Hip-Hop Chess Federation Launches Summer Camp on Chess and Entrepreneurship

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Launches Summer Camp on Chess and Entrepreneurship

Non-profit bridges gaps between music, business and technology

San Jose, CA 6/9/2014- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation(HHCF) is proud to announce that it will be hosting its annual Summer Camps. This summer the camps will be held at Ocalla Middle School starting June 16 and will run for 8 weeks . Camp programs include classes Chess, Entrepreneurship Camp,  Hip-Hop Dance and Cheerleading.

It is well known the some of Silicon Valley and Hip-Hop have chess as a common theme in their life.

Thanks to the generosity of the City of San Jose Safe Summer Initiative Grant, the HHCF is able to drop the price of the camp from $295 a week to a low price of $99 a week. This grant will help some kids attend who might not have been able to otherwise. The HHCF works to ensure that learning the game of kings is not reserved for only the economic elite.  

“Our chess camps stay full because they are more than  just becoming a chess champion” stated HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko. “Chess teaches kids how ideas followed with the right planning and action make you victorious. Our methods teach young people the connection between chess, life and education strategies. We are really excited about this years entrepreneurship camp where participants will develop skills to help them become the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. Throughout the camps we will bring in will bring in company founders and start-up Silicon Valley executives to host guest lectures on topics such as business strategies, chess and more”.

The camp for K-12th grade encourages local schools and community members to participate in this summer camps. The $99 fee provides each camper with materials for camp activities and for those registered by June 13, a free camp T-shirt.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Parents should contact Crystal Silva atcamps@hiphopchessfederation.org, if finances are a concern.

About Hip-Hop Chess Federation: The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is the first nonprofit 501(c)3 to fuse music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence. They host celebrity chess events and panels of life strategies for at-risk, gang impacted and gang intentional youth. Artists like RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, chess master Josh Waitzkin, actor Emilio Rivera,  Immortal Technique, Asheru, Zion I, DJ Qbert, Dilated Peoples, Hieroglyphics and many others have participated in their events. Founder Adisa Banjoko has presented at Harvard University and World Chess Hall of Fame on how chess, martial arts and music promote peace in the streets. Visit their official website at www.hiphopchessfederation.org.

WATCH: New Video by The Chessmen introduced by RZA (kids get your parents permission)

New Video by The Chessmen !!! Kids get permission from your parents....It has some explicit lyrics. Nevertheless it shows the connection between chess and Hip-Hop like nothing else in recent years.

Chess and the Art of Business

Chess and the Art of Business

By: Adisa Banjoko

                               Top business chess players include Peter Thiel, Danille Rice, Seth Bannon

About a year or so ago I gave a short keynote speech to a group of  300 high school  kids interested in entrepreneurship at San Jose City Hall. Since it came out, different people have asked me some of my thoughts on the connection between chess and business.

When teaching the HHCF Life Strategies program to teens I always highlight the fact that rappers like RZA,  Jay Z, 50 Cent and Will Smith love the game of chess. I remind them that these guys are not consumed with chess mastery as much as using the game to master their emotions and stay focused on options. I teach them how concepts like “divide and conquer” and “win first, then seek battle” can apply to almost any team sport or business endeavor. Ideas from Sun Tzu and Machiavelli work on the chessboard as well as the boardroom.

The connection between chess and business is not new, but it’s also not very often explored deeply. Like many other aspects of the world chess touches it sits on the sidelines of the American consciousness.

In 2005 the Harvard Business Review interviewed chess icon Garry Kasparov about his thoughts on business and chess. Anatoly Karpov put out a great book a few years ago called Chess and the Art of Negotiation. It’s a great look at how the psychology of combat plays a role in business decision making. The main thing to consider here is that one not need be a Grandmaster or Master to understand and use these ideas for your own business. You only need to play consistently and pay attention to the reasons behind your losses and victories.

Here are some thoughts I had about how chess and business are alike, specifically to the chess pieces on the board.

    This set is designed by Studio Anne Carlton Chess follow them on Twitter @SACchess

King=CEO:

Creates the vision for the entire company. This is where the core ideas, values and purpose arise. Kings have the lion's share of the ideas and inspiration but very little of the ability to actualise everything in its totality. This is the person who essentially creates the brand. But brand building is the root of so much else that needs to be actualized. This is why the other pieces on his team are so important. Without a king there is nothing to fight for, he is priceless.

Queen= Investors/Board of Directors:

The queen is the defender of the Kings vision. and economic model for maximum profit. They survey all the terrain ahead and map out the grand strategy for actualizing the kings vision. A king without a queen is always doomed. A CEO without his board and investors support and resources is also doomed.  

