Wembanyama, who began playing chess at 7 years old, later proposed an "NBA players-only Chess tournament," with proceeds that go "to the charity of choice of the winner." In September, Wemby returned home where he held a chess competition with Stanford Cardinal forward, and fellow 7-footer, Maxime Raynaud.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama tangled with some of New York's greatest chess players. One is telling the story of playing Wemby.

Washington Square Park is a known spot for chess in New York — Bobby Fischer among others have famously played there, and it’s been a spot used for multiple movie scenes featuring the game.