Nigerian chess prodigy and global sensation, Tunde Onakoya, has unintentionally stirred a storm across social media after publicly expressing admiration for Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji.
The lighthearted exchange, which started as a simple comment, has since spiraled into a full-blown online conversation, igniting both amusement and admiration from fans.
The buzz began on Sunday, July 20, when Genevieve Nnaji, 46, shared a stunning photo of herself from Rita Dominic’s 50th birthday celebration on X (formerly Twitter). Known for her rare social media appearances, the ageless screen goddess instantly drew attention.
Among the many comments, it was 30-year-old Onakoya’s that stole the spotlight. The chess champion, known globally for his philanthropic feats like the Guinness World Record for longest chess marathon, simply wrote “Hi” under Nnaji’s post—an understated greeting that set off waves of reactions.
But it didn’t end there. Moments later, Onakoya playfully raised the bar, tweeting:
“Hmmm. I see that the competition is quite tough. I’ll only concede if any other suitor can beat me in a chess match.”
The cheeky remark instantly became the subject of viral commentary, with many netizens joking that the chess grandmaster had finally “left chess for chest,” referencing his romantic overture toward the screen diva. X users rolled out memes, hilarious reactions, and mock challenges as the tweet gained momentum.
As the banter escalated, Onakoya attempted to downplay the moment, responding with a tongue-in-cheek quip:
“Let’s calm down guys. I was only wondering if she wanted to buy my chess board.”
Despite the clarification, the internet wasn’t ready to let it go. Many hailed the move as a clever and classy way to shoot one’s shot, while others simply enjoyed the rare blend of chess and charm colliding in the digital space.
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