A Grandmaster In Question: GM Larry Evans
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      It's not everyday that you can help a famous Grandmaster out, but that's exactly what happened in August of 1998. I had been reading the wonderful articles published in Chess Life, the official magazine of the United States Chess Federation. In GM Larry Evans article, he had posted a question concerning some cryptic Chess advice given in the major-tearjerker book "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan. For months no one could solve the riddle adequately enough to satisfy Mr. Evans. That was, however, until I decided to throw my hat into the debate.

      Here is a collection of the series of articles provided by the quite helpful staff at the USCF and GM Evans himself. Special thanks to Glenn Petersen for procuring Mr. Evans address. Very much appreciated!

The first reference is in Chess Life, December 1997, page 39.

JOY LUCK CLUB

Gary Russell
Melbourne, Florida

Q. In the Joy Luck Club Amy Tan created a minor character, Lau Po, who is a chessplayer. Some of the "secrets" he passed on to another player are: The Double Attack from the East and West Shores; Throwing Stones on the Drowning Man; The Sudden Meeting of the Clan; The Surprise from the Sleeping Guard; The Humble Servant Who Kills the King; Sand in the Eyes of Advancing Forces; A Double Killing Without Blood. What are the Western equivalents of these stratagems?

GM Evans: Beats me. If any reader can provide an answer, I'll be glad to share it with you.

The question was repeated in Chess Life, March 1998, page 15.

JOY LUCK CLUB

Gary Russell
Melbourne, Florida

GM Evans: Beats me. Double Killing Without Blood sounds like another expression for stalemate. If any reader can provide an answer, I'll gladly share it with you.

Finally in Chess Life, August 1998, pages 22-3.

JOY LUCK CLUB (Cont'd)

Arthur D. Rosenberg
Cresskill, New Jersey

Q. Last March a reader asked about Amy Tan's chess metaphors and I discussed it with my Chinese (Mandarin speaking) wife, who has read The Joy Luck Club. Here's our interpretations which, of course, are as speculative as the American born author's English language rendering of these expressions:

1. Double Attack From East And West Shores: simultaneous attack against kingside and queenside.

2. Throwing Stones On The Drowning Man (In The Well): exploiting an advantage, i.e., going in for the kill.

3. The Sudden Meeting Of The Clan: when two bitter enemies meet (a clash of force).

4. The Surprise From The Sleeping Guard: when a quietly positioned piece suddenly joins the attack.

5. The Humble Servant Who Kills The King: power of the pawn.

6. Sand In The Eyes Of Advancing Forces: a concealed attack.

7. A Double Killing Without Blood: probably not stalemate but rather a fork that forces resignation by threat of material loss and impending checkmate.

GM Evans: An interesting try, but James Yates submitted his interpretation:

1. Possibly a rook battery starting on the east and west sides of the board, maybe on the seventh rank.

2. If your opponent is on the run, keep him running, never let up, crush him.

3. I'm clueless.

4. Discovered attack!

5. A mating mattern where a pawn (or minor piece) delivers mate.

6. Counterplay.

7. Even trades.

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