Latest News!

    March 30, 2025

    FAMU Chess sets team; readies for HBCU Classic

    The FAMU Chess Club held a qualifying tournament to determine who would represent the school at the upcoming HBCU Chess…
    March 26, 2025

    Is Hans Niemann right??

    Grandmaster Hans Niemann at the 2022 Sinquefield Cup.Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour Hans Niemann has been in the chess spotlight for…
    March 18, 2025

    Bio on Cuban chess legend, Román Hernández Onna

    Roman Hernandez (center) analyzing with onlookers. Román Hernández Onna is the subject of a recent biography covering his life and…
    March 16, 2025

    William Scott honored in March 2025 Chess Life!

    William Alexander Scott III William Scott III was featured in the latest issue of Chess Life in a wonderful six-page…
    March 14, 2025

    Chitumbo Mwali wins 5th Zambian Chess Crown!

    IM Chitumbo Mwali, 2025 Zambian ChampionBupe Gerald Chibomba The Copper Eagle Soars International Master Chitumbo Mwali won his fifth national…
    March 10, 2025

    Eswatini chess prepares children for future

    The Eswatini Chess Federation was chartered in 2006 and joined FIDE in 2011. The federation has had regular activity, mostly…
    March 4, 2025

    FAMU Chess Club holds Interest Meeting, First Tournament!

    The FAMU Chess Club held its first tournament as an official organization in more than 20 years. After a successful…
    March 1, 2025

    Shabazz named “Chess Educator of the Year”

    Dear Chess Community,This Tuesday, the University of Texas-Dallas awarded me the “Chess Educator of the Year” award. The award has…
    February 21, 2025

    Albany State hosts Hip-Hop Chess Icon, Adisa Banjoko

    Adisa Banjoko visited Albany State University at the invitation of the school’s “University College,” an entity supporting first- and second-year students.…
    February 14, 2025

    GM Carlsson invites you to Charity Chess Event

    GM Pontus Carlsson invited The Chess Drum community to participate in his Zero Requiem charity event to benefit the development…
    February 12, 2025

    24 years for The Chess Drum!

    The Chess Drum community… Today marks the 24th anniversary of the founding of The Chess Drum. It is rare to…
    February 9, 2025

    Stephen Muhammad, pioneering International Master (1962-2024)

    Stephen Muhammad, an International Master and Georgia Chess Hall of Fame nominee, passed away on December 8th, 2024, after a…
    February 4, 2025

    FAMU Chess Club shines at Club Fair!

    The FAMU Chess Club participated in the school’s club fair with about 40 other campus organizations. This was the first…
    January 28, 2025

    NextGen Cup: An African Diaspora Chess Battle!

    The NextGen Cup is a novel tournament with a $20,000 fund featuring ten master-level players throughout the African Diaspora. It…
    January 11, 2025

    Chess Educator, Ernest Levert passes (1990-2025)

    The greatest service one can give to their community is love and time. Dear Chess Community, It is with deep…
    January 10, 2025

    The Growing Pains of a New Chess Era

    After crowning a new champion, chess is experiencing difficult “growing pains” as it prepares for a new era. World Champion…
    December 31, 2024

    The Chess Drum’s Highlights of 2024

    What a year! The highlights of 2024 have been memorable! We have crowned a new world champion and ushered in…
    December 30, 2024

    Hardaway, Adewumi debut at World Rapid & Blitz

    Growing up fast! Brewington Hardaway, Tani Adewumi and Andy Woodward at the 2024 World Rapid & Blitz.Photo by Michal Walusza…
    December 26, 2024

    Howard University Chess preparing for 2025 Pan-Ams

    Howard University Chess Club is preparing for the 2025 Pan-Am Intercollegiate tournament to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, January…
    December 24, 2024

    Walter Harris, America’s 1st Black Chess Master, dead at 83

    Dear Chess Community, Yesterday, I learned that Walter Harris, America’s first Black National Master, had passed away on October 12th,…
    December 20, 2024

    17-year-old Nyuima Tersee is new Nigerian Champion!

    Nyuima Ferdinand Tersee won the 2024 Nigerian National Championship over several titled and veteran players. The 17-year-old from Benue State…
    December 12, 2024

    Gukesh shocks Ding in finale, wins title!

    2024 World Chess Championship Singapore (November 25th – December 13th)   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9…
    December 11, 2024

    Ding-Gukesh draw in thrilling battle!

