Tennis Icon Roger Federer Takes on Chess Prodigy Tani in Unforgettable Encounter

A renowned tennis champion, Roger Federer, finds himself seated across from an unassuming young opponent, who has already made a name for himself as a chess prodigy. It’s none other than Tani, the famous ChessKid Ambassador, also known as FM Tanitoluwa Adewumi. What unfolded between them during their recent encounter?

Also Read: Unveiling the Enigma of Grandmasters: Eligibility, Criteria, and the Esteemed List of Chess Grandmasters in India

Earlier this month, Tani and Federer engaged in three games. It might surprise you to know that Tani played with a handicap, having only one rook at his disposal, giving the tennis star an advantage. Here’s what you should know about Federer, Tani, and their captivating chess matches.

Does Roger Federer Play Chess?

Certainly. According to Ivan Ljubicic, Federer’s former tennis coach from 2016 to 2022 and a former world number-three himself, Federer is an enthusiastic chess player. Ljubicic shared that Federer enjoys playing chess to pass the time and keep himself engaged. He also stays abreast of the latest developments in the chess world.

How Did Federer Develop an Interest in Chess?

Ljubicic takes credit for sparking Federer’s interest in chess. He reveals that the 20-time Grand Slam champion witnessed Ljubicic’s unwavering passion for the game and became captivated by it.

Why Did Roger Federer Play Tani?

The games between Federer and Tani were recorded as part of Federer’s new video series, where he visits his favorite cities worldwide. His visit to New York City features four videos, with the game against Tani titled “Meeting of the Masters” as the highlight and most entertaining episode. This series, called “24 Hours with Roger,” follows Federer as he explores different cities for 24 hours at a time, while also promoting LifeWear, one of his corporate sponsors.

Was Federer Nervous About Playing Tani?

Undoubtedly. The seven-time Wimbledon champion admitted, “I haven’t been nervous in a while, not since my playing days. But I’ve never sat across a chess master, so today, well, I may be a little nervous.” On the other hand, Tani expressed his calmness, stating, “I wasn’t nervous at all.” It’s worth noting that Tani has also met other renowned athletes like Kayvon Thibodeaux, the New York Giants’ defensive end, and Grant Williams, the Boston Celtics’ forward. In fact, Tani played against Williams blindfolded and emerged victorious, as shown in a video.

How Proficient is Federer in Chess?

After spending 90 minutes with Federer, Tani shared his assessment with Chess.com. Tani believes that if he were to assign a chess rating to the tennis star, it would be below 1500. Tani explained, “I think Roger would be around 1300-1500. He can devise plans, which I believe is already at that level. However, his weakness lies in overlooking deeper ideas from his opponents.”

What Did Tani Think of Playing Against Federer?

Tani described Federer as a “humble” individual. The young prodigy expressed his admiration, stating, “He is very humble, and I can say he loves me because he said he had read so much about me.”

Did Federer Offer Any Advice to Tani?

Indeed. Tani shared that Federer advised him not to become overly proud of his achievements and assured him that he would continue to follow Tani’s career closely.

What Should You Know About Tani?

Tani’s remarkable journey has gained recognition among Chess.com members and has garnered international attention since the publication of his autobiography, “My Name Is Tani,” in 2020. Born in Nigeria, Tani and his family moved to the United States in 2017 to escape threats from a terrorist organization. After joining a chess club at his elementary school in New York City, Tani rapidly developed his skills in the game. He has been accumulating trophies ever since and, at the age of 11, earned his second IM norm, indicating a promising future in the world of chess.

Would it surprise you to learn that Tani is one of the five chess prodigies recommended by ChessKid to watch in 2023?

By the Way, Did Tani Defeat Federer?

Not only once but thrice, even with a rook handicap. In all the games, Tani swiftly gained a significant advantage and ultimately checkmated his opponent. Did Federer stand a chance of winning? He admits, “I don’t even think for a second.” For instance, one game concluded with Tani’s checkmate, as follows:

Tanitoluwa Adewumi vs. Roger Federer
1-0 Columbus Park, New York, July 2023

Reactions to the Roger Federer-Tani Games

Federer and Tani playing chess together. Beautiful to watch. I’m even more of a fan of Roger now that I know he plays chess! 😃 #Legendary https://t.co/2bw7ihiTrg

— Maurice Ashley (@MauriceAshley) July 15, 2023

what a crazy chess and tennis crossover🥺🎾♟️

also super well produced by @UNIQLO_JP @rogerfederer https://t.co/4zVimwmzmi

— Nemo (@akaNemsko) July 14, 2023