The Last Checkmate
“True freedom comes from bravery, strength, and goodness. The only one who can take those from you is you.”
Saab’s debut, The Last Checkmate, is not only an immersive and haunting WWII story that told the story of a young girl who relied on strength and strategy to survive the concentration camps, but it is also a story about resilience, determination, love, and friendship.
Synopsis: Maria is many things: daughter, avid chess player, and member of the Polish underground resistance in Nazi-occupied Warsaw. Captured by the Gestapo she is imprisoned in Auschwitz, while her family is sent to their deaths. Realizing her ability to play chess, the sadistic camp deputy, Fritzsch, intends to use her as a chess opponent to entertain the camp guards. However, once he tires of utilizing her skills, he has every intention of killing her. Befriended by a Catholic priest, Maria attempts to overcome her grief and see the value in survival. Literally playing for her life through four grueling years, her strategy is simple: Live. Fight. Survive. By cleverly provoking Fritzsch’s volatile nature in front of his superiors, Maria intends to orchestrate his downfall. Only then will she have a chance to evade the fate awaiting her and see him brought to justice.
As she carries out her plan and the war nears its end, she discovers Fritzsch has survived. And so Maria, vowing still to avenge the murder of her family, challenges her former nemesis to one final game, certain to end in life or death, in failure or justice. If Maria can bear to face Fritzsch—and her past—one last time.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
Saab did a phenomenal job bringing each of her characters to life in this story. They captured my heart and I found myself immersed in their struggles and journey. At times I even felt like I was fighting and willing them to survive as if I was with them in the camps.
I also found myself fully captivated with Maria as I followed her life through her entire stay at Auschwitz. It was interesting to have an inside look at what she and others had to do to survive the horrors of daily life and how friendships and hope were still alive. Saab did a phenomenal job balancing the ugly terror with the beauty of love, faith, and determination.
Did the author do their research?
I could not get over the extensive Author’s Notes at the end of the book. Saab gives details of the real historical figures and the miscellaneous facts that applied to the story. I appreciated how she made it very clear where she took fictional liberties.
What was the pace?
Steady with a few fast spots. I found myself constantly turning the pages to see what would happen next.
Do you recommend this book?
I enjoyed this compelling and at times suspenseful story and look forward to Saab’s next publication.
Thank you William Morrow for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
