Chessboxer by Stephen Davies

Leah is struggling after losing her beloved father. Chess, a sport she excels at, means nothing to her anymore. Until she comes across chess boxing, a dangerous sport combining chess with boxing. Here's the rush she's been looking for. But is it too dangerous for her?

The book is well written so that complete novices in both sports can still follow along; I know a bit about chess and nothing about boxing and still knew what was going on, more or less. (Still not sure what a sac is.) I thought Leah was very impetuous, and it can't all be blamed on grieving because even two years later she's the same. It works for the story, of course.


It's a good read for someone looking for a more complex story. AND, there's no romance! We need more novels without romance.

Leah Baxter is a genius. She's a few wins away from becoming a junior chess grandmaster, and her life is on course to achieve everything her mom and coach want for her.

But Leah is at stalemate – grieving for her father, and feeling suffocated. She decides to make the ultimate sacrifice and quit chess. But chess doesn't want to quit her. Soon Leah discovers her new gambit: chessboxing, a dangerous hybrid sport which will test her body and mind to their limits. Can the pawn become the queen?