Tani Adewumi, a 10-year-old Nigerian refugee, is now a Chess National Master in US 3 May, 2021 08:06 AM 3 minutes to read Tani Adewumi has become a Chess National Master at the age of 10. Photo / GoFundMe news.com.au By: Belinda Palmada Tani Adewumi is only 10 years old but he has just become a Chess National Master with a rating of 2223. It is an incredible achievement for anyone at that age, but made even more stunning by the story of the Nigerian refugee and his family. Tani first made headlines when he won the New York State chess championship at the age of 8, after playing the game for only a year, while living with his refugee family in a homeless shelter.