The King’s Gambit!
Tanitoluwa “Tani” Adewumi burst onto the scene in 2019 at just 8-years-old, a Nigerian refugee who won the New York State K-3 scholastic chess championship while living in a homeless shelter. The media fanfare he received allowed him several opportunities since then, working hard to visit the Saint Louis Chess Club and becoming an author. Now, at just 10-years-old, Tani has become the newest national chess master.
Tani is a reminder: Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. He was lucky that his homeless shelter was near a school with a chess program. It waived the chess club fees for him. He’s also a reminder that refugees enrich our country (I say that as the son of a refugee).
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) May 2, 2021
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Recently, Tani broke the 2200 barrier at the Fairfield County Chess Club Championship tournament, defeating two experts, a master, and an International Master, to become the national master at the age of 10 years, seven months, and 28 days.
Tani is the 28th youngest person in the country to make master, joining the likes of IM Abhi Mishra, GM Fabiano Caruana, GM Ray Robson, and IM Carissa Yip. His Club Champion title and master rating now has the 5th grader breathing rare air. The 10-year-old dreams of one day becoming the world’s youngest grandmaster, and he is committed to reaching that goal, even during the middle of a pandemic.
I just loved this story of Tani Adewumi, a 10-year-old Nigerian refugee who’s already a chess master! He’s a reminder of the extraordinary potential within every young person—and our duty to help them reach it. https://t.co/Zc2FLvva6i
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 10, 2021
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Awesome story. Looking forward to the eventual movie. https://t.co/ZHMg1G3mOQ
— Trevin Hartwell (@tvhartwell) May 10, 2021
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Our….DUTY…To help THEM reach it ❣ https://t.co/elgbJBEpTl
— Lala11_7 (@Lala11_7) May 12, 2021
I ❤️ this story. https://t.co/MsFHaC6Yi3
— Gary Stewart (@garystew) May 10, 2021
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We’re wishing you the best of luck! Congratulations, Tani!
Photo Courtesy of @NickKristof/Twitter