The Big Bang Theory (TBBT) is chock-a-block with geniuses, but who among them can actually play and win against the invincible chess champion Beth Harmon from The Queen’s Gambit? It’s interesting because Sheldon in TBBT did come up with his own version of 3D chess, which is played using a rather complicated multi-dimensional chessboard so it goes without saying that he’d make for a really strong competitor.
But chess is not just about being smart, there are so many key skills that are necessary to ace the game, from analytical skills to calculative skills, and the ability to remain dispassionate and think about every possible move. Now, TBBT may have a lot of Ph.D. holders but how many of them can actually beat Beth at chess? Let’s find out
10 Could: Sheldon
It goes without saying that Sheldon could probably beat Beth at chess; it may sound controversial considering Beth is a total master in chess and is also quite the prodigy, but Sheldon’s genius makes him more versatile as a chess player.
Let’s not forget he came up with his own innovation in chess-playing with the three-person format that is played on a multi-leveled chessboard and could be quite intimidating even for chess pros. Beth would no doubt be quite the competition for Sheldon but she probably won’t be able to beat him.
9 Couldn’t: Howard
Howard may have a master’s degree from MIT and he may be a real-life astronaut but could he beat the invincible Beth Harmon at the game she excels at? Surely not. The Big Bang Theory gives no indication about Howard’s prowess at chess but even if he could play the game, he would have a hard time dominating the contest because Beth is a seasoned player.
Plus a key skill in chess playing is evaluation or analysis of gameplay and Howard has proven in the past that he could be lacking in analytical and calculative skills. Remember the space toilet fiasco?
8 Could: Amy
The reason why we think Amy could beat Beth at chess is that she is a strategizer. Plus, she has a Nobel Prize winner and she has a Ph.D. in neuroscience which is one of the most daunting fields in the scientific world, which means she has a bit of an edge over Beth when it comes to thinking ahead.
Amy’s approach to solving any problem involves creating a master plan, which she could follow methodically. And this strategy-led process can come in very handy in a game of chess with Beth.
7 Couldn’t: Penny
Penny may have defeated Leonard at chess by a stroke of luck but then again, but she’s a rookie player. It's not that she can’t learn and get better over time, but Beth has been playing the game from a very young age. Even if Penny does get a few years to master the game, she couldn't possibly be as proficient a Beth because the latter pursues it professionally.
Plus, she spends most of her time thinking about moves on a chessboard and can actually visualize a board in her mind, which simply means she is consumed by the game, unlike Penny.
6 Could: Raj
Remember how great was at Secret Agent Laser Obstacle Chess? It’s probably because Raj possesses some of the key skills which one needs for acing a game of chess. To be specific, abstract reasoning and problem-solving are the two areas where Raj excels; he is also patient and doesn’t underestimate his opponents, even in his personal life.
This would serve him well against a game of chess against Beth; plus, he has a Ph.D., and is a top-rated astrophysicist. And it’s entirely possible that he has been playing chess since he was a kid, just like Beth.
5 Couldn’t: Stuart
Stuart may be a skilled artist and have an encyclopedic knowledge about nerd culture but he does not have the patience and far-sightedness to compete and win against an ace player like Beth. Plus a good chess player always tries to read their opponent to gauge their pattern and to seek out some predictable behavior in their playing.
But Stuart has proven that he is extremely bad at reading people, he is not a great visionary or even good at a crisis. Though he does showcase good sportsmanship, that’s not enough to play against someone as incredible as Beth.
4 Could: Leonard
Sure, Leonard couldn’t win against Sheldon at three-person chess and even the novice Penny defeated him once, but he does possess the skills to beat Beth at chess if he’s diligent and focused enough.
Leonard is a cautious player, he overthinks every move, and while that may be a problem in real-life, in chess it really would help him out. He also doesn’t take a round of defeat too seriously and doesn’t let it determine his next move which is great because the game has a tendency to get interesting when one is least expecting it
3 Couldn't: Bernadette
Bernadette may have a doctorate and may be a really smart microbiologist but she really couldn't match up to Beth’s icy inner mechanisms in front of a chessboard. The reason why Beth is so good at chess is that even if an opponent intimidates her, she doesn’t let it get to her analytical judgment.
Moreover, she treats every move made by each player the same way, irrespective of who her opponent is; this helps her stay on course. But Bernadette may be a tad clumsy in her approach considering patience is not her strong suit.
2 Could: Beverly
We have a sneaky suspicion that Leonard’s mother Beverly Hofstadter could perhaps be pretty strong competition for Beth. Not only is Beverly a doctor and a revered psychiatrist, but she also possesses the steeliness that the game of chess requires.
Unlike most outdoor or even indoor sports, chess is not about adrenaline or channeling the right force and energy, it’s actually just math and foresight. And Beverly whose career is based on noticing behavioral patterns can probably beat Beth at a game of chess, given that she can play, of course.
1 Couldn’t: Barry
Barry would definitely be too distracted by Beth’s looks to actually focus on the game. It would be really easy for Beth to play and to mislead him. Barry is also not someone who thinks before moving in on something and has always been depicted as someone who is unapologetic.
Moving thoughtlessly is really the worst thing you can do when you’re playing chess against a champion like Beth. Plus, the ability to remain calm under pressure is an important aspect of playing chess because passion or rage can really take a toll on someone’s instincts and those are definitely not Barry’s strong suits.
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