A Caucasian Man

Earlier in her childhood, a caucasian man poses Waverly and her friends in front of Hong Sing's Chinese café and then takes their picture.

The Fifteen-Year-Old Boy

In Waverly's first chess tournament, she squares off against a fifteen-year-old boy, who wrinkles his nose at her, obviously not impressed by the eight-year-old.

Bobby Fischer

In the story, Bobby Fischer—who in real life is the youngest chess player ever to be awarded the rank of grand master—shows up in a Life article next to Waverly Jong's picture, where he is quoted as saying that there will never be a woman grand master.

Lindo Jong

Lindo Jong, Waverly's mother, teaches her daughter and two sons the art of invisible strength, a number of Chinese wisdoms that can be used when developing strategies for winning arguments, respect, and in Waverly's case, the game of chess...