Chess Queens: The True Story of a Chess Champion and the Greatest Female Players of All Time

Chess Queens is a book that chronicles the real-life story of a female chess champion who traveled the world to compete in a male-dominated sport, facing sexism and an incredible history of top female players. It explores the competitive world of chess, the rivalry and camaraderie, the ecstatic highs and the excruciating losses, and the glamour and hard work. The book also features profiles of the top female players from around the world, including the Polgar sisters, jet setters, and players who escaped war-torn countries to become champions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

For fans of "The Queen's Gambit," this is the incredible real-life story of a female chess champion who traveled the world to compete in a male-dominated sport with the most famous players of all time.

Jennifer Shahade, a two-time US women's chess champion, embarked on a remarkable journey throughout her teens and twenties, traveling the globe to play chess. Her tournaments took her from Istanbul to Moscow, introducing her to players from diverse countries like Zambia and China. Despite the ultra-male-dominated nature of the sport, Jennifer encountered shocking sexism and an often overlooked history of top female players. However, she also found profound friendships, feminism, and hope.

Through her captivating story and in-depth profiles of pioneering chess players, Jennifer invites us into the fiercely competitive world of chess. She showcases the intense rivalry, camaraderie, exhilarating highs, and excruciating losses. She delves into the glamour and hard work that characterize this sport. Jennifer also shares personal accounts, including instances of gender discrimination and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field.

Intertwined with Jennifer's journey are the stories of top female players from around the world. We meet the legendary Polgar sisters, three Hungarian girls who became child prodigies, and the glamorous jet-setters who travel the world while pursuing their chess careers. We also learn about players who escaped war-torn countries to become champions against all odds.

"Chess Queens" is a captivating exploration of the exhilarating world of chess and an essential read for aspiring chess queens today. It sheds light on the historical significance of female players and their contributions to the sport. Jennifer's story inspires and empowers, reminding us that gender should never be a barrier to pursuing our passions and achieving greatness.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 242 x 160 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399701372