The Tic-Tac-Toe Note: A Symbol of Emotional Compromise in Check & Mate

What Is the Tic-Tac-Toe Note?

The tic-tac-toe note is a handwritten game grid that Nolan Sawyer draws on a pamphlet from the German Chess Federation during the Chess Olympiad night in Chapter 14. When Mallory refuses to play a real chess match with him, Nolan proposes a round of tic-tac-toe instead, using the pamphlet as paper and a pencil. Mallory marks her moves with an O, Nolan with an X. They agree that each game win earns the victor a question of their choice—a twist that transforms a childish pastime into a vessel for personal revelation.

Where the Note Recurs

The note reappears in Chapter 21, when Nolan reveals he has kept it ever since their Olympiad encounter. He confesses to Mallory that he thought of her constantly after that night and that the note was a tangible reminder of their connection. By physically preserving the scrap of paper, Nolan turns a throwaway moment into a cherished object, one that quietly witnesses the growth of their relationship from a single, memorable game into something deeper.

How Its Meaning Changes

The tic-tac-toe note begins as a playful, almost absurd substitute for chess. Mallory, who has sworn off the game that cost her family so much, finds a way to engage with Nolan without breaking her vow. She laughs at the idea, calling it “worse than Candy Crush,” but still participates. The game’s low stakes let them lower their guards: Nolan asks his questions—like “What is the Challengers tournament?”—and Mallory learns about his world without the pressure of a high‑elo match.

By the time Nolan reveals he saved the note, its meaning has shifted. No longer just a sketch on a pamphlet, it becomes a symbol of emotional compromise. For Mallory, agreeing to play any game with Nolan—even tic-tac-toe—required her to trust him, to step away from the rigid boundaries she built around her life. For Nolan, keeping the note proves that his interest in Mallory was never merely about defeating her at chess. He wanted her company, her curiosity, her vulnerability. The note embodies the private language they created: a space where they can be playful, curious, and honest with each other away from cameras and rankings.

Character and Theme Connections

Mallory Greenleaf

Mallory uses the tic-tac-toe game to sidestep her ban on chess while still interacting with Nolan. The act shows her resilience and identity: she finds creative ways to connect without fully surrendering to the game that damaged her family. Her willingness to participate, despite her inner turmoil, also ties to vulnerability and trust—she lets Nolan see a part of herself that isn’t guarded.

Nolan Sawyer

Nolan initiates the child’s game not because he thinks it’s a fair contest, but because he simply wants to engage with Mallory. His choice highlights the theme of underdog vs. champion: here, the world’s top chess player willingly abandons his arena for a game of pure chance and conversation. The note he keeps later becomes proof of his vulnerability—a confession that his feelings for Mallory go beyond rivalry.

Themes Interwoven

• Sacrifice and Family Obligation: Mallory’s refusal to play chess stems from her father’s accident and her family’s financial struggles. The tic-tac-toe note allows her to connect with Nolan without betraying that personal sacrifice.
• Sexism in Chess: The note is a private escape from the public, male‑dominated chess world. In a novel where sexism in chess is a recurring challenge, this simple, gender‑neutral game becomes a haven for genuine interaction.
• Vulnerability and Trust: Both characters risk something: Mallory risks her emotional safety, and Nolan risks appearing foolish or sentimental. The saved note solidifies that trust.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Nolan propose tic-tac-toe instead of chess?
   Nolan knows Mallory has refused to play chess with him. Tic-tac-toe is a low‑stakes, non‑intimidating alternative that allows them to interact, ask personal questions, and build a connection without the pressure of a formal match. It also reveals his willingness to meet her where she is.

2. What do the questions exchanged during the tic-tac-toe game reveal about their relationship?
   The questions—Mallory asks about the Challengers tournament, and by implication Nolan’s world—show that both are genuinely curious about each other beyond the board. The game creates a safe space for curiosity and honesty, laying the foundation for the intimacy they later share.

3. Why does Nolan keep the tic-tac-toe note for months?
   Keeping the note demonstrates that the night meant more to him than a casual game. It symbolizes the beginning of his emotional attachment to Mallory and his hope that their connection will deepen. When he shows it to her in chapter 21, it is a vulnerable admission that she has been on his mind constantly.

4. How does the note connect to the theme of sacrifice and family obligation?
   Mallory’s refusal to play chess is directly tied to her father’s affair and subsequent accident, which devastated her family. The tic-tac-toe note lets her engage with Nolan without violating that promise to herself. It is a small, symbolic sacrifice of her rigid boundaries, one that eventually helps her reconcile with the game she loves.