Paris cold open: Beth wakes up late for the match
A hotel clerk pounds on the door while a hungover Beth scrambles out of a bathtub, dresses in a rush and takes her seat across the board.
Vasily Borgov's Best Moments
Every The Queen's Gambit moment featuring Vasily Borgov, in story order. Played by Marcin Dorociński.
9 moments · 23 min · by Favseen
- 01
- 02
The Soviets size up Beth in the elevator
Borgov's circle discusses how to deal with Harmon: an attacker, an orphan, a survivor for whom losing is not an option.
- 03
Beth vs Borgov: the Rossolimo
Matt and Mike talk the crowd through the opening as Borgov sidesteps Beth's Sicilian with a rare line; 'Borgov's not a machine' - 'That you know of.'
- 04
Paris press conference: Beth's Adam's apple retort
Borgov says he will likely die with his head on a chessboard; asked if she is too glamorous to be serious, Beth answers with a perfect one-liner.
- 05
Hungover Beth loses the final to Borgov
Woken by hotel staff with the hall waiting, Beth stumbles into the rematch against Borgov, cannot see the board clearly, and resigns.
- 06
The Moscow Invitational opens and Beth thrashes Laev in 27 moves
The tournament opens with a Huxley quote on the chessboard as the world; commentary explains how Laev underestimated the unknown American.
- 07
Borgov declines the Queen's Gambit and the final game begins
Commentary walks through the opening of Beth versus Borgov: her Queen's Gambit, his surprising rare line, her deviation from the Albin, through to adjournment.
- 08
Borgov offers a draw and Beth refuses
The adjourned game resumes, Borgov goes off script and then offers Beth a draw; commentary weighs it, but Elizabeth Harmon loves to win.
- 09
Beth sees the board on the ceiling and Borgov hands her his king
Beth visualizes the endgame sober, Borgov resigns and gives her his king, the hall erupts, and Jolene watches at home.