The Crutch – She uses alcohol and drugs. She yearns for companionship? Maybe not so much. But definitely she has a drug and alcohol problem. And she overcomes it near the end with the help of a childhood friend.
The Tragic Early Life Event – Her mother dying and her becoming an orphan. Finally explained at the end. At the moment she relives it she also has the strength to throw the pills away.
The incredible ability – a genius chess player. You want to cheer for her. An unusual chess player also, a young girl.
The nemsis – The Russians and in particular Borgov. Although her enemies changes throughout.
The Showdown Climax – The big chess game in Russia against Borgov.
Slowed down Climax – During the game, Borgov adjourns. Slowing it down. Then during the match he acts outside how they planned. Beth focuses on the ceiling, her old trick to learn it all and then over come him – after also getting help from her team. All her strengths coming together.
The cast of mentors – boyfriends and her friend from school. She also remembers her old chess teacher, the janitor during the press questioning.
Tragic death of a loved one – her mother. Her real mom dies then her step mother. Then she turns to drink heavily. Things seem to be spiriling.
The Broken heart – the reporter who is gay? But she loved him?
The crutch removed – pills and booze – after facing down her history.
The Climax as rematch – She lost in Paris to Borgov.
The intro as flashback before worst moments – The intro is a flashback to her trying to get ready for a chess match after a late night of partying.
The return of her team at the end – her friends, ex lovers, all of them come together to help her prepare.
Tropes? – Seems to have a lot of the hero’s journey – hero with a problem trope.
The Hero as flawed mega talent
7 Episodes about an hour long each with their own story flow, inciting incident, climax, etc.