Waverly is a young Chinese-American girl growing up in San Francisco in the 1950s. Named after the street her family lives on, she spends her early years observing the bustling Chinatown community and following her older brothers around. Her natural curiosity and sharp observational skills lead her to discover a profound passion for chess. She practices relentlessly, studying the sixty-four squares of the board to find her place in the world.

Waverly's mother is a hardworking first-generation Chinese immigrant who manages a household with three children while cooking multiple elaborate meals a day. She possesses a sharp understanding of social expectations, often shifting her public demeanor to suit different situations. She operates as a silent force in her daughter's life. She clears domestic obstacles to give Waverly time to practice chess, while simultaneously imposing her own strict demands.

Vincent is one of Waverly's older brothers. He receives a used chess board from a church Christmas party, unwittingly introducing the game into the household. He initially tries to exclude his younger sister from playing before eventually losing interest entirely and returning to his outdoor games.

Winston is Waverly's other older brother who grows up alongside her in the 1950s. At the local Christmas party, he selects a replica of a World War II submarine as his gift. Like Vincent, he briefly attempts to learn chess before abandoning the board to play in the streets.