Chess.com presents the NextGen Chess 2025 Cup on Thursday, February 6, 2025 live on Chess.com at 12pm EST. The tournament is free and can be streamed at https://www.chess.com/events/2025-nextgen-cup on the day of the event.

The NextGen Chess Tournament is the most competitive and exciting Black chess tournament in history. The event will feature ten of the most prominent players and personalities of the African diaspora. Among the confirmed players, fans will see boy-wonder FM Tani Adewumi. The young prodigy made headlines in 2021 after becoming the U.S.A.'s youngest master at 10, just three years after his family fled Nigeria. Another familiar face among the chess crowd is joining the event, IM Farai Mandizha from Zimbabwe. The streamer and Jedi master of chess will be putting his tactics to the test against a strong lineup of other masters. Adding to the list of well-known players joining the field comes the Nigerian national master and philanthropist Tunde Onakoya. Tunde is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit organization that uses chess as a tool to help marginalized children. In 2024, Tunde caught major media attention after breaking the record for the longest chess marathon, playing chess for 60 hours straight.

The tournament will showcase the top American Juniors and notable international talent from across the world. Legendary GM Maurice Ashley will provide expert commentary and insight alongside Chess.com’s IM Kassa Korley. Ashley and Korley will both serve as the main hosts of the event. Fans can also expect to see a number of very special guests joining the show, including Hollywood actor Wood Harris from "The Wire" and the "Creed" trilogy. The event will be a round-robin, where each player plays one game against every other participant. All games will be in the 10+2 time control.

The full player roster includes:
FM Tani Adewumi
FM Joshua Colas
NM Goodness Odey Ekunke
NM Tersee Ferdinand
IM Orlando Husbands
IM Watu Kobese
IM Farai Mandizha
NM Tunde Onakoya
GM Kenny Solomon
IM Justus Williams

About Chess.com
Founded in 2007, Chess.com is the world’s largest chess website, with a community of nearly 200 million members worldwide and more than 6 million games played daily. Chess is one of the most popular games globally and with that, Chess.com is committed to growing chess as a positive influence in the world, where every person can enjoy the game, connect with others and be accepted in the community. Chess.com was recognized by Fast Company’s list of Most Innovative Companies in 2024, as well as included on TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies in 2023.
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• February 6

  February 6, 2025
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