It is one of the top places to study in the world, a seat of learning renowned for educating some of the brightest minds in history. But Harvard University’s reputation has never been tested against FM Tani Adewumi and IM Alice Lee!

ChessKid’s two superstars, aged 13 and 14 respectively, are set to take on the talented college students from Harvard Chess Club in a friendly over-the-board hand and brain match next week.

Earlier this year Alice, then aged 13, made history when she became the youngest female American ever to earn the IM title. Tani’s story is also amazing. He first hit the headlines in 2019 when he won the New York State K-3 Chess Championships aged eight while living in a homeless shelter. Since then he has rocketed up the ratings. Both are regulars on ChessKid.

But Harvard’s team will be no pushover. Representing the university’s impressive chess club will be its co-presidents WGM Jennifer Yu, the 21-year-old two-time U.S. women’s champion, and the 19-year-old fencing FM from Ohio, Chris Shen. It’s going to be quite a battle!

The format will be many games of hand and brain chess as the players can play over the course of 90 minutes. Hand and brain chess is a chess variant in which each color is played by two people, with one of them (the “brain”) announcing the piece they want to move, and the other person (the “hand”) then deciding where to move the piece.

This fun variant can lead to some crazy situations, as the “hand” and the “brain” try to stay on the same wavelength. It’s not only about talent and tactics, but also teamwork!

This match may only be a friendly, but Harvard’s reputation is on the line and no doubt Tani and Alice will be wanting to get one over on the older students!

Harvard vs ChessKid will take place on November 15 at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT and broadcast live on Twitch.tv/chesskid and Chess.com/tv. IM Kassa Korley and Collegiate Chess League Commissioner Joe Lee will be in the commentary box.