NETFLIX has successfully made chess cool with its latest show The Queen's Gambit, which a North-East chess player says is the "most accurate" reflection of the game he has seen.
The Queen's Gambit tells the story of orphaned child prodigy Elizabeth Harmon, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, who is taught chess by a janitor in the orphanage basement.
Set in the 60s, Beth is one of the first women to play the game and climbs her way onto the international chess circuit while battling with substance abuse.
- Bobby Ball sons 'overwhelmed' by tributes paid to 'legend'
- Why there's a Christmas tree full of name tags in every Dunelm store
- Princess Diana's relationship with the Queen shown in S4 of Netflix's The Crown
Ryan Duff, from Newcastle, has been playing chess since he was four-years-old after being introduced to it by his dad and praised the Netflix show for its accurate representation of the game.
The 25-year-old said: "The Queen's Gambit is the most accurate representation of competitive chess I have seen in a TV show or movie.
"What stood out to me was that there was clearly a lot of research and respect put into chess before making the show. Most shows and movies that feature chess tend to be made with a small amount of knowledge of the game.
"The Queen's Gambit however was created by people that have taken some serious time, to look at how the game is played at a competitive level.
"Plus they have put a lot of research into chess history. There are plenty of big-name drops from the history of chess: Paul Morphy, José Raúl Capablanca, Mikhail Botvinnik, and François-André Danican Philidor to name a few."
The Queen's Gambit, a chess opening which the show is named after, is known for putting pressure on the opposing side. The idea is to temporarily sacrifice a pawn to gain control of the centre of the board.
Mr Duff, who has been playing competitive chess since 2017, added: "The accuracy I mentioned comes from the overall view of competitive chess. From players analysing their own games, to opening study and, preparing to play certain opponents are all things tournament chess players do.
"Their representation of strong players is superb also. Other TV shows and movies often show master, or even grandmaster level players falling for 'scholar's mate' or missing checkmate in one move. That simply doesn't happen.
"In fact, the only players that happens to are complete beginners. The Queen's Gambit is the first show to represent players of that calibre as formidable opponents. Players that are both feared and respected by all chess players."
The absorbing mini series, based on Walter Tevis's 1983 novel of the same name, is directed and written by two-time Academy Award nominee Scott Frank.
"It's not perfect, there are a couple of things that are misrepresented. The two players having a conversation at the board in the middle of a tournament hall for example. That is simply not allowed in a tournament setting, but it's a TV Show," Mr Duff said.
It is not just chess players themselves interested in the show, with it quickly gaining popularity in both the US and UK.
Google Trends reveals searches for 'chess' spiked after the show's release on October 23, suggesting it may bring a new lease of life to the "game for old men".
Mr Duff added: "The show does away with the stigma of chess being 'a game for old men' and shows that chess can be cool and interesting for everybody.
"Ironically, although chess was given that stigma a long time ago, the younger players are the players that often do best in the game. Ultimately, chess is a game of the mind. A battle of ideas. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from or what you have been through, you are equal to everybody at the chessboard.
"The show represents that fact beautifully."
The North-East chess player, who now regrets waiting so long to "take the plunge" and play competitively, urges anyone interested in chess to search for their nearest club.
Mr Duff describes a diverse and vibrant chess scene in the region, inclusive of all ages, skill level and walks of life.
He said: "From young children to players in their 80s, we have players that are male, female, BAME, trans and young girls and boys.
"Everybody is welcome to play chess in the North-East whether you're a complete beginner to a Grandmaster."
Mr Duff pays homage to Grandmaster Danny Gormally, currently the only Grandmaster living in the North-East. A grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain.
While Covid has brought in-person chess games to a half, clubs have taken the game online.
Northumberland also won the online county championships back in August, beating Lincolnshire 8.5 - 3.5, a championship which would have otherwise been over-the-board.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here