Nigerian chess in the slum convener and champion Tunde Onakoya, has been appointed the first Global Ambassador for WR Chess by CEO Wadim Rosenstein.

The duo bonded over shared humble beginnings during talks in Paris and a match mid-flight to Prague’s International Chess Festival, where Onakoya sold Rosenstein a custom Nigerian Adire chessboard for 10,000 euros.

The chess champion in a post on Sunday wrote on X;“I’m honored to share that I have been appointed the first Global Ambassador for @wr_chess

 This new chapter will take me across continents, promoting chess and impacting lives on a global stage from Africa, Asia, Latin America tour to a world record event in Peru in June.

“The CEO of WR Chess @WadimRosenstein has quietly supported the African chess community for four years. Together I believe we can achieve so much more for the chess world.

“We agreed to meet in Paris and travel to Prague for the chess festival. And for hours, we spoke about a global vision and a legacy for chess development and industrialization across Africa and beyond.

“One important thing Wadim and I share in common is we both came from nothing but chess opened doors we never imagined. Now we want to extend this to the world.

“I am proud to join the WR Chess family. Even more excited for what we will build together. It is possible to do great things from a small place.”

Together, they plan tours in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, culminating in a world record event in Peru this June, aiming to bring chess’s opportunities to kids everywhere.