The Transformative Power of Chess

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Tani's story is a remarkable account of how the game of chess and the chess community can play a significant role in transforming lives.

When Tanitoluwa Adewumi and his family fled Nigeria in 2017, he was seven. Fearing Boko Haram insurgents, Tani’s family sought asylum in the United States, and when they arrived in New York City they found their way to a homeless shelter.

Tani was enrolled in second grade at P.S. 116, where one of the teachers showed Tani’s class how to play chess. He was captivated by the game and urged his mother to ask if he could join the chess club.

When Mrs. Adewumi emailed the club to express her son’s interest, she explained that she could not afford the fees because their family was living in a homeless shelter. Chess coach Russell Makofsky waived the fees.

IMPROVING WITH PRACTICE

Tani started working chess puzzles and practiced chess on the computer in the evenings. On Saturdays he attended a free three-hour practice session in Harlem. He loved playing chess!

Within one year, Tani took first place in the K-3 section at the 52nd annual New York State Scholastic Championship. He was up against the best players in the state in his age group—several of whom came from schools with elite chess programs and private coaches.

TANI MAKING NEWS

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Then The New York Times picked up the story of Tani and his family. Several readers offered housing, legal, and educational support, and within a week the family moved out of the shelter into a modest apartment near Tani’s school.

Around that same time, a GoFundMe account raised more than $250,000 within a few days. With that money, the family has set up the Tanitoluwa Adewumi Foundation to help other African immigrants who are struggling in the United States.

Tani’s love for chess and his persistence in improving his skills brought opportunity to his whole family in ways they might never have imagined possible.

Read more personal stories here.