The Queen’s Gambit: What Killed Alma (& Why She Had To Die)

The death of Alma Wheatley in The Queen’s Gambit was a shocking moment but ultimately necessary for Beth Harmon’s character development. In the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, Beth is orphaned at the age of seven following a car accident, with Alma and Allston Wheatley adopting her after several years. Soon after the adoption, however, Allston abandons the family, providing very little money for Alma and Beth to live on. The seemingly unfortunate turn of events is revealed to actually be in Beth’s favor — the newfound need for additional income is the impetus for not just Beth’s burgeoning chess career, but also her close relationship with her adoptive mother, Alma.