Check & Mate Summary, Characters and Themes

Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood follows Mallory Greenleaf, a young woman who has given up on her dreams to care for her family after her father’s death and her mother’s illness.  Once a chess prodigy, Mallory’s life is tightly controlled by financial pressures, family obligations, and unresolved anger linked to her father and the game she once loved.

When she unexpectedly defeats the world’s top player, Nolan Sawyer, at a charity event, Mallory is pulled back into the competitive chess world.  The story explores ambition, family responsibility, feminist resilience within male-dominated spaces, and a layered, slow-burn romance against the backdrop of competitive chess.

Summary

Mallory Greenleaf, once a talented chess player, has left the game behind to care for her family after her parents’ separation, her father’s death, and her mother’s worsening rheumatoid arthritis.  She works as a mechanic to pay bills, putting off college to care for her younger sisters, Sabrina and Darcy.

When her best friend Easton convinces her to play in a charity chess tournament for old times’ sake, Mallory reluctantly agrees.  At the tournament, she finds herself paired against Nolan Sawyer, the reigning world chess champion, and to everyone’s shock, Mallory beats him.

Mallory’s victory gains attention, and Defne, a Grandmaster who runs a Brooklyn chess club called Zugzwang, offers Mallory a paid fellowship to train as a professional player.  Initially, Mallory refuses, haunted by memories tied to chess and her father, but after being fired from her mechanic job and facing mounting bills, she takes the fellowship for financial stability while planning to keep emotional distance from chess.

Her training is strict, filled with study rather than just gameplay.  She struggles with the rigid structure but slowly begins to improve under Defne’s guidance.

When Mallory attends a chess tournament in Philadelphia, she faces sexism from top players like Koch but holds her ground.  She wins critical matches, even drawing a game against Koch with clever tactics, and is again set to play Nolan in the finals.

However, Koch uses an outdated rule about her doodling on a scoresheet to disqualify her.  Nolan steps in to defend her but ends up playing Koch himself, winning the tournament.

Mallory, despite the setback, receives prize money that helps her support her family and realizes that returning to chess might offer her a way to manage her responsibilities without giving up her future.

As Mallory continues competing, she finds herself crossing paths with Nolan repeatedly.  Their interactions reveal Nolan’s genuine interest in her as a player, and his calm demeanor contradicts her fears of him being an arrogant celebrity.

Their relationship evolves with unspoken tension and mutual respect, even as Mallory struggles with her fear of emotional attachments due to her past.  She learns that Nolan funded her fellowship anonymously, which initially feels like a betrayal, and she pushes him away, believing he manipulated her path to benefit himself.

Meanwhile, Mallory becomes a significant player in the chess world, gaining attention and proving her worth despite skepticism about her gender and her rapid rise in rankings.  She is chosen for the prestigious Challengers tournament in Las Vegas, where she faces Koch again.

Although she plays confidently and nearly wins, Koch defeats her with suspiciously advanced moves.  Later, it is revealed that Koch cheated using a hidden smartwatch, making Mallory the true winner and earning her a place in the World Championship against Nolan.

Feeling betrayed by Nolan and exhausted by her obligations, Mallory initially refuses to play in the World Championship.  Her family’s reliance on her has led her to suppress her desires, and tensions at home reach a breaking point when she explodes, accusing them of taking her for granted.

Her mother and sisters, in turn, help Mallory see that it is time for her to live her own life.  This support enables Mallory to return to chess with a renewed sense of purpose.

The championship takes place in Venice, and Mallory travels with her family, Defne, and Oz for the event.  The competition is intense, but the emotional confrontation with Nolan clears the misunderstandings between them.

They both acknowledge their feelings, and Mallory realizes she wants to pursue a future on her own terms while allowing herself to love the game and Nolan without fear.

During the World Championship, they play not just to win but to test each other and enjoy the game that once brought Mallory pain but now becomes a source of strength and connection.  The tournament symbolizes Mallory’s journey to reclaim her identity, embracing ambition while maintaining her relationships with her family and Nolan.

