstacle created by McGonagall to protect the Philosopher’s Stone during Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, and is an excellent player.

4 Inspired

One of the biggest honors a piece of art can receive is a lasting impression and inspired thought; a longing, a desire to learn and grow. The Queen’s Gambit made an impact on its viewers.

It made them love the world of chess. It made them aspire to learn and master the game. It might have renewed passion long lost in chess players who played once upon a time or it might have created the next generation of chess players.

3 Beth Harmon Is Queen

“I would say it’s much easier to play chess without the burden of an Adam’s apple.” Beth Harmon played the game of chess as a player, not as a female. She battled interviewers who focused solely on her gender instead of her story. She carved her way through ranked players. She didn’t exchange her femininity for respect and embraced her style seeing it as nothing to do with the game, only her desire to wear what she wanted.

She gained respect for her skills. She made a name for herself and became a feminist icon. “It takes a strong woman to stay by herself in a world where people will settle for anything, just to say they have something.”

2 Creed & Jim

Since the release of The Queen’s Gambit, many viewers have started referencing other chess scenes in films and series. Whether it be Creed and Jim playing in an episode of The Office, Ron Weasley playing Wizard’s Chess in Harry Potter, or Pixar’s Geri’s Game with the elderly Geri playing chess in the autumnal park.

The intensity in Creed’s face certainly shows just how serious chess can be and how one can manipulate and unravel opponents.

1 Number 1 Fan

“If this were a golf or tennis tournament we’d be surrounded by reporters as opposed to…whoever these people are.” Chess is an intricate game. It can be played for fun or taken seriously. It’s a sport of the mind and just like any sport, it has rules.

Once those rules are understood, the game can be understood, and a style of learning tailored to individuals start to appear with each game; each game is as unique as the players. But many viewers didn’t have to know chess to enjoy watching Beth Harmon slay the chessboard. They joined Shaibel, Jolene, and Alma in a shared love for the person and the game.

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