Magic Boy

by Michael Konik

WINNER of the 2024 Leapfrog Global Fiction Prize

Before he turns three-years-old, Little Misha Bloom discovers his special He's able to see black and white chess pieces in color, each type radiating a tell-tale glow. With the help of two old men – his Grandfather and his Grandfather's gambling buddy – he learns to play competitively, and within a few years he's one of the best young players in America. Coming to terms with his “abnormality,” Misha gradually learns how to engage with the world – adults, women, fellow chess nerds – and to accept his inexplicable gifts. With the aid of several peculiar acquaintances, he grows into one of the greatest players of all time, earning a shot at the 1993 World Championship, where the omnipresence and power of magic guides him to his destiny.

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2026

About the author

Based in Southern California, Michael Konik is a writer, composer, record producer, artist, improviser, former television personality, unusually articulate stoner, burgeoning thought leader and generally decent person.

Reviews

[Carine Fabius]

Another wonderful book by Michael Konik. I adored his book The Unexpected Guest and couldn't wait to dive into this one, which takes you into a far different world--that of Misha Bloom a magical boy who is able to master the chess board at a very early age. The book starts and ends with the buildup to his chess match against a world-renowned grandmaster, which keeps you turning pages to see what happens. There is a cast of truly memorable characters (eccentric, loving, wild, famous, and talented) that you love spending time with. I don't know anything about chess but I was engaged from beginning to end.

[Alli P]

I bought the book because I am studying chess. It was entertaining and a quick read.

[Bella Mahaya Carter]

If you're looking for a novel with heart, wisdom, and a touch of the mystical, I highly recommend Magic Boy by Michael Konik. While the story centers on Misha, a brilliant young chess prodigy, you don’t need to know the first thing about chess to fall in love with him. He’s a shy, deeply likable mensch from a warm, loving Jewish family, and I found myself rooting for him from beginning to end. What stayed with me most, though, was the novel's quiet spiritual magic—its recognition that there is an unseen dimension to life, one that gently shapes our experience in ways both mysterious and profound. A beautiful, uplifting read.

[Thomas Kelley]

First do not make the same mistake with this book like I did. I have some of authors other non-fiction books that were really good reads. When I started this book, I thought it was another work of non-fiction and obviously it is not. This is the story of Misha David Bloom who became the chess world's youngest ever world champion. At the age of four years old was not making friends, his friend or friends were chess puzzles. When other children his age were playing hide and go seek, he was master chess. At this age he regularly was beating his father and grandfather. When he did lose a chess match, he acted like a sore loser. It was interesting to read how he was not the only talented one in his family his brother was the youngest to be a Nobel prize and Emmy winner. It was amazing to read how Misha seen the board and chess pieces and how they spoke to him. But for me that was as far as the interest could go for me. The rest of the story reminded me of different versions of Alice in wonderland. But give it a read and see what you think.