Pitchfork

Photo by Shaminder Dulai

On paper, the Hip-Hop Chess Federation's 1st Annual Chess Kings Invitational looks like a wet dream comprised of all things Wu-Tang. The Clan's RZA and GZA will be there-- alongside DJs Qbert and Disk, chess champ Josh Waitzkin [pictured, right], and a few surprise guests-- taking part in the awesomely named Life Strategies All-Star Panel about the role music, chess, and martial arts have played in their success.

The RZA will also compete in the Invitational's main event: a chess tournament featuring the likes of Hieroglyphics' Casual, Living Legends' Sunspot Jonz, and mixed martial arts fighter Ralek Gracie as players and Rakaa of Dilated Peoples as the host.

The Invitational-- co-sponsored with the HHCF by Ubisoft, publisher of the forthcoming Chessmaster: The Art of Learning video game and Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition computer game-- will feature plenty of other events as well, including open chess games, kung fu film showings, information sessions about educational opportunities, and a charity auction.

The event takes place on October 13 at the San Francisco Design Center.