A new Netflix show has spiked the interest of many around the world. Based on Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel, “The Queen’s Gambit, the Netflix series is directed by Scott Frank and Allan Scott.

The story is an in-depth look into a talented orphan’s mind who struggles with addiction and finds her way in life by pursuing what she loves — chess. Although chess fanatics may especially enjoy this series, many who have never played a game in their life have been lured into this captivating story of a successful young woman. Being surrounded by chess players from the 1950s-60s, young Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) performs against men of all ages and is deemed to be a sensation by only 8 years old.

As she takes viewers through her extraordinary journey, she is challenged by the sexism and intensity of the industry. Not only does she prove those who find her to be young and a woman, but she continues to beat every person in her path to reach her greatest accomplishment against the Russian master.

Though she has a passion for the chess world, she also enjoys fashion and beauty. This is another thing that the people around her assumed incorrectly. They believed that since she was a woman who played chess, she certainly could not be interested in more feminine aspects.

This is extremely relative to the world we live in right now, considering the number of women who are shamed for not being a certain way. Beth Harmon is a wonderful example of how we are not what others say we are or have to be. We can be whatever we choose to, as long as we know what we want. Harmon knew what she wanted and did just that. She appeared fragile from the outside, but for battling addiction since she was only a little girl, this woman was one of the strongest the people had seen.

In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes TV, Anya Taylor-Joy explains that both she and the director needed viewers to recognize the difference between Beth taking substances and feeling the need for them. In celebration, she happily and confidently had a drink or two, but when she had felt stuck in her own head, she scrambled for sedation drugs that she was once given at the orphanage. She may have felt benefited by the side effects of her consumption, but in the future only craved more. This would cause a downfall for anyone in a similar situation.

During the interview, Anya states that “the awful thing about addiction is that it is guaranteed to stop working and it will completely derail your life.”

Beth Harmon, determined enough, made her way out of this hole to reach her end-goal and proved how powerful a woman can really be. “The Queen’s Gambit” is a story of struggle, passion, friendship, and achievement. It is an inspiration for growing women and a wake-up call for the rest of the world. In such a short amount of episodes, an exciting tale was told of a child prodigy who strived and succeeded to become known for her talent, not her gender.