THE GAME OF CHESS BOOMS THANKS TO THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT

The game of chess has seen more interest than ever before, and it’s all thanks to a Netflix series called The Queen’s Gambit.

According to Wikipedia, The Queen’s Gambit is a 2020 American coming-of-age period drama streaming television miniseries based on Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel of the same name. 

The main character is a chess prodigy and the entire series centres around her ability to play the game so well.

CNN reports that Garry Kasparov, a former chess world champion and widely considered one of the sport’s greatest players, acted as a consultant on the show to ensure authenticity.

Speaking to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Kasparov said that he thinks "chess is on the rise now in America and around the world. But I think this series will do a great job promoting it further and I expect now a boom, because it helps to refute the image of the game of chess as something that could turn you into a nerd – or just make you crazy."

With several countries going back into lockdown, the situation makes it even easier to start playing. 

The Economic Times reported that Google searches for the word "chess" are at their highest level in 14 years since the release of The Queen’s Gambit.

Watch the Netflix trailer below.

Image credit: Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong