Hoop Gambit Festival – Wemby & Gotham Chess
Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs sensation known to fans as Wemby, has once again proven that his love for chess rivals his passion for basketball. For the second straight year, the French NBA star organized the Hoop Gambit Festival, a unique event that combines his two favorite activities. The 2026 edition took place on August 8-9 in the Paris region, drawing hundreds of participants and spectators across two locations.
Wembanyama, who has a 1000 Elo rating on Chess.com, has been open about his chess passion for years. He was even a registered club member for six months as a child, and has been seen playing chess in New York’s Washington Square Park during the NBA season.
GothamChess and Julien Song Headline the Chess Action
One of the biggest attractions at this year’s Hoop Gambit was the presence of IM Levy Rozman, better known to millions of fans as GothamChess. Rozman, one of the world’s most popular chess streamers and content creators, participated in the festival and played exhibition games against Wembanyama on center court.
The matchup between the 7’4″ NBA star and the International Master drew an excited crowd. During the game, IM Julien Song provided commentary — switching between French for the local audience and English when Rozman made a dramatic “rook sacrifice” against the basketball star.
Song, a French International Master and content creator with nearly one million YouTube subscribers, was also a featured guest at the festival and played practice games with Wembanyama. The two streamers brought significant online attention to the event, helping bridge the gap between chess and mainstream sports audiences.
When Basketball Meets Chess — Literally
One of the most visually striking elements of the Hoop Gambit Festival was the chess final itself. The championship match was played in the middle of a basketball court in Nanterre, with live commentary to make the game accessible to spectators unfamiliar with chess.
Adrien Duquesne, President of the Île-de-France Chess League, explained the thinking behind the format:
“In football or basketball, you know when the ball goes in the goal or through the hoop — there’s a point. In chess, it’s more complicated. We try to mix in some spectacle to make it as popular as possible.”
The chess portion of the event featured rapid time controls of 12 minutes plus 3 seconds per move, creating fast-paced and exciting games for both players and spectators.
Wembanyama Meets His Match — Against a Six-Year-Old
Six-year old Adam Calixte won his match against Wembanyama. Photo: Chess.com
Wembanyama didn’t just organize the festival — he also participated in the open chess tournament. And in one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend, he lost to a six-year-old prodigy named Adam.
After the game, Wembanyama spoke candidly about the loss to Le Figaro:
“It’s my fault. I took much longer than him at the beginning of the game. I had a much better position than his — much, much better. And I ran out of time. I’m simply not as good as him.”
The moment quickly went viral on social media, with fans joking about Wembanyama’s defeat and praising the young prodigy’s composure.
Wembanyama also played practice games with other children at the event, and according to reports, the kids defeated their much taller opponent in every game.
A Two-Day Festival with Growing Participation
The 2026 Hoop Gambit Festival expanded significantly from its inaugural edition in 2025. The first edition attracted 150 chess players and 280 basketball players. This year, the event drew 350 chess participants in Le Chesnay alone, alongside 220 basketball players competing across four outdoor courts in 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 formats.
The festival was held in two locations:
- August 8: Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt (Yvelines), Wembanyama’s hometown where he played basketball from ages 6 to 10
- August 9: Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine), the club where he began his professional career
Approximately 800 spectators were expected at the Nanterre location on the second day.
The prizes for winners included €500 in Nike vouchers for junior competitions and €2,500 for senior winners.
Why Chess and Basketball?
For Wembanyama, the connection between chess and basketball is natural. Both require strategy, anticipation, concentration, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
He explained his appreciation for chess in an interview with Le Figaro:
“There are things that chess requires that I simply appreciate: reasoning, the way it makes the brain work.”
Adrien Duquesne, President of the Île-de-France Chess League, explained the significance of Wembanyama’s involvement:
“Sportspeople like Victor Wembanyama are a great help to break down prejudices. They show that chess is not an elitist sport but something accessible to everyone. These champions are the best showcases for us.”
Wembanyama isn’t alone among elite athletes who love chess. Duquesne also cited Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Michael Olise, and French table tennis stars Alexis and Félix Lebrun as high-level sportspeople who promote the game.
A Growing Tradition
This year’s Hoop Gambit Festival built on the success of the inaugural 2025 event. The 2026 edition expanded to two days and drew even larger crowds, demonstrating the growing appeal of this unique crossover event.
Philippe Pham, President of Entente Le Chesnay Versailles 78, who knew Wembanyama as a child playing mini-basketball at his club, reflected on the impact:
“Victor is an example for French youth. He wants to attract young people to basketball courts and chessboards to help them develop, think, and avoid taking wrong paths.”
Wembanyama’s commitment to the festival comes despite his busy NBA schedule. After the tournament, he will join the French national team for two friendly matches against Serbia on August 20 in Belgrade and August 23 in Orléans.
Key Takeaways from the 2026 Hoop Gambit Festival
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 8-9, 2026 |
| Locations | Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt (Aug 8) and Nanterre (Aug 9) |
| Chess Participants | 350 players |
| Basketball Participants | 220 players |
| Special Guests | IM Levy Rozman (GothamChess), IM Julien Song |
| Junior Prize | €500 Nike vouchers |
| Senior Prize | €2,500 |
| Chess Time Control | 12 min + 3 sec/move |
What This Means for Chess
The Hoop Gambit Festival represents a growing trend: elite athletes using their platforms to promote chess. Wembanyama’s involvement helps break the stereotype that chess is an exclusive game for intellectuals, showing instead that it is a sport for everyone — whether you’re a 7’4″ NBA star or a six-year-old prodigy.
As Duquesne noted, champions like Wembanyama are the best showcases for chess, making it more accessible and popular than ever before.
With the festival’s growing popularity and the involvement of major chess content creators like GothamChess, the Hoop Gambit is quickly becoming a must-attend event for chess and basketball fans alike.
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