Mallory Greenleaf has turned her back on chess. The game that tore her family apart is now just a painful memory, overshadowed by her responsibilities to her mother, her sisters, and a dead-end job. However, her resolve wavers when she reluctantly agrees to participate in a charity tournament, only to unexpectedly defeat the infamous “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer, the reigning world champion and chess’s resident bad boy.

Nolan’s unexpected loss to Mallory raises eyebrows and sparks confusion, especially when he expresses a desire for a rematch. Despite the sensible choice being to walk away, Mallory finds herself drawn to the challenge and the potential cash prizes it offers. Yet, she grapples with keeping her family shielded from the game’s tumultuous past.

As Mallory ascends the ranks once more, she finds herself grappling with conflicting emotions. Despite her initial disdain for chess, her passion for the game reignites. However, the spotlight shines brighter than she anticipated, and the competition, including Nolan himself, proves to be not only fierce but also captivating in unexpected ways.