Wemby Shows His Moves on Chessboard

Victor Wembanyama has established himself as a force on the National Basketball Association (NBA) hardwood, but on Dec 28 he showed he can make moves on the chessboard as well, as the San Antonio Spurs centre took on fans at a park in New York.

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NEW YORK - Victor Wembanyama has established himself as a force on the National Basketball Association (NBA) hardwood, but on Dec 28 he showed he can make moves on the chessboard as well, as the San Antonio Spurs centre took on fans at a park in New York.

The 20-year-old Frenchman encouraged his followers on X to join him at Washington Square Park's famed Chess Plaza for some games and a few dozen did just that, despite rainy conditions.

"This is the biggest chess game of my life," one opponent said, while seated across from the 2.21m Wembanyama, who won the NBA's Rookie of the Year award last season and an Olympic silver medal with France in the summer.

"I was just feeling like it, and that's enough of a reason," Wembanyama said in a video on social media.

"It was a lot of fun. I lost against two pros but I won against my brother, so it was worth it," he added with a laugh.