Review

Mallory Greenleaf, former child chess prodigy & now chess avoider is broke. Her family is broke. Her mum has a chronic illness, her dad’s not on the scene, there’s a mortgage to pay and two younger sisters to provide for. She’s busy pretending that she doesn’t want to go to college, so she can stick around, work extra shifts as a mechanic, and hold the family together, when her best friend talks her into participating in her chess team for a charity tournament. When Mallory unexpectedly beats the formerly unbeatable, temperamental World #1 chess champion and “Gen Z sex symbol”, Nolan Sawyer, she’s offered a golden opportunity to get back in the game… and maybe even turn pro.

She’s initially reluctant, but the fellowship money and chess prize cheques might keep a roof over her family’s heads, now that she’s been fired from the garage for persistent honesty, so she takes the offer. Will she be able to survive the misogynistic, dog-eat-dog world of elite chess? And the increasingly excited press and social media coverage? And the attractive and mysteriously ever-present Sawyer?

*

This book is hilarious and I devoured it. Hazelwood, best known for her TikTok-trending spicy STEMinist adult rom-coms, has created a skilful YA narrative full of wit and verve and popping with pop culture references.

The romance stays just the right side of steamy for older students (but note the content info). Mal has a history of no-strings-attached hookups, but this rounds out her character psychologically, rather than being treated frivolously or gratuitously. The characterisation is three dimensional and you’ll cheer for Mal as she takes on the sexist world of chess.

And also: I have a new archenemy. ‘I like it better when women stick to their own tournaments.’ My life mission is to repeat the words back to him while I checkmate his useless, bloated king (p. 113).

You’ll also fall in love with all the minor characters, particularly her anarchic sisters,

“Might want to rethink that,” Darcy points out, wagging her toothbrush at me, “or we’ll sic Child Protective Services onto you.”

Sabrina nods. “Possibly even the police.”

“Can she afford the legal fees?”

“No way. Good luck with your overworked, underpaid, court-appointed defense attorney, Mal” (p. 17).

Nolan’s chess besties,

Not five minutes later, two separate groups recognize Nolan as ‘that chess guy in all the TikToks’. It leads to selfies, autographs, and two beautiful women hastily writing down their numbers on Sbarro napkins, like he’s Justin Bieber or something. Tanu and Emil pretend to stand in line, audibly asking, “Sir, I’m your biggest fan. I love the way you always castle on your fourth move. Will you please sign my underwear?” (p. 145)

and Oz, the deliciously grumpy chess boffin Mal shares an office with.

“Hey, Oz.” Either Defne doesn’t notice his frown or she doesn’t care. “This is Mallory. She’ll take the empty desk.”

For a few seconds, Oz stares like he’s fantasizing about disembowelling me and using my large intestine to crochet himself a scarf. (p. 62)

Do I really think that a (blonde and beautiful, by the way) child chess prodigy is just going to drop all chess, but then remember all the fancy moves and still have all those brilliant chess chops, but not know much/anything about how the chess world works, including prize cheques? Lol, no. Do I care? Also no. Accept the premise, and enjoy this delight.

Age: 16+ (but see content info if unsure for your school)

Print: 347 pp.

Cover notes: Bit meh, but okay. It gives chess and romance, but no sense of its humour. Just skirt and hair being blown by a wind machine and a weirdly Charlie’s Angels-looking knight off to the right hand side—possibly symbolises more women in chess? Nolan’s clothes look two sizes too big. They are, however, clearly upending the chess world, with all those higgledy-piggledy pieces.

> Click here for content info. Spoilers—enter at own risk!

Main character is 18. It’s stated that Mal has had a lot of hookups, and one of these happens on the page early on (p. 65), but there’s really nothing to see. (This is literally it: “I hand him a condom, and then it’s hushed words, hurried movements, muscles clenching and releasing.”) Mal’s avoidance of real relationships is an important aspect of her characterisation. A healthy sprinkling of sexual references, including her sisters knowing about her being sexually active (their family is very sex-neutral). One or two passionate making out scenes later in the novel—there’s nothing explicit, but we know later that (off-page) sex has occurred. Plenty of swear words, mostly used in a humorous way. Drunk-driving leading to a fatality (off-page, backstory); parental infidelity (off-page, backstory); parental coldness and child emancipation (off-page, backstory); parentified teen; chronic illness (rheumatoid arthritis); grandparent with dementia (off-page, backstory); financial worries; friendship worries; family bickering, but also close and loving representations of families and friendships. Representation: mlw romances depicted; Mal is bisexual, with a brief & mild mention of an early wlw hookup; some non-Anglo minor characters.

*

Hazelwood, A. (2023). Check & mate. Sphere.

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