Check & Mate, by Ali Hazelwood, is a witty and sweet read about rival chess players. Mallory Greenleaf has quit chess, and instead works as a mechanic to care for her mother and sisters. However, when given an opportunity to return to chess, Mallory finds herself matched up against world champion Nolan Sawyer in a charity chess tournament. When Mallory beats Nolan, she finds herself roped back into chess and has to deal with the complicated emotions she has for the game and her growing feelings for Nolan. This romantic comedy is both funny and surprisingly insightful, as Hazelwood explores sexism in chess and family struggles alongside the romance. I found the romance fun, and the side characters also added some funny moments to the book. Unlike other Ali Hazelwood books, Check & Mate is a young adult story, with some Gen Z references. Some of the references might date this book, and it is as predictable as any rom-com, but it was still an enjoyable and entertaining read.