Eddy's chess journey through wins and loses this year was very enlightening. 四十不惑，我想如果没有儿子 在象棋的大起大落，我也许永远也达不到不惑。Eddy started his chess journey last year by picking up a library book, thanks to his mom, who started to take our kids to the library since they were very little. After a summer's study, as a kindergartener, Eddy managed to beat all the kindergarten and 1st grade opponents in the Central New Jersey tournament, winning his first 1st place trophy.

After that, as a proud dad, I was unable to curb my the thought that my son was a genius. Although now that I think about it, it was a very dangerous path to go to.

So I gathered all the resources I can find to help Eddy to get to the next level. He surpassed all the kids in his school, including those two grades higher than him. all those kids were scare of playing Eddy because he was a very formidable player on the board.

After another 6 months of study, Eddy got 3rd place in Philly's Liberty Bell tournament, winning $167 prize money. It was a very tough game with top players, including adults, from the east coast. The top 2 players were all adults.

Then Eddy climbed to another peak by beating all his opponents in a Westfield tournament. His USCF rating became 1337, ranked top 30 among the 7 years old in the country.

My pride reached the peak. It was not a good thing. I was totally blinded by all the trophies and achievements. I wasn't ready for the downhill to come.

The following tournaments were mostly disasters. In a few of them, Eddy didn't win a single game. This reminded me of Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea. It was like being cursed.

To be honest, I had downs and ups in my life, but I have never felt so emotional on winning or losing. This went on and on for a few months. That was really the darkest moments of my life.

Eddy even lost to a weak Indian opponent who has always been scared of playing Eddy. But gradually, all the things I read from 老庄 和金刚经 suddenly made total sense. 我一直看不懂的寓言也 made total sense 了， 终于不惑了，人生完整了。

What's more important? winning or being happy? Even if Eddy managed to become a world champion so what? He still needs to worried about defending it. 在低处的想拼命向上爬， 在高处的怕被推下去。然则何时而乐耶？ 在林立的荣誉里能保持清醒，重要的是珍惜现在，每个瞬间 都会变成是美好的记忆。其实孩子在这个年龄重要的是教育他们在成功时不忘与他人分享。我叫 eddy 把赢的钱捐 10%给学校；更重要的是学会如何面对失败，笑面人生，宠辱不惊。学习象棋应该和庖丁 解牛一样吧，学的是道，而不是有所求。 回想我的四十不惑之年，最灿烂的不是 eddy 在奖杯前的笑 容，而是他在超市秤菜天真的样子，是儿女们万圣节在家门口的 pose, 是一家人无数美好的瞬间，这 些是永恒的。 I have no doubt eddy and Emma will do great in the future, surpassing their parents, no matter what they do.

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