The Queen’s Gambit breaks records as biggest limited scripted series on Netflix ever

"Her success — against the odds — speaks to the importance of perseverance, family, and finding, and staying true to yourself.”

This is fantastic news for the world of chess and for the world of everyone who enjoys a well-scripted series about a chess prodigy. You don't have to know anything about chess to enjoy The Queen's Gambit which has been an instant success on Netflix over the last few weeks. It's no surprise then that the streaming service has announced that the new series was watched in 62 million households around the world, making The Queen's Gambit the biggest limited scripted series the platform has seen. These viewership stats are based on how many people "chose to watch" certain programs or movies. Another show that was highly successful for Netflix was Tiger King which was a favourite through the first lockdown way back in April. Since its release, it has since been viewed in 64 million houses around the world. The streaming service also revealed that since the show started airing Google search queries for “how to play chess” are the highest they've ever been in nine years. There's also been more interest in big tournaments too. The International Chess Federation reports significantly higher interest in next year’s World Championship compared to previous years. The hit show was based on a novel written by Walter Travis in 1983, and tells the fictional story of an orphan and her incredible talent for chess. Upon its release, the Queen's Gambit received a rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Netflix’s vice president for original series Peter Friedlander wrote in a blog post: “Three years ago when Scott Frank … first approached us about adapting ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ — Walter Tevis’ 1983 book about a young chess prodigy — we felt it was a compelling tale. "Beth is an underdog who faces addiction, loss and abandonment. Her success — against the odds — speaks to the importance of perseverance, family, and finding, and staying true to yourself.”