of adults talking about him, but when well focused, I seemed to hover in an in-between state where the intensity of the chess position mixed with the rumble of voices, traffic noises, ambulance sirens, all in an inspiring swirl that fueled my mind. Some days I could concentrate more purely in the chaos of Washington Square than in the quiet of my family’s living room. Other days I would look around at everybody, get caught up in their conversations, and play terribly. I’m sure it was frustrating for my parents watching my early discovery of chess—there was no telling whether I’d chew gummy
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