Amy Tan’s story “Rules of the Game” is literally concerned with the game of chess, at which Waverly Jong learns to excel. Tan’s figurative use of “games” applies mainly to Waverly’s ongoing conflict with her mother, Lindo. Waverly learns that she cannot win against her mother unless she plays by rules that Lindo understands. At the same time, however, Waverly retains an American understanding of competition, which is different from the views of Lindo, who grew up in China.

By the time that Waverly begins to learn how to play chess, she is already aware of the strong influence that her mother’s Chinese upbringing has had on her. Waverly is discouraged from behaving like an American child who whines and wheedles to get their own way. Although she finds it challenging to wait silently in order to gain what she desires, Waverly learns that this silence can be effective. Her mother compares it to the wind.

Although Lindo originally opposed her daughter’s playing chess competitively, she comes around. Waverly realizes that convincing her mother has much in common with playing chess. Silence and patience are crucial in both chess and the “game” of negotiating with one’s parents or, more generally, gaining what one wants from life. Although Waverly’s specific goals may be more American, such as competing in the male-dominated realm of chess, she can accomplish them by applying Chinese skills.