    2024 World Chess Championship: Game 13Tuesday, 11 December 2024 A heavyweight battle ends in a draw…tension high on even of…
    December 10, 2024

    Ding strikes back in Game 12… match tied 6-6!

    2024 World Chess Championship: Game 12Monday, 9 December 2024 Ding scores clutch win, score tied 6-6! China’s Ding Liren won…
    December 8, 2024

    Alpha Phi Alpha’s Dunlap touts Chess Initiative

    Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded in December 4, 1906 at Cornell University, just celebrating its 118th anniversary. The…
    November 29, 2024

    2024 World Chess Championship: Game 3

    2024 World Chess Championship: Game 3Wednesday, 26 November 2024 Gukesh breaks through… evens the score! Dommaraju Gukesh won Game 3…
    November 28, 2024

    2024 World Chess Championship: Game 2

    2024 World Chess Championship: Game 2Tuesday, 26 November 2024 Tense draw… excitement ratcheting up Game 2 of the World Chess…
    November 27, 2024

    2024 World Chess Championship: Game 1

    2024 World Chess Championship: Game 1Monday, 25 November 2024 Ding Liren wins the first game, quiets naysayers The World Chess…
    November 26, 2024

    2024 World Chess Championship (Singapore City)

    2024 World Chess Championship Singapore (November 25th – December 13th)   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9…
    November 16, 2024

    Chess activist Ernest Levert still healing after aneurysm

    Back in April, social chess activist Ernest “Ern” Levert, Jr. of Columbus, Ohio suffered a brain aneurysm and was put…

    Tournament Life

    In the News

      March 1, 2025

      Shabazz named “Chess Educator of the Year”

      Dear Chess Community,This Tuesday, the University of Texas-Dallas awarded me the “Chess Educator of the Year” award. The award has…
      February 12, 2025

      24 years for The Chess Drum!

      The Chess Drum community… Today marks the 24th anniversary of the founding of The Chess Drum. It is rare to…
      October 29, 2024

      New in Chess profiles Daaim Shabazz

      During the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam of New in Chess requested that The Chess Drum’s…
      February 12, 2024

      The Chess Drum is 23!

      Hello everyone! The Chess Drum has covered a lot of chess events over the past 23 years. This coverage has…
      May 3, 2023

      US Chess on HBCU Chess

      Participants of the 2023 HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown CollegePhoto by Daaim Shabazz Dear Chess Community,The HBCU Chess Classic…
      March 11, 2023

      The Chess Drum on “Talking Talent”

      The Chess Drum’s Daaim Shabazz was a guest on Dylan Quercia’s Twitch stream called, “Talking Talent.” The 71-minute segment featured…
      February 28, 2023

      Black History Month 2023 – A Chess Tribute

      Greetings everyone!This year’s Black History Month will feature a video commemoration recounting the importance of the month-long celebration, some key…
      February 12, 2023

      The Chess Drum is 22!

      Dear Drum Community!The Chess Drum is 22 today! On this day, I hit the “enter” key to make the site…
      June 24, 2022

      Shabazz to get Special Services Chess Award!

      Dear Chess Community, On June 17th, I was informed that I would be the recipient of a U.S. Chess Special…
      April 1, 2022

      Chess.com gets the beat of The Chess Drum!

      Recently chess.com featured “Chess Through an African Lens” written by this author. The reception was very positive, but it is…

      Opinions/Editorial

        March 26, 2025

        Is Hans Niemann right??

        January 10, 2025

        The Growing Pains of a New Chess Era

        November 9, 2024

        Preview of WCC 2024… Ding-Gukesh

        October 12, 2024

        Somalia’s Chess Olympiad Visa Nightmare

        September 6, 2024

        Carlsen-Niemann… good for chess?

        August 3, 2024

        Why are numbers declining in Black Chess?

        June 20, 2024

        The Rise of Deborah Quickpen

        May 15, 2024

        Reflections on the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic

        February 14, 2024

        How Will Chess Address Cyberbullying?

        January 14, 2024

        Is Chess a “Life Game”?

        December 24, 2023

        Has cheating (accusations) in chess gone too far?

        November 11, 2023

        When will the U.S. host a Chess Olympiad?

        October 31, 2023

        Classical Chess is still King… Here’s Why

        September 23, 2023

        After World Cup, Where is African Chess?

        September 4, 2023

        Aftermath of Niemann/Chess.com/Carlsen agreement

        July 25, 2023

        After 2023 World Open, a new chess era unfolding

        May 11, 2023

        Reflections on the 1st HBCU Chess Classic

        April 4, 2023

        Is Racism in Chess Overlooked?

