Checkmate UA

Mallory Greenleaf had left chess behind after the game brought turmoil to her family four years ago. With responsibilities to her mother, sisters, and providing for them through her job, she had no room for chess in her life. Yet, for a friend's sake, she returned to the board for a final appearance in a charity tournament, only to face off against Nolan Sawyer, the reigning world champion. To everyone's astonishment, Mallory, an unknown contender, managed to defeat the celebrated Kingmaker. Although she could have simply taken her prize and departed, the allure of victory rekindled her passion for chess and opened the doors to lucrative opportunities. Unexpectedly, she found herself captivated by Nolan Sawyer, not just for his renowned strategic brilliance but for something unspoken that drew them into a game that extended beyond the boundaries of chess itself.