Page 22 - IFV Issue 8 August 2026

Book Reviews

Checkmate Summer at the Spud: Two for the Road
BY BEN MEZRICH French Bakery BY JOHN VAN DE RUIT
BY JO THOMAS
In September 2022, the chess world It is 2004 and it’s make or break for Spud
watched in disbelief as Magnus A new adventure is on the Milton and his acting career. Having
Carlsen, widely considered the greatest menu… survived his ten-year school reunion
player in history, faced an unthinkable Juliet has learnt that life is too and avoided becoming a shareholder in
defeat against the nineteen-year-old short not to chase your dreams. a dubious wellness start-up company,
American upstart, Hans Niemann. When But when she buys an old he believes he is free and clear of the
Carlsen withdrew from the prestigious watermill in France, her tranquil Crazy Eight.
Sinquefield Cup and subtly accused new start is quickly kneaded into Spud and his creative sidekick Fox
Niemann of cheating, shockwaves hit something far more ambitious have their sights set on the National Arts
the chess community, igniting the when the local mayor offers her Festival to showcase their satirical sketch
biggest scandal in the sport’s history. a deal she can’t refuse: reopen show, Viper. Despite needing to dodge a
Checkmate dives deep into this the village’s derelict boulangerie. few potholes – including the up-ending
modern-day drama, tracing the parallel With a formidable rival – the of the Milton family dynamics, the
rises of Carlsen, the stoic virtuoso, and owner of the local bread vending unanticipated revival of a romance, and
Niemann, the fiery disruptor. Niemann machine – determined to crush an encounter with an officious car guard
denied the accusations, even as past her, Juliet faces disgruntled – Spud is all set to take his chances on
online cheating incidents surfaced, villagers, her own lack of baking the road less travelled.
while powerful entities like Chess.com, skills, and hidden secrets within He has not factored in Rambo’s
a billion-dollar online arena, became the mill itself. manipulative powers. The casual idea
entangled in the escalating controversy. But with help from her floated at the reunion weekend about a
As the scandal went viral, it became outspoken neighbour and the year-end backpacking trip somewhere
clear that more was at stake than a charming Tabac owner, Juliet in Southeast Asia has been elevated to
single game. battles to bring back the aroma an odyssey. What’s more, Spud has been
Checkmate is a story of ambition, of freshly baked bread – and with designated regional manager. If Rambo
genius and greed set against the it, the heart of the community. has a secret agenda, he’s not about to
backdrop of a once-niche game Can she prove that even the share it with the Crazy Eight. In what
exploding into a global, multi-billion- biggest dreams start with just a Spud has dubbed the Year of the Icarus,
dollar phenomenon. It’s a compelling little pinch of courage? the possibility of someone getting their
exploration of a world where tradition wings scorched is not to be dismissed,
collides with innovation, and a new but the lure of an all-expenses-paid
generation, forged in the digital age, exotic holiday is hard to resist…
threatens to upend everything.

20 • August 2026 • The Villager