The RZA Takes on Prodigies in Team Speed Chess

9Queens, a non-profit organization started last year by an Ivy League grad and a former National Chess Champion, hosted a team speed chess tournament Saturday, July 5th in New York City at the Chelsea Art Museum.


Teams of two squared off in 10-minute timed matches with teammates alternating moves.


Rap impresario and chessmaster the RZA came through, and teamed up with Jennifer Shahade - two-time Women's National Chess Champion and co-founder of 9Queens - to take on two N.Y. prodigies. Check it out:



9Queens is a national organization dedicated to providing chess education in low-income and impoverished communities. Also on hand was Wuchess.com, a social network for chess players that was launched earlier this year by RZA, and donates proceeds to the Hip-Hop Chess Federation.

Check out more photos from the 9Queens Knockout Invitational on flickr.

Chess players from I.S. 318, the 2008 Girl's National Chess Champions

Adisa Banjoko, founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation

Links:

• Tucson Q&A with Jean Hoffman
• Website for New Non-Profit, 9Queens, Launched
• Brooklyn Public School is Big Winner at National Championship