Hey everyone! I’m Samson Ofubu, popularly known as Zlater (or Zlatics if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of my tactics 😅), and I’m super excited to be here and officially kick off my Hive journey!
Before I dive into my story, let me say a big thank you to the legends that made this post possible:
Massive shoutout to @samostically , the man who’s always showing up for people, connecting dots, and pushing others to grow. You’ve done that for me more times than I can count.
Also grateful to @stayoutoftherz for helping me get set up like a pro, and to @aliento for the RC support that made this very post a reality. You guys are Hive heroes. 🙌🏾
🧒🏾 How I Found Chess , or Maybe How Chess Found Me
Growing up, I was the typical “strict African home” kid ; no hanging out, no unnecessary outings. Life was boring. My escape was the school’s computer room. I loved computers, and I loved my computer teacher even more.
One day, during break time, that same teacher brought out a chess board and taught a few of us how to play. It was like magic. I picked it up with my older brother and a couple of friends , soon, every break time was a chess battle in the computer room.
We felt ready for war , or so we thought. Our first tournament came, and let’s just say we were NOT the dream team. In fact, we were the weakest on the team, and had to beg to even be included. Predictably, I finished last. My brother was second-to-last. 🥴
But something changed after that embarrassment. The fire lit up.
📚 From Losing to Leveling Up
It was the holidays, and we didn’t want to go back to boredom , so we begged our coach to lend us a chess board and a book. And then, we locked in.
Every. Single. Day.
We played, studied, argued, improved. That holiday transformed us.
By the time school resumed, we were destroying the same teammates who beat us before. I was just 10 years old when I won the Femi Badejo Tournament and became the strongest U-10 player in Nigeria. That feeling? Unmatched.
I slowly became a force to reckon with clearing ALL within my reach, I can't count how many medals and trophies I have/had when I was very young and even now!
🌍 From "little beginnings" to the World
Since then, chess has taken me far beyond that little school computer room.
• I’ve won countless medals and trophies at tournaments all over Nigeria , from university games to national opens.
• I’ve competed in countries like the United States, Malawi, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and more.
• I’ve peaked at 2050 FIDE and have over 2500+ rating across all time controls on Lichess.
But chess is more than trophies for me. Without it, honestly, I’d probably be lost , maybe even depressed. Chess gave me purpose, discipline, and direction.
🛠️ Building Through Chess — Giving Back with Purpose
That’s why I chose not just to play chess, but to build platforms and opportunities through it.
I’m a Tournament Director with Chess in Slums Africa, working closely with the visionary Tunde Onakoya and an amazing team of passionate volunteers. We go into slums : like Makoko, Oshodi, Ikorodu , and uncover raw chess talent in kids and help them find their place in the world. We have a lot of success stories and we eventually plan to reach and help as many children as possible. It is just day 1
It’s not just about the game , it’s about changing lives, one pawn at a time.
We’ve sent kids to school, connected them with mentors, and shown them that greatness can grow from anywhere.
I also work with the Gift of Chess, an organization with a crazy dream of giving 1million chess sets to people for free- in a bid to promote chess! I'm the Nigerian Ambassador
🎓 Education + Life Outside the 64 Squares
Outside chess, I’ve worn many hats:
• 🎓 I have a Diploma in Computer Science and a B.Sc. in Quantity Surveying
• 💻 I’m transitioning into tech, currently learning and building as a Frontend Developer
• 🪙 I’m also a crypto trader, so best believe Hive caught my attention fast , I’m not just here for vibes; I understand value and opportunity
🔥 Why I’m on Hive
I joined Hive because I believe in platforms that empower people, and communities that actually connect creators with purpose. I’m not just here to post content . I’m here to:
• Build meaningful connections
• Share real stories from the chess trenches
• Highlight the amazing work happening in Africa
• And of course, challenge you to a game if you’re bold enough 😏♟️
So that’s me ; Zlater, the guy who turned boredom into brilliance, and found a mission in the game of kings.
Let’s grow, learn, and win together.
