Thirteen-Year-Old Tani Adewumi Wins U.S. Cadet Championship, Nears International Master Title

Thirteen-year-old chess prodigy Tani Adewumi has once again made headlines by winning his first national title at the 2024 U.S. Cadet Championship. The tournament, which took place near Chicago, Illinois, featured some of the most talented U.S. juniors under the age of 16, all of whom were titled players.

Adewumi, who is affectionately called “Tani,” finished the tournament undefeated with a remarkable 6/7 score, two points ahead of the second-place finisher. His impressive performance not only earned him $1,000 in prize money but also a $10,000 scholarship for his college or university of choice, with $5,000 each from the Dewain Barber Foundation and US Chess.

The young chess sensation, who gained national attention after winning the New York State Championship while living in a homeless shelter just a year after learning how to play chess, has now completed the norms required for the international master title. With a current live rating of 2461 (2335 FIDE), he is just 14 rating points away from achieving this prestigious title.

Adewumi’s journey to success has been nothing short of inspiring, and his latest victory at the U.S. Cadet Championship is yet another testament to his talent and dedication to the game. As a ChessKid ambassador and host of his own show, “Tani Time,” he continues to inspire young chess enthusiasts to improve their game and reach new heights in the world of chess.