Some kids play video games. Some ride bikes. But at just 8 years old, Tanitoluwa “Tani” Adewumi was busy dominating chess tournaments—despite only learning the game a year earlier! In 2019, while living in a New York homeless shelter, Tani shocked the chess world by winning the New York State Chess Championship (K-3 Division) against kids who had been training for years. His ability to think 20 moves ahead set him apart, and this was just the beginning.
By age 10, Tani had won the North American Youth Championship (Under-12 Division), earning the title of National Master. A few months later, he became a FIDE Master, a prestigious honor in the international chess world. And in 2024, at just 13 years old, he won the U.S. Cadet Championship, proving he wasn’t just a prodigy—he was a force to be reckoned with.
But Tani’s journey is even more inspiring than his titles. His family fled Nigeria in 2017 after being threatened by Boko Haram, seeking asylum in the U.S. Despite hardships, Tani’s talent caught the world’s attention, leading to a book deal, a Hollywood movie adaptation, and, most importantly, a new home when his family was finally granted asylum in 2022.
Now, with an unstoppable spirit and a chessboard in hand, Tani is on his way to becoming a Grandmaster—and his story is a reminder that talent, hard work, and a little bit of belief can change everything.
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