How It Ends

Contains spoilers

Summary

  • Mrs Elm, now older and residing at Oak Leaf Care Home, plays chess with Nora.
  • Nora visits Mrs Elm who appreciates the company, revealing that nobody else at the care home plays chess.
  • Nora is already booked with piano lessons and volunteering at a homeless shelter, but she pledges to spare one hour for Mrs Elm.
  • Mrs Elm acknowledges her loneliness and opens up about her personal life, revealing her regrets about her relationships with her family and past decisions.
  • Nora comforts Mrs Elm by reminding her of her kindness in school days when Nora was her student.
  • Towards mid-game, Mrs Elm takes a stronger position and Nora admits about seeing her lose the chess game to which Mrs Elm replies that uncertainty is the beauty of the game.
  • Nora leaves the game mid-way, reflecting about the pieces she can still use to change the course of the game.
© 2025 SparknotesAI