Rising Stars from Chess in the Slums Win Top Honors at International Chess Event

Young players from Chess in the Slums, a nonprofit led by chess master Tunde Onakoya, made an impressive impact at the 12th Annual Chess & Community Conference in the United States. These talented children, hailing from underprivileged backgrounds, showed off their chess skills on an international stage. Ferdinand, one of the team’s stars, was awarded the Young Genius Award for his remarkable performance, presented by actor Khary Payton. Jamiu emerged as the tournament’s best player, earning a gold medal and a $500 scholarship for his thoughtful essay on global citizenship. Ivie also stood out, winning a silver medal in the middle school category, while the entire team went undefeated throughout the tournament.

This year’s conference, themed “Future Forward: Game Changers,” focused on blending chess with technology, inspiring young minds through chess tournaments, robotics, and virtual reality activities. The team is now preparing for more competitions across the U.S., with stops at Athens, Georgia, New York City, and Harvard University as part of the Chess and Community Ubuntu Cultural Exchange.

See the incredible photos and touching stories from this life-changing tournament below.