In the short story “Rules of the Game” by Amy Tan, what motivates the narrator to excel at chess?

The narrator, Waverly, learns that success at chess gives her a kind of power: she can influence people and situations without openly showing her intentions. This connects to the idea of “invisible strength,” a lesson her mother teaches her. Her mother does enjoy Waverly’s achievements, but the story does not make trophies, family income, or teaching children her motivation for excelling.

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