Soviet chess player sues Netflix over ‘sexist’ line in The Queen’s Gambit

Netflix has entered troubled waters yet again, this time, over its highly popular and Emmy nominated miniseries The Queen’s Gambit. The critically acclaimed Anya Taylor-Joy starrer drama had become a hit with fans and critics alike, even being lauded by people from the chess community. However, it seemed to upset one among them, prolific Soviet chess player Nona Gaprindashvili.

According to NBC News, the former women’s world champion has sued the streaming giant over a line on The Queen’s Gambit’s finale episode, where a commentator is heard talking about the fictional protagonist’s win over a male player. The line makes mention of Nona Gaprindashvili, saying that the female world champion had ‘never faced men’. Her $5 million lawsuit states that not only is the statement false, but that it is also belittling and ‘grossly sexist'.

Based on the novel of the same name, the Netflix limited series is set in the 1950s and 1960s and chronicled the journey of an orphaned young woman who becomes an elite chess player, while also dealing with her demons due to her difficult childhood. The show went on to become one of the most popular series on Netflix and received 18 Emmy nominations this year.

Meanwhile, Soviet chess player Nona Gaprindashvili has raked in several prestigious titles during her decades extending her career, becoming the first female Grandmaster and winning several other championships to her name as well. Her lawsuit also pointed out the fact that Gaprindashvili had competed against almost 59 male chess players by 1968, the year the finale was set in.

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A Netflix spokesperson had commented on the lawsuit. In a statement to NBC News, they had insisted on their intention to defend the case, calling the claim meritless while also indicating their respect for Nona Gaprindashvili and her career.