Alice's lesson: the strongest person isn't scared to be alone
Beth's mother's voice opens the episode with her creed about solitude and the danger of letting other people tell you what to want.
S1E5 · Fork
16 moments · 26 min of essential viewing in a 48-minute episode.
Moments, in order
Harry Beltik calls with condolences and an offer
Out of nowhere, Harry phones Beth about her loss to Borgov and offers to train her for the Soviets; she tells him to come over right now.
The gawky kid grew up: Harry's books are all old news
Harry arrives at the house with a stack of chess books and finds Beth has already read every one of them.
We're all prima donnas: anger as a potent spice
Beth says she plays by ear like Capablanca; Harry warns her stubborn anger narrows her vision and quotes his second grade teacher on spice.
Harry spent his tuition on new teeth
Beth can't work out what's different about Harry until he admits he fixed his teeth with his college money, and says it was worth it.
Wiped out five times: Harry tells Beth to read Borgov's games
After beating Beth repeatedly at speed chess, Harry insists Borgov needs years more work and hands her Leningrad 1962; she mocks him alone.
Study montage: I can fight against anyone but time
Beth reads the masters' words on attack and regret while Harry walks her through Smyslov versus Botvinnik and a possibly drugged tea.
Margaret from Fairfield High and the window of opportunity
An old classmate with a baby corners Beth in the shop, remembering the Apple Pi visit and calling the chess boys a real thrill.
Philidor, Diderot and why Harry fixed his teeth
Harry warns about going mad for vanity's sake, then confesses he was waiting for Beth to come back; she answers with Morphy and his shoes.
Harry admits he doesn't love chess the way Beth does
Over breakfast Harry says he's taught her all he knows and is leaving for his apartment; she has helped him see he isn't obsessed enough to win it all.
Beth meets Benny Watts again: get past me first
At the US Championship, Benny greets Beth over her Borgov loss, rails against cheap plastic boards, and promises he stands between her and Moscow.
Benny's interview and the knife
Benny tells a reporter to read his book and get in shape, then invites Beth to speed chess; she asks why he carries a knife. For protection.
Five bucks a game: Benny's speed chess hustle
Benny sends Weiss for coffee, orders apple juice in a milk glass, and beats Beth at blitz again and again at five dollars a game.
You attack like Alekhine: Benny and Beth before the final game
Benny apologizes for the hustle, calls Beth the best player here, and the two trade notes on playing whole games in their heads.
Raging inwardly: Benny loses in thirty moves and mentions Moscow
Beth has beaten Benny and can outdrink him too; he says the US winner goes to the Moscow Invitational, which she never knew.
Come to New York: Benny offers to train Beth
Benny warns Beth she'll be washed up by 21 if she keeps drinking, offers his living room and a drive to New York, and settles the sex question.
Playlists touching this episode
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