May the Best Player Win - by Kyla Zhao

Book Synopsis

The game is on in this fun-filled middle grade debut about chess, girl power, and performance anxiety in sports, perfect for fans of Kelly Yang and Celia C. Pérez. Now in paperback!

The clock is ticking for May Li, whose middle-school chess team just earned a victory at the state championship--and with it, a ticket to nationals. What's even more exciting is that May got an award for being the top female player and a splashy feature in the biggest chess magazine in the country.

May should be thrilled. But some of her teammates, including her supposed-to-be-friend Ralph, aren't too pleased with the 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 as bold as any of her chess tactics: She bets Ralph she can win the school's internal tournament and be chosen as team captain for nationals.

The crown is May's for the taking . . . except she's starting to crumble under the weight of everyone's expectations. Anxious feelings begin to affect her performance and, what's worse, eat away at her love for the game. Now May is left to wonder: Can you still play for fun when you're playing to win?

Review Quotes

Praise for May the Best Player Win:
An ALA Feminist Book Project Selection
A Mathical Honor Book

"A middle grade Queen's Gambit, May The Best Player Win is a realistic story of one girl's love of chess and her journey to rediscovering the love of the game...Utterly believable and inspirational, May's story will have you on the edge of your seat and you itching to play a game of chess!" --Graci Kim, New York Times bestselling author of the Gifted Clans trilogy

"Girls deserve to just have fun! Full of puns and emotions that had me on the edge of my seat, May the Best Player Win is an all-too relatable tale about how girls have to prove themselves over and over in boy-dominated hobbies." --Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times-bestselling author of Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor

"This book is a game-changer for readers of all ages, regardless of whether you play chess! May the Best Player Win captures the thrill of competition, the weight of expectations, and the sting of naysayers." --Carissa Yip, 2x US Women's Chess Champion & Women's Grandmaster

"Compassionate, empowering, and full of heart, May the Best Player Win reminds young readers that sometimes, the only limits on our potential are the ones we place on ourselves." --Rebecca Mix, New York Times bestselling author of The Mossheart's Promise

"May Li is the type of fierce, loveable, larger-than-life heroine who stays with you long after the story ends. Readers will root for May and her friends from start to finish in their epic journey to nationals!" --Katie Zhao, author of Last Gamer Standing and the Winnie Zeng series

"The chess games are thrilling...and the book's valuable life lessons will speak to anyone who's lost their love for a pursuit. An emotionally intelligent work that explores socially relevant themes." --Kirkus Reviews

"Digestible chess strategy breakdowns and terminology scattered throughout serve as an approachable introduction to the sport." --Publishers Weekly

"[Zhao], who is a former competitive chess player, addresses gender bias, self-doubt, and anxiety in this riveting story." --The Week Junior

"A fierce yet tender narrative [that is] rich in emotions and facts... A top recommendation for young readers." --Tatiana Flores, Women's World Chess Champion for People with Disabilities

"A great read for almost any age group! It offers the opportunity to discuss critical issues such as gender and culture... [I] look forward to more books like this by the author!" --Jerry Nash, Chairman of International Chess Federation's (FIDE) Chess in Education Commission

"Kyla Zhao's novel convincingly portrays chess players and their emotions and makes the reader care about these characters... May the Best Player Win is a winner." --Dr. Alexey Root, 1989 U.S. Women's Chess Champion and author of United States Women's Chess Champions, 1937-2020

About the Author

Kyla Zhao is the author of the adult novels The Fraud Squad and Valley Verified. She had her first women's magazine byline at the age of sixteen. Since then, she has also written for the Singapore editions of Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and Tatler. A native Singaporean, Kyla now works in Silicon Valley after graduating from Stanford University in 2021. In 2023, Kyla made Forbes Asia's 30 under 30 list. She's still trying to understand why Californians adore hiking and Patagonia fleeces so much. May the Best Player Win is her middle-grade debut.