May the Best Player Win - Kyla Zhao

A humorous and heartfelt MG debut about chess, girl power, and performance anxiety in elite sports.

Tick, toc . . .  Tick, toc . . . The clock is ticking for May Li, whose middle-school chess team just earned a victory at the state championship, kicking them into high gear in preparation for nationals. What’s more exciting for May is that her win came with a special award for being the top female player in the tournament. An award that earns her a spot on a splashy Lingard Middle School campaign celebrating student achievements.

May should be thrilled. But some of her teammates, including her supposed-to-be-friend Ralph, aren’t too keen on the special attention she’s getting—and they're even questioning her skills. Backed into a corner, but not one to back down, May makes a move: She bets Ralph she can win Lingard’s internal chess tournament and become team captain for nationals.

Under the pressure of her teammates and school’s expectations, May starts to crumble under pressure. Anxious feelings begin to take the fun out of chess and even affect her game. Now finding the joy in chess may be just what May needs to do in order to win the bet.

The board is set. The game is on! The crown is May's for the taking.

Published March 25, 2025
Ages 8+