Episode 3 of The Queen's Gambit delicately weaves in fleeting glimpses of Beth's bygone days, painting a vibrant portrait of her mother venturing out to the serene lake, their embrace framed by a beaming smile on Beth's face. The joyous moment is abruptly shattered by the relentless tick of a clock, jarring her back to the harsh realities of the present.
Flashing forward to Cincinnati, 1963, Beth and Alma gracefully settle into their cozy abode, preparing for the chess tournament that looms ahead. Beth, renowned as the Kentucky State Champion, dispatches her opponents with effortless ease, drawing even Alma to witness her triumphs. Matt and Mike, familiar faces from her past, join them for dinner, yet Beth's mind remains fixed on the US Open, her journey across the nation's chess circuits relentless. Romance and the entanglements of relationships are distant thoughts, lost amidst the intensity of her pursuit.
As Christmas approaches, Beth and Alma retreat to a spa oasis, where Beth's resolve crystallizes – to master the Russian language. Prior to this linguistic endeavor, she finds herself seated for an interview with a Life magazine reporter, her struggles overlooked as the focus shifts to the precarious balance she treads between creativity's peak and madness's brink.
The interview, and the subsequent splash it makes in the magazine, propels Beth into the spotlight, her fame burgeoning solely on the fact that she is a woman amidst a male-dominated world. Yet, this newfound celebrity brings her to a pledge party, an unexpected invitation from the same girls who once tormented and excluded her. Beth arrives, immediately sensing her discomfort, realizing that their interests lie solely in boys and music, leaving her as an outsider in their realm.
Beth, her gaze lingering momentarily on the alluring array of alcohol perched on the counter, decides it's time to bid farewell. This fleeting moment sparks a familiar, intoxicating blend of booze and pharmaceuticals, echoing the heady cocktail we witnessed at the dawn of episode 1. Three years later, the scene shifts to the vibrant Las Vegas of 1966, where Beth's path crosses with Townes. Their conversation revolves around the shifting tides of their respective destinies. Townes, now a magazine reporter, extends an invitation to join him in his room for a game of chess and a photographic session, the air thick with unspoken sexual tension. Yet, this moment is abruptly disrupted by the arrival of Townes' roommate, Roger Dione.
Meanwhile, beneath the surface, the tension between Alma and Beth simmers, fueled by Alma's reckless indulgence in alcohol and her coaxing of Beth to follow suit. As night falls, Beth opens up about her upcoming tournament, her complex emotions towards US champion Benny Watts looming large. Benny, a man who commands crowds and possesses a formidable skill set, stands as a formidable opponent.
Later in the day, fate brings Beth face to face with Benny himself, who delves into the nuances of game strategy, exposing a vulnerability in Beth's game. The realization that her previous opponent could have toppled her sends a shiver down her spine, but Beth quickly regains her composure with the aid of another green pill.
The match against Benny commences, Beth maintaining a placid exterior while inwardly, she's a tempest of emotions, ultimately succumbing to panic and suffering her first defeat. Though the prize money is shared, alleviating Alma's concerns, Beth cannot shake off the weight of her loss.
Just as Beth prepares to depart Las Vegas, Townes rushes after her, offering a glimmer of hope—a promise of a rematch against Benny in the future. Alma and Beth, hands entwined, drive away in silence, their minds replaying the what-ifs and might-have-beens of the past few days.
