The show is adapted from Walter Tevis' 1983 novel entitled "The Queen's Gambit"

The novel is both imbued with realistic and fictional elements; it incorporates the author's real-life experiences with fictional characters. However, the drug addiction being rooted in an external home environment is based on the author's experiences and closely mirrors Beth Harmon's experience in the orphanage.

The actors memorized, calculated, and played all of their characters' chess moves.

Although they were guided by professional chess players in the background of each scene and shot, the actors deliberately memorized all their moves. These efforts culminated in a very authentic and natural chess game, which was a large factor behind why I found myself infatuated with this show.

The show's developers conferred with and were advised by professional chess experts.

One of the individuals that the creators brought onto the show was Garry Kasparov, who sought to visually and accurately bring Tevis' descriptions to life in a way that would invigorate the audience. He additionally spoke at length about Soviet culture, which was helpful in further adding to the Cold War background the show was set in.