THE QUEEN OF CHESS, and the POWER of Passion

 For many years in my teaching career, I was my school's designated CHESS QUEEN. Not because of any skill or aptitude. I know enough about chess to know how truly unskilled I am. But I also knew enough about chess to introduce new-to-chess eight- and nine-year-olds to the basics during their weekly "activity choice" gatherings after lunch. My qualifications include that I was the only volunteer for this topic. Thus, I was CHESS QUEEN in a very small kingdom. For eight Fridays in a row, my classroom became a hive of players ranging from those who knew more than I did about the fine points of chess to those who thought chess was checkers with fancy pieces. It was exciting to see how those who knew nothing gained ground week by week, and those who knew a great deal still grew- sometimes to find that they had mis-learned some elements of the game. All exited that quarter loving chess and finding interested partners. Each subsequent quarter a new group arrived, so that by the end of the year, every child had learned the basics of chess.

little bee books, 2023

THE QUEEN OF CHESS: How Judit Pogår Changed the Game is an artful and inspiring account of the woman who deserves that title on the world stage. The art by Stevie Lewis gives Judit the royal treatment from her earliest ages through each stage of life and on every page of competition or daily life. The illustrator captures the intensity and masterful mind behind this queen, one whose power of anaylsis, study, memory, psychology, and courage match the undeniable strength of the queen-piece on a chess board. Lewis also uses scene and image details to inform and explore the era of the late 2000's, as well as life in a seemingly typical Budapest apartment with a loving family. 

Author Laurie Wallmark has gained well-deserved acclaim for her thorough research and recounting of many noted women in math and science, some well-know and some lesser-known, including  SOPHIE KOWALEVSKI, THE QUEEN OF MATHEMATICS (reviewed here), CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER, (reviewed here), and GRACE HOPPER, QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODES (here) among other wonderful picture books, with more to come.

Wallmark's efficient and informative text captures the clarity of focus and high expectations Judit felt, powered by her own curiosity and competitive nature but also revealing the warmth of her chess-mastering siblings and parents. Just when I was wondering if perhaps her singular concentration on chess success might have been isolating, Wallmark and Lewis reveal her wide-ranging interests and playful approaches to the game she loved and mastered.

It is no spoiler to note that Judit achieved her goals, becoming national champion, and also the youngest chess grandmaster at that time, defeating long-reigning Bobby Fischer. Wallmark's back matter is a worthy read, providing a dated timeline/lifeline for Judit (still alive) and also a simple introduction to the basics of a chess board and how it relates to mathematical thinking. She makes the case in very few words that chess players and mathematicians share many thinking attributes and analytical skills, not to mention high level and social/emotional skills. 

As a chess queen of the lowliest sort, I add my praise to THE CHESS QUEEN and urge you to read it.  I strongly recommend that every child be offered a chance to learn chess. Some may find the magical fascination with it that marked Judit's life and success, but most will find it fun and satisfying to have unlock the secrets behind those squares and fancy characters. Once learned, the game and the thinking practices stay with you through life.

The queen has spoken!