Chess is a game full of unexpected surprises that can be both rewarding and disappointing. In chess, being perfect and winning all the time is impossible. Gordon Ruan was reminded of those truths yet again at this year's IHSA state chess tournament, as he relates in this first-person feature.

The Uni chess team entered last month's IHSA state tournament seeded second overall. What happened next was quite a rollercoaster ride: second place at the end of the first day, 11th when the tourney ended, and tops among small schools. Check out this audio slideshow as Andrea Park, Gordon Ruan, and Alex Zhai look back at the two-day event.