Two years later, Mallory has become the World Champion, and chess has become more inclusive and widely followed, partly because of her success and the public interest in her and Nolan’s relationship.  She is ranked fifth in the world due to her years away from chess, but she is ready to face Nolan again in the next World Championship, reflecting a future where she is free to pursue her goals, love chess, and find balance in her life.

Characters

Mallory Greenleaf

Mallory is the determined, self-sacrificing protagonist of Check and Mate, whose life has been shaped by family obligations, grief, and her fraught relationship with chess.  After her father’s affair and subsequent death, Mallory steps into the role of caretaker, shelving her own dreams of college and a scholarship to support her mother, who struggles with rheumatoid arthritis, and her younger sisters, Sabrina and Darcy.

She works tirelessly in a mechanic shop while hiding her longing for chess, a game she associates with her father’s betrayal but also with a part of herself she desperately misses.  Mallory is fiercely protective, guilt-ridden, and anxious about abandonment, often pushing people away before they can leave her.

Her cautious, practical exterior conceals a brilliant, instinctual chess mind, one she initially tries to keep distant, treating it only as a job to pay bills rather than a passion.  However, her re-entry into the chess world, her mentorship under Defne, and her evolving connection with Nolan force her to confront her fears, recognize her value, and begin prioritizing her desires, transforming her into a young woman who finally dares to claim space in her own life while holding onto the compassion and loyalty that define her.

Nolan Sawyer

Nolan, the enigmatic Grandmaster and top chess player in the world, is initially perceived by Mallory as intimidating, aloof, and the embodiment of her fear of toxic masculinity within the competitive chess sphere.  However, Check and Mate gradually peels back layers to reveal his vulnerability, kindness, and quiet determination.

Haunted by the trauma of his grandfather’s dementia and the intense pressures of fame, Nolan is a young man accustomed to isolation despite the adoration he receives from the public.  He is deeply dedicated to chess, viewing it as a pure and essential part of himself, which connects him profoundly to Mallory.

Nolan’s respect for Mallory’s abilities, his consistent kindness, and his willingness to admit his inexperience in relationships position him as a refreshingly genuine romantic lead.  He struggles with expressing his feelings directly but demonstrates his affection through small, thoughtful actions, like leaving comforting snacks outside Mallory’s door before her matches.

His funding of Mallory’s fellowship, while controversial, is motivated by admiration and a desire to nurture talent rather than control her, and his willingness to apologize and support her growth reflects his integrity and growth throughout the novel.

Defne

Defne, a Grandmaster herself and the head of Zugzwang, is a stern yet nurturing mentor figure for Mallory in Check and Mate.  She embodies the struggles and realities of being a woman in the male-dominated chess world, having stepped back from competition due to pervasive sexism, instead creating a supportive environment for young players.

Defne sees Mallory’s potential immediately and challenges her to take chess seriously, pushing her to move beyond instinctual play to study and refine her skills.  Her approach is pragmatic yet caring, balancing hard truths with encouragement, and she becomes a pivotal figure in Mallory’s transformation into a competitive player.

Defne’s protective nature, her advocacy for women in chess, and her nuanced understanding of what it takes to succeed add depth to her role, making her a powerful figure who believes deeply in Mallory’s potential while also serving as a mirror to what Mallory’s future could be if she lets her fears control her.

Sabrina Greenleaf

Sabrina, Mallory’s middle sister, embodies the tensions and unspoken resentments within the family dynamic in Check and Mate.  Often critical and dismissive of Mallory’s sacrifices, Sabrina reflects the complexity of a sibling relationship impacted by the family’s dependence on Mallory’s unacknowledged labor.

Her confrontations with Mallory, particularly around the idea of Mallory leaving to pursue chess, highlight Sabrina’s fear of abandonment and her own struggles with the family’s fractured structure.  However, Sabrina’s criticisms are rooted in her love for her sister and fear of change, and her eventual apology and recognition of Mallory’s sacrifices mark an important moment of healing for their family.