Bishops = Business Development

These are the people who understand and live the brand's philosophy and use angles of differentiation and positioning to gain advantages for the company. They are the key evangelists for the brand. They know their lane and stay strong in it.

Knights = Outside Sales

These guys jump directly into the fog of war to go head up with the competition, and do battle in the name of their king. You have to respect them because of their fearless devotion to the brand's mission. Their work in the field makes them indispensable as a resource for information for Bishops and queens. They move in unorthodox ways at times, but always work well with Bishops and Knights.

Rooks= Inside sales.

These guys take the vision of the product directly to other industry leaders. Its their job to look forward and hit people straight up with the value of the company. Philosophically, the rook also symbolizes those of in depth knowledge of the product and purpose of the company.

Pawns= The daily workers that make the entire operation happen:

This word pawn often gets overused to represent the simple underling. This is a huge mistake. Pawns outnumber every other piece on the board. Their unity spells disaster for the opposing team. They are usually the first to hit the battlefield and sacrifice themselves for the sake of the king. Those that survive and cross to the other side can gain the power of the queen.Their ability to work together is the root of victory for the kings empire.

Now enjoy your day, and go have a good game with a few friends!!

Adisa Banjoko is the Founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation 501(c)3. Learn more by following the official HHCF Instagram @realhiphopchess

HHCF SUMMER CAMP SIGN UPS!!! Get in now, they get packed up fast!!

Every Summer kids and parents from across The Bay Area are thrilled to join HHCF Summer Camps. We provide chess instruction as well as innovative ways to boost self esteem, and creative expression. JOIN TODAY: http://hiphopchessfederation.org/index.html

Chess and Jiu-Jitsu: Destruction of A Guard

Chess and Jiu-Jitsu: Destruction of A Guard

By: Adisa Banjoko, Founder of Hip-Hop Chess Federation  

I play chess, but my past is checkered/ The mic and I are like staff and sheppard/ When I apply science, my maths perfected, gotta move with proper tools for task selected - Ka, Peace Akhi

In the interest of furthering the discussion on chess and jiu jitsu, I wanted to share a reflection I've given thought to for quite some time. I find the connections between chess and jiu jitsu fascinating to the mind and enlightening to my heart. The interconnectedness between these arts and sports has given me much genuine inspiration over the years.

Recently I have been combing through tons of old DVD’s and  of VHS of classic jiu jitsu matches from the late 1990's. I’m talking about early matches with legends like Roleta, Marcio Feitosa, Mario Sperry, Terere, Jacare, Saulo Ribero, Fabio Gurgel, Gordo- all the OG’s. Its really exciting to observe how certain techniques disappeared while others stay or evolved. I have to assume that looking back in chess history certain evolutionary themes rise and collapse over time. Nevertheless some elements never will never die.

In chess, there is a theme called Destruction of a Guard (or removing the guard). Essentially it’s a tactic where you focus on attacking the pieces that are protecting the bigger pieces you are going after. Maybe its a knight in front of a queen you hope to capture. There might be two pawns and a rook preventing you from getting to the king. The process of capturing those pawns and rook, or getting them to move off of the squares they are on- is destruction of the guard.

Jen Shahade has a great chapter on this topic in her amazing book Play Like A Girl.

When people watch MMA and BJJ, there is a correlating physical position call “the guard”. Traditionally it's called "the closed guard" where one person is on their back (with a person on top of them, who is attacking) but the person on the bottom has both of their legs wrapped around their opponents torso. This takes a lot of mobility away from the person on top and leaves them vulnerable to direct attacks and reversals. For the person on top, until he or she gets past the person on the bottoms legs, it will be almost impossible to win. They must “destroy the guard”, commonly referred to in BJJ as “guard passing.”  I should note that there are many guard variations outside of the closed guard including "open guard", "butterfly guard", "X guard" and "rubber guard" among others. Each have their own nuances that turn every match into a positional  minefield (much like chess).

The jiu jitsu player on the bottom wrapped his legs around his opponent's torso securing the closed guard.

Here are some easy to understand examples of the countless elements of guard passing in jiu jitsu.  Jason Scully also has a cool video about guard passing that shows you many of the positional variations  when passing someone's guard. Having clarity in the full balance of power within the position, understanding threat assessment and your opponents  potential counters are key. Destroying the guard on the chessboard or the mat can be tricky at best, dangerous every time and if done without full focus- absolutely fatal.

