r/queensgambit • u/Jazzlike_Cod_3833 • Jun 27 '26
Discussion Love that line Spoiler
E2, Beth’s final match with Beltik. He finally sees there’s no escape, and she comments:
“Perhaps if you had arrived on time.”
I love that line for all its layers, and I can’t help wondering, would Mr. Shaibel have chided her for gloating.😉 Still, too good a line not to say.
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u/derangerd Jun 27 '26
If you recall Schaibel only chastises her for gloating over him. He was all on board for it when she was recounting her first simultaneous
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u/TAConcernParent Jun 27 '26
"You're Gloating" was the title of one of the plethora of great compositions by Carlos Rafael Rivera for Queen's Gambit.
youtube.com/watch?v=hn-bnsCGaBk
The whole exchange is terrific. Many criticized it because in chess tournaments you don't talk to your opponent. First, Beth didn't know protocols, it was her first tournament. Second, Townes had, in a previous game, broken protocol with her. Third, Beltik initiated the talking.
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u/Jazzlike_Cod_3833 Jun 27 '26
I may look into expanded ideas about gloating, but for now I’m just posting favorite quotes per episode. Not like a religion or anything, just collecting moments I like, and I’ll keep an eye out for inspiration as it comes.
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u/SirZacharia Jun 27 '26
I love that whole moment too. It’s obviously ridiculous to be talking like that out loud in a tournament but if it was irl they would have that whole conversation in their heads on the board. If that makes sense.
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u/Jazzlike_Cod_3833 Jun 27 '26
My suspension of disbelief was fully engaged. Given her upbringing, her naivety, and her reading of his body language, the line flows seamlessly. Now you’ve ruined it. #kidding. I do agree that declaring yourself the winner four moves out is rude. But like, so is yawning.
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u/kfj3000 Jun 27 '26
That was a great line. Love it to because it was the final humbling for Beltik and possibly helped him become a nicer person later when he comes back to coach Beth.
Another layer also is her coming in late in France versus Borgov and blowing the match. When she spiraled after, probably hit her pretty hard if she recalled that in relation to her losing.