Forbes Honoree's 'Game-Changing' Chess Novel Tackling Gender Bias Gains Acclaim

Kyla Zhao brings her own experiences to life in her new novel May The Best Player Win, delving into gender inequality and stereotypes, captivating readers within and beyond the chess community.

“I just want to remind people that there are so much more than achievements,” Zhao told Chess.com. The 26-year-old Singaporean Stanford graduate, who has written for major magazines Harpers Bazaar, and Vogue, made Forbes Asia's 30 under 30 list, now works in Silicon Valley. She has received widespread acclaim within and outside the chess community for her novel for young readers.

Three-time U.S Women's Chess Champion IM Carissa Yip called it "a game-changer for readers of all ages" in Chess Life, while Chess.com's Ray Linville, in his review, said the book "may help to encourage a new generation of chess players, particularly young girls, as they confront the social challenges of gender bias."

"This book is more than just a chess novel—it’s a reflection of the challenges anyone faces when pursuing something they’re passionate about," NM Craig Clawitter wrote in his Chess.com blog.

May The Best Player Win centers on May Li, a determined and talented young chess player who finds herself at a crossroads in her life. May competes for a top spot on her school’s chess team while being forced to confront the strategic challenges on the board and the emotional and psychological battles within herself. 

Zhao told Chess.com that the inspiration for writing the book stemmed from her own experiences as a young chess player. She started playing when she was six and competed scholastically throughout elementary and middle school.

However, at some point, the pressure to succeed took its toll. “I stopped playing chess out of fun or enjoyment—I was really just playing to win. And at a certain point, I was playing to not lose,” she admitted. "I guess I could be considered a failure in the chess world, because I never made it that far."

I stopped playing chess out of fun or enjoyment—I was really just playing to win. And at a certain point, I was playing to not lose.

—Kyla Zhao

As the Washington Post recently highlighted in a detailed story, female players in chess have faced demeaning comments, bullying, and even sexual assault. Zhao says she felt the game was unwelcoming to female players, which contributed to her decision to step away from competitive chess by the end of middle school. She recounted an incident from when she was 11 years old that left a lasting impact on her.

“I was at a tournament and between rounds, I heard one boy tell his friend, ‘Oh, you’ll be fine; it’s a girl,’” she said. “It was the first time I realized that female chess players are perceived in a certain way,” she added. It was one of what she called a series of subtle and overt instances of bias that shaped her sense of belonging and fueled her performance anxiety.

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Zhao said she hopes the novel’s message will resonate with young readers, especially girls, by showing them that they are not alone in navigating the challenges. Asked by Chess.com how the game can be made more inclusive to girls, she said:

“It’s crucial to increase female representation not just among players, but also in roles like coaching, journalism, and streaming,” she responded. She highlighted initiatives such as girls' rooms at scholastic tournaments where young female players can connect and learn from female coaches. “Creating spaces where girls feel seen and supported helps change the perception that chess is only for men,” Zhao added.

Creating spaces where girls feel seen and supported helps change the perception that chess is only for men.

—Kyla Zhao

She also reflected on the impact of having female role models in the game. “Growing up, my coaches would often talk about the Polgar sisters and Hou Yifan,” Zhao said. “While these figures were inspiring, it also made me realize how few prominent female role models there were at the higher levels of chess. It was a double-edged sword—encouraging but also a reminder of the gender gap,” She believes a wider array of female role models can help young girls feel that success in chess is attainable. 

Her message with the book is not to let other people's opinions or your own doubts hold you back. “If you find something that you are passionate about, I hope that they continue to hold on to what brings them joy and excitement regardless of what anyone else might think. Don't make anyone question your love for something."

If you find something that you are passionate about, I hope that they continue to hold on to what brings them joy and excitement regardless of what anyone else might think.

—Kyla Zhao

Zhao says she was initially nervous about how the technical details of the book would be received by the chess community, but is pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response. “It’s been amazing to see readers from different ages and countries connect with the story.”

The May The Best Player Win author remains a chess fan, regularly playing blitz on Chess.com and reading stories about chess, in particular psychology. 

The next chapter in Zhao's life is currently being written, as she is working on her next book, set to release in 2026, which will delve into the world of two rival Chinatown gangs in the 1940s. For now, her focus is on promoting May The Best Player Win.

She has been invited to present it at the 2024 World Chess Championship, which she is excited to see in her native country. "Chess is becoming more popular and accessible for all people around the world thanks to technology. That is exciting to see."