DEDIKÁLT - Polgár Judit: Alma and dark dominion

During their struggles the protagonists have to prove their bravery and wit. While fighting their adversary the teenagers must become aware of their own strenghts and weaknesses, learn to analyze and plan their own actions, appreciate and trust each other.
During the adventures several (not extremely challenging) chess riddles are to be solved by the main characters. These are deeply embedded in the dramaturgy of the novel: some riddles can be used as maps, others function as codes for secret doors or show the heroes which way to take.
The most exciting part of the book is the final battle between the protagonists and the Dark Lord of the Chess Empire. The movements of the two armies and the fighting itself make the whole chapter the dramatic climax of the novel. However, this is not a randomly made up battle scene. The moves are identical with those in the famous chess game between Judit Polgar and Viswanathan Anand (who a few years later became the World Chess Champion) that took place in 1998 in Dos Hermanas, Spain and ended in Judit’s victory.
Chess players can follow the game step by step in the appendix of the book. On the other hand, it is not necessary at all for the readers to be chess players in order to enjoy the novel. Alma, the main character of the first part of the series (who is a master of chess) always explains the solution of the riddles, while her friends help her find the connection between chess and life.
In Hungary Alma became very popular. Some months after its publication it has already become recommended reading in schools for 6th or 7th graders.
​Illustrated by Barbara Bernát

Take a peek inside this book!
https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/Alma-excerpt.pdf

A Berg Judit-díjas író és minden idők legjobb női sakkozója, Polgár Judit összefog, hogy meséljen a fiatal olvasóknak egy kicsit a sakkról, de sokkal többet a kalandokról, a barátságról és az életről.

A szerzők már megtapasztalták, hogy semmi sem fekete-fehér, semmi sem történik a sakktáblán, sem az életben, nincs abszolút jó vagy abszolút rossz.

Az olvasónak nem kell tudnia sakkozni. Alma barátai sem tudnak sakkozni. Nélkülük Alma mégis kudarcra lenne ítélve.