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When I'm 64

By Tamara Palmer

Published on October 10, 2007 at 4:20am

Bay Area youth activists Adisa Banjoko and Leo "Blast" Libiran formed the Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) earlier this year, teaching kids life strategies by helping them overcome the challenges presented on the 64-square game board. The key to HHCF's success has been its creative approach. So far, they've held successful events from San Francisco to San Jose where children of all ages have had the opportunity to face off in matches with notable chess champs and hip-hop luminaries. The First Annual Chess Kings Invitational is the large-scale culmination of these sessions, a day of informative presentations and game play with special guests like Wu-Tang Clan members RZA and GZA and world champion chess player Josh Waitzkin (the inspiration for the book/film Searching for Bobby Fischer). All proceeds go to the Hip-Hop Chess Foundation Scholarship Program, which benefits local students and schools.
Sat., Oct. 13, 1 p.m., 2007