Love Chess? Read Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Check & Mate is Ali Hazelwood's first YA novel and it is so enjoyable. It was released today (11/7/2023). Check & Mate follows two chess players as they navigate through life. Mallory Greenleaf was an amazing chess player until something happened in her home life that caused her to stop playing. She started working with her uncle at his mechanic shop and changed her plans for college. She was making ends meet for her family when her friend needed her help with a charity chess meet. At this meet, she goes up against the current reigning Chess World Champion Nolan Sawyer. Nolan has been playing chess for years and people tell stories about him all the time. No one had beaten him in years and everyone wanted to see him lose. During the charity chess meet, he goes up against Mallory and their lives take a different direction. Check & Mate is a surprising novel taking on a nerdy topic where girls can dominate.

I did struggle with keeping some of the terms straight but the novel is fantastic. I enjoyed reading this novel so much. I devoured it and honestly want to read it again. The character development is fantastic. She did amazing again! Hazelwood knows how to draw us in using mainly male-dominated fields and show amazingly fun women being strong in that field. I love it and recommend her books frequently.

10 out of 10 from me!

Until Next Time!