Sabrina’s journey underscores the importance of communication and shared burdens within families navigating illness and financial struggle.

Darcy Greenleaf

Darcy, the youngest Greenleaf sister, provides warmth, humor, and a reminder of innocence within Check and Mate.  She idolizes Mallory and is the first to piece together Mallory’s secret life as a chess player, displaying intelligence and curiosity beyond her years.

Her interactions with Nolan are endearing, as she welcomes him into their family with a natural ease that contrasts with Mallory’s caution.  Darcy represents the hope and potential that Mallory’s sacrifices help sustain, and her relationship with her older sister brings moments of lightness and genuine connection that ground Mallory during the chaos of tournaments and personal struggles.

Easton

Easton, Mallory’s best friend, serves as both a lifeline and a mirror for Mallory throughout Check and Mate.  She is a vibrant, supportive presence, encouraging Mallory to return to chess and providing emotional grounding during transitions, like before leaving for college.

Their friendship faces strain as Mallory’s reentry into the chess world forces her to confront her avoidance of emotional vulnerability, but Easton remains steadfast, challenging Mallory to embrace life beyond her fears and reminding her that it is okay to take up space and make mistakes.  Their reunion in Italy before the World Championship underscores the enduring nature of their bond and the importance of chosen family in Mallory’s journey of self-discovery.

Mrs. Greenleaf

Mrs.  Greenleaf, Mallory’s mother, is a resilient, quietly strong figure in Check and Mate, burdened by chronic illness yet fiercely protective of her daughters.

Her rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work, and she struggles with guilt over Mallory’s sacrifices, often attempting to encourage Mallory to pursue college despite their circumstances.  Her eventual candid conversation with Mallory about the family’s history and her reassurance that Mallory’s actions were not responsible for their hardships provide a turning point in Mallory’s healing, allowing her to release some of her guilt and consider her own aspirations.

Mrs.  Greenleaf’s acceptance of Nolan and her support during the World Championship highlight her deep love for her daughter and her willingness to adapt for Mallory’s happiness.

Themes

Family Responsibility and the Weight of Sacrifice

In Check and Mate, the theme of family responsibility and the heavy sacrifices it demands shapes Mallory’s choices and identity throughout the narrative.  Her life is dictated by the financial and caregiving duties she assumes for her mother, who battles severe rheumatoid arthritis, and her two younger sisters after her father’s death.

This responsibility leads her to defer college despite scholarships, working under-the-table jobs and shouldering the relentless pressure of unpaid bills, medication costs, and ensuring her family’s stability.  The tension between her desires and her obligations is constant, illustrated when she initially refuses Defne’s fellowship, seeing chess as a reminder of everything she lost and fearing any move that might destabilize the fragile structure she maintains for her family.

Mallory’s sacrifice bleeds into her identity, creating a sense of being indispensable to her family while also fostering resentment that she cannot express openly.  This tension escalates when her sisters accuse her of selfishness as she tries to pursue chess professionally, making her question whether she is truly allowed to pursue anything for herself.

Her breakdown, where she finally yells at her family about the weight of her unspoken sacrifices, becomes a pivotal moment, revealing the emotional exhaustion that accompanies silent endurance.  The theme is resolved gradually as her mother reassures her that Mallory deserves her own life and choices, reminding her that love for family does not require constant self-erasure.

This theme also explores how family obligations can feel like invisible chains, but the process of communication and the readiness to let others step in transforms these burdens into shared responsibilities rather than isolating weights.

Gender Bias and Sexism in Professional Spaces

Check and Mate sharply highlights the reality of gender bias and sexism within professional chess, a field dominated by male players who often undermine or sexualize women’s participation.  Mallory faces overt sexism, such as Koch’s comments questioning if her clothing choices influence her performance, and the casual dismissal from male players who see her as a novelty rather than a competitor.

Her experiences reflect how women in male-dominated spaces must navigate undercurrents of doubt, patronization, and objectification, often feeling compelled to work twice as hard for half the recognition.

