The Queen's Gambit

A novel about a chess player who embarks on a wild path, which became a Netflix series starring Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead role. From an American classic of 20th-century literature.  Other filmed bestsellers by the author: "The Hustler" with... Paul Newman, "The Color of Money" by Martin Scorsese, "The Man Who Fell to Earth" with David Bowie.  Beth Harmon is a quiet, shy orphan who ends up in an orphanage after her mother's death. She has no one: no friends, no relatives — only a janitor who teaches her to play chess. And Beth immerses herself in this activity. As she grows up, the girl starts to face problems with alcohol and pills, and only during a chess match is her mind as clear as ever.  At sixteen, Beth participates in the U.S. Open Chess Championship for the first time. As she ages, the stakes in the game rise, just like in Beth's life.  The desire to escape from reality into a carefree alcoholic illusion grows stronger, as does the anxiety.  Ahead is a game against the world's best player. But first, Beth must triumph in another important battle — against herself.