Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

After reading this book , you might be tempted to learn to play chess. Ali Hazelwood does it again with a great rom-com that shows how a female who is able to overcome challenges, with help of those around her, can still find love. Mallory gave up chess years ago and is trying to take care of her mother and two younger sisters, when a financial opportunity comes her way all she has to do is go back to playing chess. Faced with the chance for financial relief for her family and facing bad memories that caused her to leave the world of chess behind, Mallory realizes that chess is more than just the bad memories she has and even makes new friends along the way. Mallory having a breakdown and yelling at her two younger sisters and mother, was my favorite part as it shows what stress she was under and how if the family had talked more Mallory would not have felt so guilty and her mom may have been able to ease Mallory’s burden.

Character List/Book Summary:

Mallory Greenleaf – just turned 18 and turned down going to college so she could keep her job and pay the mortgage for her mom and try and help her sisters. Had played chess until several years ago when she stopped playing because it was too painful. Was able to use some of her winnings to ease the financial burden on her family. Takes the fellowship at the chess club in the city, and realizes how much she likes playing chess again. Is upset Nolan did not tell her about the fellowship he funded.

Nolan Sawyer – just turned 20 and has not been beaten, has a reputation for being aggressive and a brat when he does not win (which has not happened in years). Surprises Mallory at her house after the Philly Open and wants to play chess with her again. His grandfather stabbed him due to his dementia and Nolan blames himself, because that caused him to be committed. Asks Mallory for help after she is beaten by Malte because he does not know how Malte beat her.

Sabrina – Mallory’s 14 year old sister who guilt trips Mallory about their father dying in attempts to get money for roller derby.

Darcy – Mallory’s 12 year old sister who keeps asking for an extra pet. Googles Mallory and Nolan to find out how they do at tournaments.

Easton – Mallory’s best friend, who struggles to stay in touch when she starts college. Encourages Mallory to take the chess fellowship and just 9-5 it so that she gets money and can become a certified mechanic for when the fellowship ends.

Defne Bubikoglu – manages the Zugzwang Chess Club in NYC and offers Mallory a fellowship. Grand Master chess player, and one of the few females who played against males in tournaments. Tells Mallory she was picked for The Challengers.

Archie Greenleaf – Mallory’s father, a Grand Master chess player, Mallory saw him cheating on her mom and told her mother. Died in a drunk driving accident, Mallory feels guilty over this.

Oz Nothumb – Mallory’s office mate, a Grand Master. Demands silence in the office and does not allow Mallory to eat in the car. Ranked 20th in the world. Starts talking to Mallory after her performance at the Chess Olympics. After her falling out with Nolan and Defne he comes to her and tells her to stop being selfish, Defne put her neck out for her and she at least owes Defne a response and not let Defne be hung out to dry.

Malte Koch – ranked 2nd in the world, rude to Mallory and very sexist. Oz dislikes him more than he dislikes Mallory. When he is accused of cheating to beat Mallory he goes on social media and says the only reason Mallory was given the fellowship and spots at the Open was because she is Nolan’s girlfriend and he asked for her to be there.

Emil Kareem – plays Mallory at the Philly Open, lost to Mallory but says he gets why Nolan keeps talking about her. Good friend to Nolan. Senior and NYU and asks Mallory to be part of the team going to the Chess Olympics.

Tanu Goel – Nolan hugged her after the Philly Open, part of the team going to the Chess Olympics. Has an on-again off-again relationship with Emil.

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