Defne’s character deepens this theme by revealing her decision to leave competitive chess because of the relentless sexism she faced, emphasizing how the system is structured to marginalize women even when they have the skills to excel.  Mallory’s presence in high-profile tournaments becomes a symbol for change, as other players and audiences rally behind her, seeing her victories as victories for the visibility of women in chess.

However, even as she succeeds, media speculation reduces her achievements to potential romantic connections with Nolan, reflecting the societal tendency to link a woman’s success to a man’s influence rather than acknowledging her talent.

The theme underscores how these biases are not isolated incidents but systemic barriers that women must navigate, pushing them to limit their ambitions or second-guess their worth.  Mallory’s journey, from accepting the fellowship only for financial reasons to competing in the World Championships with the conviction of her capability, becomes a narrative of reclaiming space in a field that tries to edge her out.

It demonstrates the quiet, persistent fight required to claim respect and authority in environments structured to challenge women’s legitimacy.

Healing, Guilt, and Forgiveness

The undercurrent of healing from guilt and seeking forgiveness in Check and Mate is intertwined with Mallory’s history with her father, the affair that fractured her family, and the lasting impact of feeling responsible for the family’s misfortunes.  Her guilt over telling her mother about the affair, leading to the family’s financial and emotional struggles after her father’s departure, becomes a silent burden that informs her choices and reluctance to pursue her own happiness.

She distances herself emotionally, avoiding intimate attachments and adopting a mindset that her desires are less important than maintaining her family’s stability as a way to atone for what she perceives as her fault.

Nolan becomes a mirror for her internal conflicts, sharing his own guilt over his grandfather’s incident and how family trauma can feel like a personal failure.  Their conversations force Mallory to confront her inability to forgive herself and her father, realizing that holding onto guilt has only served to stunt her emotional growth and isolate her from the possibility of connection.

This confrontation leads to the essential realization that the chaos of her family’s past would have unfolded regardless of her actions, allowing her to see that she deserves to pursue her ambitions without being weighed down by misplaced responsibility.

The reconciliation with her mother and sisters marks a pivotal step in this healing, as they collectively acknowledge the pain they have all carried and the importance of moving forward without blame.  Forgiveness here is not portrayed as a singular act but a continuous process of accepting imperfection in oneself and others, allowing love and ambition to coexist without being overshadowed by guilt.

The theme demonstrates how true healing requires vulnerability, accountability, and the willingness to let go of the past to embrace what lies ahead with hope.

Identity and the Pursuit of Passion

Mallory’s evolving relationship with chess in Check and Mate illustrates the theme of identity and the pursuit of passion, exploring how a person’s talents and desires can be both a source of joy and a trigger for painful memories.  Chess is deeply connected to Mallory’s father and her childhood, embodying a time of familial closeness as well as the betrayal that fractured that world.

Her initial reluctance to return to chess is tied to her fear of reopening emotional wounds and the discomfort of facing a part of herself she has tried to suppress to function within her constrained reality.

As Mallory re-engages with chess through the fellowship, the tension between her practical motivations and her innate passion becomes clear.  Initially, she sees chess only as a means to financial stability, determined not to let herself enjoy the game to avoid emotional entanglement.

However, as she plays in tournaments, trains with Defne, and competes with the world’s best, she begins to rediscover the fulfillment the game brings her, reconnecting with the parts of her identity she has hidden away.

Her dynamic with Nolan further reveals how passion can transform into a calling, pushing her to confront the fear that loving something deeply means risking pain.  Mallory’s growth is evident as she moves from avoiding chess to playing Nolan in the World Championships, not for financial survival but for the love of the game itself.

This shift represents her reclaiming the parts of her identity she was forced to abandon, proving to herself that she can build a life that honors both her responsibilities and her passions.  The theme emphasizes how the pursuit of what makes one feel alive is not a betrayal of duty but a necessary act of self-affirmation, illustrating the balance between survival and truly living.