A secondary theme in the concept of “destruction of a guard” in jiu jitsu is when one opponent is on top (after passing the guard and transitioning to the mount) and is trying to secure an armlock. However, his/her opponent (knowing they  are in danger of tapping out soon) defends the armlock by grabbing their opposite arm, or gi to prevent hyperextension of the elbow joint. Ryron and Rener Gracie have a fantastic presentation on various tactics people use to defend the armlock. Their video is a perfect illustration of the destruction of a guard.

Womens MMA sensation Ronda Rousey breaking the defending grip of her opponent to finish the armlock.

Without question the parallels between chess and jiu jitsu are as numerous as the potential moves within the two arts. I will post more on this relationship soon. Feel free to email me about your thoughts on chess and jiu jitsu at bishop@hiphopchessfederation.org!

Rapper Kalhi from Street Games Vol 1 Drops New Round 1 Mixtape !!!

When the HHCF dropped the Street Games Vol. 1 Mixtape with DJ Rob Flow, there was a huge positive response around the world. Nobody expected a profanity free mixtape to be so lyrically aggressive and educational. Rapper Kalhi, based in Geneva Switzerland had arguably one of the mixtapes most standout tracks with A Technical Flow which featured UFC Coach Ryron Gracie. If anyone had any questions about the connections between Hip-Hop, chess and jiu jitsu- he answered them!! Kalhi recently dropped a new mixtape called Round 1 which you can download right now! In the tradition of Gangstarr, Nas and others he gives his heart to the mic. Its a very impressive mixtape in terms of its production and lyrical content (though kids will want to get their parents permission). In this interview we talk about the impact rap had on his life, being raised between The Bay and Geneva, his love for martial arts and his plans for the future.

Where are you from.and what are your earliest memories of rap?

I was born in Berkeley California. My father is from the Bay Area but my mother is from Geneva 

Switzerland. When I was a few months old, my parents decided to move to Europe, so that’s 

where I grew up until moving back to the Bay at 18.

My earliest memory of rap was when I was about 5-6 years old. A friend of the family got me 

my very first album as a gift, it was Mc Solaar (french rapper who you might know from a Guru 

feature back in the day). No turning back ever since… 

I understand you learned English from Tupac and Nas albums? Is that true?

Yeah in a sense that’s true. I definitely got the basics from my father speaking to me in english 

as a child, but the way I talk and especially the way I rap was molded from listening to Pac and 

Nas mostly for sure. That’s why I can say that in a sense I learned a lot of my english through 

hip hop and movies. 

What else have you learned through Hip-Hop?

I really feel like Hip Hop was my third parent in a sense. I was conscientious enough as a kid 

to pick the right artists to listen to, but I learned so much I wouldn’t be able to list any particular 

thing. Hip Hop IS part of me, and who I am period. Hip Hop helped raise so many kids, and I 

was no exception. 

Tell me about your latest project?

I have a mixtape coming out at the end of january 2014. It’s been a LONG time coming! I’ve 

been rapping for about 14 years on and off, but never took it seriously until last year. This 

project is my “baby” in a sense. This one sets the bar for what’s to come this coming year for 

sure.

You also have a history with martial arts. Tell me about that.

Hip Hop and Martial Arts are the two main pillars in my life. If you want a common denominator 

to anyone I have met and done business with or anything in between for that matter, you can 

literally trace it back to either Hip Hop or Martial Arts (specifically Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu). 

I started my Martial Arts journey when I was 6-7 years old with Judo…then stopped after a 

couple years to play soccer (like every kid in Europe), but got back into it with kung-Fu when 

I was 11. From there, I heard about Muay Thai when I was 14 and never looked back! Fast 

forward to 2007 when I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the Cesar Gracie Fight Team. Since then, 

I’ve been training mostly Jiu Jitsu, but was also teaching Muay Thai at Jake Shields MMA gym 

while I was a student at UC Berkeley.

You got a huge response from the CTRL Industries ad. Did you expect that?

To be honest I didn’t really know what to expect. But one thing I knew for sure is that it’s really 

difficult to mix rap with a certain “sport” and not make it sound all corny and wack…so I do feel 

like I was able to bridge the gap between hip hop/chess/and martial arts on that one song pretty 

nicely, while still keeping the true essence of Hip Hop intact.

Any last words?

I want to thank all the people who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I want to thank 

my family and girlfriend for always being there for me, and my close friends as well. I also want 

to thank everyone around me who’ve been supporting me from day one, they know who they 

are.

Download his new mixtape Round 1 at www.kalhimusic.com 

Q&A with Hip Hop Chess Federation founder on partnership with East Bay schools

By: Juan Martinez

What do hip-hop music and chess have in common? The answer is simple according to Adisa Banjoko, the founder of the Hip Hop Chess Federation (HHCF), a non-profit organization that combines music, chess and martial arts to help young people promote nonviolence in their communities.

