Chapter 20 Summary: Mallory Takes on the Challengers
⚠️ 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
Mallory Greenleaf lands in Las Vegas for the Challengers tournament and is taken to the Westgate resort. A FIDE employee briefs her on press rooms and a daily food allowance, and she finds an invitation to a gala where the governor and the US ambassador to Azerbaijan are present. At the gala, Malte Koch insults her, but she retorts about her prior victory over him. She reunites with Tanu and Emil, who offer to serve as her seconds during the tournament. The next morning they meet at an IHOP to study opponents.
Mallory wins her first three games on the first days: against Thagard-Vork in eighteen moves, then Kawamura, then Davies. She gives a brief interview to CNN, stating she has no fear of Koch because she has beaten him before. After a strong start, she enters a slump: a draw with Petek, followed by draws and losses in the next games. She feels exhausted and doubts herself. Darcy sends encouraging texts, and a plate of soup and Snickers bars arrives at her room (likely from Nolan). Energized, Mallory beats Sabir the next day, setting up a final match against Koch.
Mallory struggles with loneliness and lies to her mother about visiting Easton in Boulder when she is actually playing chess. Later, she encounters other players in the hotel lounge. They ask her to beat Koch, revealing their deep dislike for him. They invite her to a Discord server and mention that Nolan declined an invitation. Petek apologizes for assuming she and Nolan are dating; Mallory insists they are not.
Key Events
- Mallory checks into the Westgate and receives a gala invitation.
- At the gala, Koch insults her; she fires back about her earlier win.
- Tanu and Emil volunteer as seconds, possibly encouraged by Nolan.
- Mallory wins her first three games (Thagard-Vork, Kawamura, Davies).
- She gives a CNN interview, denying a relationship with Nolan and taunting Koch.
- She enters a slump of draws and losses from day four onward.
- Darcy texts support; soup and Snickers are delivered to her room.
- Mallory beats Sabir, setting up the decisive match against Koch.
- She avoids admitting the truth to her mother during a phone call.
- Other players openly ask her to humiliate Koch and welcome her into their community.
Character Development
Mallory experiences a rollercoaster of confidence. She begins assertively, shutting down Koch and handling press, but her self-belief crumbles during the slump. Accepting help from Tanu, Emil, and Defne shows growing trust. Despite her success, she feels isolated and hides her chess life from her family. Her interactions with rival players warm her; she begins bonding with peers who share her dislike of Koch. Mallory’s denial of a relationship with Nolan underscores her internal conflict about his role in her life.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Isolation vs Community: Mallory lies to her mother and feels alone, yet she gradually joins a supportive group of players who dislike Koch. The IHOP meetings and the Discord server symbolize her integration into the chess world.
- Gender and Scrutiny: The press focuses on Mallory being the only woman; she must navigate sexist remarks from Koch and invasive questions about her private life.
- Competition and Mental Strain: The chapter highlights the psychological toll of tournament play—exhaustion, doubt, and the pressure of a high-stakes finale.
- Truth vs Deception: Mallory maintains a cover story for her family, even as her chess success becomes public. Her inability to share the truth strains her sense of identity.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter sets up the climactic final match between Mallory and Koch, the antagonist who has belittled her. It deepens Mallory’s emotional arc by showing her vulnerability and her growing support network. It also enriches the novel’s commentary on sexism in chess and the camaraderie that can exist among competitors. The chapter cements Nolan’s quiet support (through his seconds and the food delivery) without requiring his physical presence.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Mallory lie to her mother about her whereabouts?
Mallory is not ready to reveal that she has returned to competitive chess. She fears her mother’s reaction and the memory of her father’s downfall in the chess world. The lie allows her to compartmentalize her two lives.
2. How do the other players’ attitudes toward Koch differ from their attitude toward Nolan?
The players openly express hatred for Koch, describing him as arrogant and unsportsmanlike. In contrast, they respect Nolan (some say he used to be difficult as a teenager but is not like Koch), and they even wanted him in their Discord server. The distinction highlights Koch’s exceptional toxicity.
3. What role do Tanu and Emil play in Mallory’s recovery from her slump?
They provide strategic analysis and emotional encouragement during their IHOP sessions. Their detailed preparation helps Mallory defeat Sabir, and their presence reminds her that she is not fighting alone, restoring her confidence before the final match.