Chess is 'life in miniature'

The 13th-century Dominican friar Jacobus de Cessolis described the ways each chess piece contributes to a harmonious social order.

• He distinguished paws by trade and connected each to its royal partner.
• The first pawn is a farmer and tied to the castle because he provides food to the kingdom.
• The second pawn is a blacksmith who makes armour for the knight.
• The third is an attorney who helps the bishop with legal matters.

Jacobus's allegory becomes the central message of the mini-series "The Queen's Gambit." Beth becomes a figurative queen after she learns to work with other players. Just like the pawn, she converts in her final game.