Playing Chinese chess is the old Beijing's' entertainment and pastime. Though the summer is hot in Beijing, there are a lot of people who play Chinese chess under the trees.
The fans don't care about the time and the location, when they are free, they will combat the skill. The master of the stall of repairing the bicycles is also a fan. Look at him, he combats with others when he doesn't finish his job, but the custom can get the well-repaired one in time. Maybe it is a way of enjoying oneself.
There is no customs in the little restaurant at two or three o'clock p.m., and it is the weekend, so the host and the custom play chess at the gate of the restaurant to be of amusement.