About time you got home," said Vincent. "Boy, are you in trouble."

"Why do you have to use me to show off? If you want to show off, then why don't you learn to play chess?

My parents made many concessions to allow me to practice. One time I complained that the bedroom I shared was so noisy that I couldn't think. Thereafter, my brothers slept in a bed in the living room facing the street. I said I couldn't finish my rice; my head didn't work right when my stomach was too full. I left the table with half-finished bowls and nobody complained.

concessions

But I found it difficult to concentrate at home. My mother had a habit of standing over me while I plotted out my games