Tani Plays Tennis Legend Roger Federer — And Wins All Chess Games

FM Tanitoluwa Adewumi, better known by his nickname Tani, continues to be in the news. This time he was recorded playing chess with none other than tennis star Roger Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion. The two met in picturesque Columbus Park in New York City and played three chess games.

Not surprisingly, the famous ChessKid Ambassador won all the games, even when giving Federer rook odds, which means one of Tani’s rooks was taken off the chessboard before the games began.

Federer playfully gives Tani a hug. Photo: Kayode Adewumi via Facebook.

Why Did Tani Play Chess With Federer?

Federer was in New York City to record several videos for “24 Hours with Roger,” a series about visiting his favorite cities around the world. Federer says that he loves New York because it’s a place to “surround yourself with new ideas and inspiring people.” Who can be more inspiring than Tani?

Tani’s story is well-known to most ChessKid members. Born in Nigeria, he left his native county for the United States with his family in 2017 to escape violent threats. After he joined a chess club at his elementary school in New York City, Tani rapidly learned to play the game and has been gaining trophies. Do you know that Tani is one of five chess prodigies that ChessKid recommends that you watch in 2023?

Tani's father, mother, and friends (left to right, standing) enjoy a lighter moment as another chess game begins. Image: Meeting of the Masters via YouTube.

Video With Tani And Federer

The video of Tani playing Federer is entitled “Meeting of the Masters.” It is very entertaining. Make sure that you watch it. 

Was Tani Nervous About Playing Chess With Federer?

Tani told ChessKid.com: “I wasn’t nervous at all.” In all three games, Tani established a very comfortable advantage early before checkmating Federer. Did the tennis star ever stand a chance to win? Federer says: “I don’t even think for a second.”

Incidentally, Tani has also met other famous athletes such as New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dallas Mavericks forward Grant Williams. By the way, Tani has played Williams (previously with the Boston Celtics as shown in the following video) “blindfolded” — and won.

Tani described Federer as “humble.” The young prodigy told ChessKid.com: “He is very humble, and I can say he loves me because he said he had read so much about me.”

Tani Inspires Other ChessKids

How Tani inspires other ChessKids is legendary. For example, Yana Watson, the mother of six-year-old Tiger Watson, who won four stunning games in the first-grade bracket of the U.S. Chess National K-12 Grade Championship last year, told ChessKid.com that they have Tani’s book and are reading it “almost every evening. Tani is a real inspiration for chess kids.”

Be inspired yourself and watch Tani on his regular ChessKid program, “Tani Time.” Check the ChessKid events calendar and plan to watch as he shows off his best games and tricks. Send a friend request to "TanitoluwaAps116" before the show to challenge him to a game! Watch past episodes of "Tani Time" here. You can also play against the Tani bot on ChessKid.com.