Tanitoluwa Adewumi, a 10-year-old prodigy, captured the hearts and attention of many in March 2019 when he won the New York State chess championship for his age group. The Nigerian-born refugee was homeless and often practiced his chess moves on a New York shelter floor. Now, Adewumi has a home and accomplished his goal of being a U.S. National Chess Master.
New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof covered Adewumi’s story for the publication two years ago, when he was only 8. His family allegedly fled from Nigeria in 2017, fearful of an encounter with a Boko Haram member.
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According to the article, the Adewumi family settled in New York City but had no place to live. After moving into a shelter and attending a local elementary school, Adewumi picked up the game from a part-time chess teacher. Soon enough, the young child was so interested in the game that he begged his mother to enter him into a chess program.
After winning the New York State championship in 2019, Adewumi received a player score of 1587. For reference, The Economist reports that well-seasoned Grandmasters score above 2500, while beginners are typically at around 800.
Remember Tani Adewumi, the Nigerian refugee kid I wrote about 2 years ago who won the NY State chess championship while in a homeless shelter? Now well housed (thanks to you readers!), he just won a championship and is officially a National Chess Master as a 10-yr-old 5th grader! pic.twitter.com/mbDCAGiFHb
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) May 2, 2021
Offering an update on the chess champion, Kristof tweeted Saturday that Adewumi has officially been named the U.S. National Chess Master after competing in a Connecticut championship. “Remember Tani Adewumi, the Nigerian refugee kid I wrote about 2 years ago who won the NY State chess championship while in a homeless shelter?” he wrote on Twitter.
“Now well housed (thanks to you readers!), he just won a championship and is officially a National Chess Master as a 10-yr-old 5th grader!” Grinning from ear to ear, the young professional posed for a picture with his two well-deserved trophies.
Kristoff also revealed that Adewumi now boasts a score of 2223, ranking the elementary school student with top chess professionals.
