The Queen’s Gambit Character Analysis

Beth Harmon

Elizabeth “Beth” Harmon is the book’s protagonist. Beth is orphaned at eight years old when her mother dies in a car accident, and she subsequently lands in the strict Methuen orphanage. There, she befriends an… read analysis of Beth Harmon

Benny Watts

Benny Watts is a high-ranked chess player whom Beth befriends. Benny was a child prodigy at eight years old, competing in prominent international tournaments. When Beth first meets Benny at the U.S. Open, he is… read analysis of Benny Watts

Mrs. Wheatley

Alma Wheatley is Beth’s adopted mother and Mr. Wheatley’s wife. Mrs. Wheatley is excited to have a daughter, while Mr. Wheatley is largely indifferent to Beth and absent from their lives until he… read analysis of Mrs. Wheatley

Jolene DeWitt

Jolene is Beth’s close friend, whom she meets at Methuen orphanage. Jolene is African American and is 12 when the novel begins. She is protective of eight-year-old Beth, helping Beth with her addiction to… read analysis of Jolene DeWitt

Mr. Shaibel

Mr. Shaibel is the gruff janitor at Methuen orphanage who teaches Beth how to play chess. One day, while cleaning erasers, Beth watches him play chess alone in the basement and asks him to teach… read analysis of Mr. Shaibel

Vasily Borgov

Vasily Borgov is a Russian chess player and the reigning World Champion. Borgov is in his late 30s when Beth first encounters him in Mexico City; he has bushy eyebrows, coarse black hair, and an… read analysis of Vasily Borgov

Harry Beltik

Harry Beltik is a high-ranked chess player against whom Beth competes. At the beginning of the novel, Beltik is the reigning Kentucky State Champion. Beltik is a strong player, but he is somewhat arrogant and… read analysis of Harry Beltik

D. L. Townes/The Handsome Man

Townes is a handsome chess player in his 20s whom Beth meets during the Kentucky State Championship. Beth likes him because he acknowledges her skill despite her young age and gender, unlike some of the… read analysis of D. L. Townes/The Handsome Man

Georgi Petrovitch Girev

Girev is a 13-year-old Russian player whom Beth plays in Mexico City. She is stunned at how well he plays, and how serious he is at such a young age. He notes to her that… read analysis of Georgi Petrovitch Girev

Mrs. Deardorff

Mrs. Deardorff is the director at the Methuen orphanage. Beth describes her as strict and a bully at the school. If a child breaks the rules, the staff tells Mrs. Deardorff, and it is less… read analysis of Mrs. Deardorff

Mr. Wheatley

Allston Wheatley is Beth’s adopted father and Mrs. Wheatley’s husband. While Mrs. Wheatley is very excited about the prospect of adopting Beth, Mr. Wheatley is completely indifferent. He often goes on long business… read analysis of Mr. Wheatley

Luchenko

Luchenko is a Russian player whom Beth plays in Moscow. He is 57, has long, white hair like an orchestra conductor’s, and dresses immaculately. He was the previous World Champion before Borgov. In contrast… read analysis of Luchenko

Annette Packer

Annette Packer is Beth’s first competitor at the Kentucky State Championship when Beth is 13 years old. Annette is kind to Beth, teaching her about how to use the chess clock and the tournament… read analysis of Annette Packer

Minor Characters

Margaret

Margaret is a student at Beth’s school who bullies Beth for her drab clothing and her smarts. After Beth gains some fame as a chess player, Margaret invites her to a party with the Apple Pis before Beth realizes how boring the club is.

Mr. Fergussen

Mr. Fergussen is a staff member at Methuen orphanage. He is responsible for distributing the tranquilizers and the vitamins to the orphans. He accompanies Beth to the hospital after she takes 30 pills.

Mr. Ganz

Mr. Ganz is the chess club coach at a local high school in Kentucky. Mr. Shaibel invites him to play Beth, and he subsequently brings Beth to the high school to play 12 students simultaneously.

Manuel

Manuel is a man with whom Mrs. Wheatley corresponded in high school; he lives in Mexico City, and he meets up with Mrs. Wheatley when Beth has a tournament there.

Laev

Laev is a Russian chess player whom Beth plays in Moscow. Laev underestimates her, and she is able to use this to her advantage to beat him.

Mr. Booth

Mr. Booth is an agent from the U.S. State Department who accompanies Beth on her trip to Moscow.

Beth’s Mother

Beth’s mother dies in a car crash at the beginning of the novel, leaving Beth orphaned.

Beth’s Father

Beth’s father died when Beth was young. It is implied that he was an alcoholic.

Tim

Tim is the first person with whom Beth has sex. The experience is at first a bit traumatic, then perfectly fine but Beth is aware of not having any sort of emotional connection to Tim.