Short Stuff: Why is holly a holiday thing?

Set in 1950s and 1960s America, 'The Queen's Gambit' follows the life of Beth Harmon, an orphaned girl who discovers her exceptional talent for chess. The novel explores themes of adoption, feminism, chess, drug addiction, and alcoholism as Beth rises through the ranks of the chess world. Despite her prodigious talent, Beth faces numerous challenges, including her addiction to tranquilizers and later alcohol, and the sexism and ageism prevalent in the male-dominated chess community. The book details her journey from an orphanage to becoming the U.S. champion and her ultimate goal of defeating the world champion, Vasily Borgov, in Moscow.

This memoir recounts the journey of Fred Waitzkin and his son Joshua into the world of chess. Inspired by the historic Fischer-Spassky championship match, Waitzkin's son Josh begins playing chess at six and quickly becomes a prodigy. The book explores their travels, tournaments, and the impact on their relationship, as well as the broader world of chess and the enigmatic figure of Bobby Fischer. It delves into the pressures and challenges faced by Josh and the ethical dilemmas of parenting a prodigy, making it a story about fathers, sons, and the complexities of ambition and love.