Boy’s chess victory is also a big win for his family, helping them start a new life
NEW YORK — An 8-yearold boy’s victory as New York state chess champion will be his family’s ticket out of a homeless shelter.
The New York Times reported that Tani Adewumi won the state chess title for his age group this month even though he learned to play only about a year ago.
“I want to be the youngest grandmaster,” he told Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff.
Tani and his family have lived in a New York City shelter since fleeing Nigeria in 2017. The family feared attacks by the militant group Boko Haram.
Tani began attending the local elementary school, Public School 116, which has a part-time chess teacher, Russell Makofsky, who taught Tani’s class how to play.
Makofsky waived the program fees for Tani, and a year ago the boy took part in his first tournament with the lowest rating of any participant, 105.
His rating is now 1587 and rising fast. (By comparison, the world’s best player, Magnus Carlsen, stands at 2845.)
“It’s an inspiring example of how life’s challenges do not define a person,” said Jane Hsu, the principal of Public School 116, which held a pep rally to celebrate Tani’s victory.
Makofsky set up a GoFundMe account for the family after Tani won the championship.
Makofsky joined Tani on NBC’s “Today” show Tuesday and said that thanks to donations, the family is moving into an apartment.
Tani says he “felt surprised” by his win.