Chapter 17 Summary: Olympic Bronze and a Game of Tic-Tac-Toe

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

On the final day of the Chess Olympiad, Mallory's US team wins the bronze medal. She feels a genuine sense of belonging and happiness, surprising herself. After the ceremony, Tanu wants the team to give press interviews, but Mallory declines. Nolan backs her up by stating simply that she doesn't want to. A mysterious older man from the Challengers tournament approaches Mallory, complimenting her play and making cryptic remarks about Nolan having “ruined chess.” Mallory checks her phone and finds texts from Darcy and Defne. Later, Tanu organizes a party (“Skittles,” a bowling-chess hybrid) in the shared hotel area, where Mallory plays multiple blitz games with other competitors, including Ruhi Bandara. When she tries to leave for the night, Nolan stops her and asks to play. She refuses outright, but he proposes tic-tac-toe with stakes: each game winner may ask the loser any question. Over many games, Mallory asks about the Challengers tournament and why Nolan has never had sex; Nolan reveals he is a virgin. In turn, Nolan asks why she quit chess. Mallory admits she and her father were estranged for three years, a week, and two days before his death. Nolan presses her on why she pretends she doesn’t love chess, insisting she is exceptional. Mallory grows angry and demands to know what he wants from her. Before he can answer, Tanu and the others return with pizza, ending their game. Nolan says “good luck” and leaves.

Key Events

The US team wins the bronze medal in the Chess Olympiad.
Mallory declines a press interview; Nolan supports her decision.
A man from the Challengers tournament speaks to Mallory, calling her impressive and criticizing Nolan’s dominance.
Tanu organizes a celebration party where chess is played informally.
Mallory plays blitz with several competitors, including Ruhi Bandara.
Nolan asks Mallory to play; she refuses, then agrees to tic-tac-toe with question stakes.
Nolan asks why Mallory quit chess; she reveals her three-year estrangement from her father before his death.
Mallory asks about Nolan’s sex life; he admits he is a virgin.
Nolan insists Mallory knows she is exceptional and that she truly wants chess.
Mallory angrily demands to know what Nolan wants; the game is interrupted by Tanu’s return.
Nolan says “good night” and “good luck” before leaving.

Character Development

Mallory: Begins to feel part of a team and community. She opens up about her painful past with her father. Her anger at Nolan’s insight shows her internal conflict between her talent and her vow to avoid chess.
Nolan: Reveals vulnerability by admitting his virginity and his lack of interest in sex until recently. He demonstrates emotional persistence and a desire to understand Mallory, not just beat her.
Tanu: Acts as the social glue of the team, arranging the party and encouraging Mallory to participate. Her drunken enthusiasm underscores the team’s camaraderie.
Darcy: Though not present, her texts reveal her concern for Mallory and her playful, teasing friendship.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Chess as a substitute for life: Nolan articulates that chess provides a controlled world with rules—unlike real life—where Mallory can be “queen, king, knight.” This mirrors her desire for control.
Vulnerability through games: The tic-tac-toe game with question stakes forces both characters to lower their defenses and reveal personal truths.
Belonging: Mallory’s feeling of being “part of something” after the medal ceremony marks a shift from her isolated stance at the novel’s start.
The “Challengers” tournament: Introduced as a path to the world championship, it represents an achievable dream and the potential for Mallory to regain her chess career.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in Mallory’s internal journey and in her relationship with Nolan. It reveals the core emotional wound that caused her to abandon chess—her estrangement from her father—and shows Nolan’s genuine interest in her as a person, not just a player. Nolan’s admission of his virginity and his insistence on her exceptional talent deepen their intimacy. The chapter also plants the seed of a potential return to competitive chess through the Challengers tournament, setting up future conflict and possibility.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Mallory initially refuse to play chess with Nolan, and why does she eventually agree to tic-tac-toe? She refuses because she fears losing Nolan’s fascination—he became interested after her one win. She thinks if he beats her, she will become just another opponent. She agrees to tic-tac-toe because it is not chess, and she wants to avoid that emotional risk.
What does Nolan reveal about his sex life, and how does Mallory react? Nolan admits he is a virgin and has never had sex, adding that until recently he had no desire to. Mallory is surprised and momentarily flustered, but she respects his honesty and feels they are on more equal ground.
What does Mallory say about why she quit chess, and how does this connect to her father? Mallory states that her father and she were “distant” for three years, a week, and two days before he died. She implies that the estrangement, rather than his death itself, caused her to give up the game that they once shared.