Queen’s Gambit Test

The IDRLabs Queen’s Gambit Character Test is inspired by psychometric methodology and based on research into the characters in The Queen’s Gambit. The test provides feedback such as the following:

Beth Harmon

Beth Harmon is an intense and gifted chess prodigy driven by an insatiable need for mastery. Independent and composed on the surface, Beth often retreats into solitude and substances to escape inner chaos. She commands attention without seeking it, blending elegance with detachment. While emotionally guarded, her journey is one of deep self-exploration and reckoning with grief, trauma, and connection. Beth’s brilliance is matched only by her fragility, making her an icon of both triumph and turmoil.

Jolene DeWitt

Jolene DeWitt is bold, grounded, and emotionally perceptive. Having grown up in the same orphanage as Beth, she’s shaped by resilience and a sharp understanding of how the world works. Jolene balances practicality with fierce loyalty, acting as a voice of truth and care when others spiral. She’s unapologetic in her strength and wisdom, never losing her capacity to nurture those she believes in. Jolene’s character represents the enduring power of friendship, perspective, and tough love.

Alma Wheatley

Alma Wheatley is a melancholy and complex woman whose genteel appearance masks quiet desperation. Stifled by her past and her role in society, she finds unexpected purpose through Beth’s success. Though flawed, Alma develops genuine affection and ambition alongside her surrogate daughter. Her character illustrates the quiet sorrow of a life unfulfilled—and the flickers of meaning found in unexpected companionship and late-blooming self-worth.

Benny Watts

Benny Watts is a confident and cerebral chess master with a rebel streak. Stylish, competitive, and cocky, he thrives on intellect and challenge. Beneath the bravado lies a thoughtful mentor who respects talent and pushes others to rise. Benny struggles with vulnerability and emotional openness, often choosing strategy over sincerity. His character reflects the complicated dance between ego, admiration, and the desire for connection masked by cool detachment.

Harry Beltik

Harry Beltik is kind, intelligent, and emotionally sensitive. More motivated by growth than dominance, he values companionship and learning over competition. Though not as flashy as his peers, Harry offers warmth and stability. He knows when to step aside and when to support from a distance. His character embodies quiet maturity and the bittersweet reality of unrequited love paired with genuine respect.

Vasily Borgov

Vasily Borgov is a disciplined and formidable opponent, revered for his silence, strategy, and focus. He exudes grace under pressure, earning respect through sheer composure and talent. Though initially a looming rival, Borgov’s sportsmanship and humility reveal depth and mutual admiration. He represents stoic dignity, the power of emotional restraint, and the quiet humanity behind greatness.

Mr. Shaibel

Mr. Shaibel is a quiet, disciplined figure who values focus, humility, and quiet mentorship. As the janitor who first introduces Beth to chess, he leads not through charisma or power, but through consistency and belief in others’ potential. Shaibel doesn’t seek recognition; instead, he builds trust through action and subtle encouragement. His character represents the power of small influences, the importance of patience, and the impact of kindness without strings.