“Tanitoluwa `Tani’ Adewumi rose to sudden stardom at age 8 for his striking chess skills: He beat 73 opponents and clinched the New York state chess championship for his division. At the time, in 2019, he was living with his family in a homeless shelter.
Nigerian chess prodigy, 12, granted asylum in the United States
Here is a “feel good’ story for the holiday season. Sydney Page in the New York Times reports that
Since Tani’s breakout state championship, his trophies have multiplied. At 10, he was named a National Master, and his current title is FIDE Master, a prestigious designation awarded by the international chess governing body. Along with his chess accolades, his life story became the subject of a book.”
The asylum process for the chess prodigy and his family was not an east one. Read the Times story for details.
Hat tip to Dan Kowalski for spreading the word about this amazing story.
KJ
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