Tunde Onakoya Joins WR Chess Team For Hong Kong Championship

Nigerian chess player and coach Tunde Onakoya has been selected to represent the WR Chess team at the 2026 World Team Rapid and Blitz Championship in Hong Kong.

The tournament, scheduled to hold from June 16 to 22, will bring together elite teams from across the world to compete in rapid and blitz formats, featuring some of the sport’s top grandmasters.

Onakoya confirmed his selection in a post on social media, expressing excitement at the opportunity to compete alongside leading international players.

“I’ll be representing the WR Chess team at the World Team Rapid and Blitz Championship in Hong Kong… playing alongside some of the top players in the world,” he said.

The WR Chess team is regarded as one of the strongest in the competition, combining experienced grandmasters with rising talents in a mixed-team format.

Beyond competitive chess, Onakoya is widely recognised as the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, an initiative that uses the game as a tool for social development. The programme has impacted children in underserved communities across Lagos, including areas such as Makoko, Ikorodu, and Oshodi.

His inclusion in the tournament highlights both his growing presence on the international chess scene and the broader recognition of his work beyond the board.