The art of rap and the game of chess are extremely competitive and difficult to master. In a game of chess, two people battle each other by making strategic moves on a board that has 64 squares. In a rap battle, two artists seek to display mental superiority, using similar survival strategies to a chess player, except that they duel with the wittiest rhymes to win.

Although Banjoko’s traveled all over the country organizing community outreach events, the Bay Area holds a special place in his heart. Banjoko once lived in Oakland and was a part of the ‘90s Bay Area hip-hop music scene. Currently, he is teaching chess and life strategies to students at Encinal High School in Alameda through a partnership with his friend John Fuentes, who oversees the after-school high school program for Bay Area Community Resources (BACR). From now to the end of this school year, Fuentes’ goal is to have Banjoko teach chess at several Oakland high schools as well.

Read the full story: http://blog.sfgate.com/inoakland/2014/04/11/qa-with-hip-hop-chess-federation-founder-on-partnership-with-east-bay-schools/

Join HHCF Drive to Open Community Center!

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is attempting to launch a community center where the elements of Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts can be taught full time! To learn how you can help visit CROWDTILT.COM , #donate and #share with other folks you know. Thanks in advance for the support!!

LISTEN: HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko Featured on New Zealand Radio National

I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Kathryn Ryan of Radio New Zealand National about the deeper social/political environment that gave birth to the fusion of chess and Hip-Hop. I think, you will like it. Her questions were seriously thought out and well framed.
LISTEN:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2589225/feature-adisa-banjoko-hiphop-scholar,-chess-player

Happy Birthday Flavor Flav!!!

    Happy birthday to the one and only FLAVOR FLAV!!!!
   L-R: HHCF Educational Dir. Arash Daneshzadeh, Flavor Flav, Chuck D and  HHCF's Adisa Banjoko

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Expands to Oakland High Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PR Contact: 

memg@hiphopchessfederation.org

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Expands to Oakland High Schools

HHCF Teams with B.A.C.R. to Offer Chess & Life Strategy Classes to East Bay Youth

Oakland, CA, 3/4/14-  The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) will begin teaching Chess and Life Strategies classes to teens in Oakland and greater Alameda County later this month. The HHCF is the first 501(c)3 to fuse music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence. Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) has brokered a partnership with HHCF to bring their innovative approach to chess and life to youth and teens across the greater East Bay. The first classes will begin at Encinal High School in Alameda.

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Founder, Adisa Banjoko stated “Our plan is to teach the universal themes of music, and chess to the youth.  We know the fusion of those help promote the teaching the value of nonviolence. We are are honored to have this new alliance with Bay Area Community Resources. John Fuentes of BACR is a visionary in the world of Hip-Hop and education. The HHCF is happy to have this opportunity to help heal the climate of violence for the children of Oakland and Alameda County.”    

The HHCF recently announced its award winning chess program is expanding to Santee Education Complex, in South Central Los Angeles. Two weeks ago actor and rapper RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan won the HHCF’s Chess Kings Invitational tournament in Anaheim.  FULL AUDIO OF RZA’s talk with Sons of Anarchy star Emilio Rivera and members of LAUSD about the merits of chess and music for at-risk and gang impacted teens  can be heard in its entirety at The Journey Podcast .Rappers Immortal Technique, Zion I, T-KASH, The Jacka, Dilated Peoples, DJ QBert, Mike Relm and many others from the Hip-Hop community participated in HHCF community outreach events. The HHCF has been featured in Forbes, Chess Life, Good Morning America and the NY Times for their innovative approach to chess.

John Fuentes, High School After School Program Manager for Bay Area Community Resources stated “I am excited to begin a formal partnership with the Hip-Hop Chess Federation. I have known Adisa Banjoko for many years. Having had an opportunity to bring him and the HHCF into my after school program is amazing. The HHCF offers young people the opportunity to critically think, strategize, problem solve, anticipate and develop the necessary skills to navigate their high school education and navigate through life.

In related news, the HHCF recently released Street Games Vol. 1 hosted by DJ Rob Flow and A-Plus of Hieroglyphics. Street Games Vol. 1 is a profanity free mixtape about the connections between Hip-Hop Chess and martial arts. It includes A Technical Flow by Kalhi feat. UFC coach Ryron Gracie,  64 Squares in the Cipher by Sunspot Jonz, Zumbi and Rakaa Iriscience, The Chess Clock by Quadir Lateef and Jasiri X, and The Maurice Piece, a tribute to the first Black Grandmaster of chess, Maurice Ashley.

For more information on Hip-Hop Chess Federation visit www.hiphopchessfederation.org or follow @realhiphopchess on Instagram.