        January 5, 2023

        Is Classical Chess Dead?

        October 31, 2022

        Fischer Random Chess: A Dream Deferred

        October 20, 2022

        The Anatomy of Carlsen-Niemann cheating controversy

        September 20, 2022

        Carlsen quits against Niemann… the saga continues

        September 17, 2022

        After the Carlsen-Niemann firestorm, what now?

        August 14, 2022

        The Importance of Analytics for Chess Federations

        May 7, 2022

        Geopolitics and the Diverse Voices in Chess

        March 14, 2022

        Promoting to a Black Chess Queen

        April 12, 2021

        Diverse ideas needed in chess policy decisions

        July 5, 2020

        Is Chess Inherently Racist?

        June 16, 2020

        Response to FIDE’s Statement on Racism (2020)

        June 2, 2020

        George Floyd and the Right to Thrive

        March 13, 2020

        Will coronavirus change OTB chess?

        August 4, 2019

        Playing Chess to Death

        July 12, 2019

        Is there still magic at the World Open?

        April 10, 2019

        #MoveForEquality… relatable to chess?

        February 16, 2019

        Can you make a living playing chess?

        February 3, 2019

        Chess Journalism in Perspective

        September 12, 2018

        Are chess magazines still relevant??

        November 6, 2016

        Will Chess Championship get lost in Election Aftermath?

        September 24, 2016

        Post-Olympiad: Balance of Power shifts

        December 30, 2015

        African Chess made strides in 2015

        October 3, 2015

        Movie “PAWN SACRIFICE”… fair to Fischer?

        August 20, 2015

        Turkish Chess Federation vs. Dr. Daaim Shabazz (2012)

        August 18, 2015

        A look at Carlsen’s WCC proposal

        April 26, 2015

        The Infectious Wisdom of Maurice Ashley

        February 25, 2015

        Nakamura soaring in early 2015

        September 13, 2014

        FIDE’s African Problem

        March 7, 2014

        FIDE 2014: The Scramble for Africa

        November 1, 2013

        Michael Jordan: Lessons for Chess

        Interviews

          October 1, 2024

          Jamaican Chess dons post-Olympiad energy

          The Jamaican chess delegation trekked to Budapest, Hungary, for the 45th Chess Olympiad. The island nation sent two teams, with…
          September 29, 2024

          Jamaica’s Wilkinson re-elected to FIDE post

          Ian Wilkinson, attending his 11th straight Olympiad, was re-elected as a member of the FIDE Constitutional Commission (CC). He described…
          September 28, 2024

          Maurice Ashley talks chess in Budapest

          Grandmaster Maurice Ashley was spotted at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, but he told The Chess Drum that he…
          May 28, 2024

          HBCU Chess Spotlight: Alan Cowan

          Alan Cowan was co-valedictorian of Morehouse College’s 2023 graduating class. He kindled an intense interest in finance and now works…
          May 12, 2024

          HBCU Chess Spotlight: Spelman College

          Jamila Thompson is a graduating senior at Spelman College. The native New Yorker was taught chess by her father and…
          May 11, 2024

          HBCU Chess Spotlight: Hampton University

          Hampton University traveled 22 hours to the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic in Atlanta after a last-minute effort by the Hampton…
          May 9, 2024

          HBCU Chess Spotlight: North Carolina A&T

          North Carolina A&T Aggies, 1st place team (2024 HBCU Chess Classic)Photo by Daaim Shabazz/The Chess Drum Dressed in their North…
          May 9, 2024

          HBCU Chess Spotlight: Howard University

          Howard University has a long and esteemed history as an institution. One of the most well-known universities in the country,…
          May 9, 2024

          Meet the Kings & Queens of HBCU Chess!

          HBCU Chess has a long but largely undocumented history. During the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic hosted by The Black Odyssey,…
          April 28, 2024

          FAMU’s Caleb Parker is 2024 HBCU Chess Champion!

          Daniel Buckley (Engineering), Florian Dorleans (FAMU Alumnus), Caleb Parker (Computer Information Systems), Lee Parker (School of Allied Health), Dr. Daaim…
          June 18, 2023

          James Canty chats with The Chess Drum

          James Canty III entered the fraternity of chess streamers during the pandemic and has not looked back since. He also…
          June 17, 2023

          Interview with Chess Connector, Adia Onyango

          Adia Onyango is known as the “Chess Traveler” for her voyages to chess venues around the world. She frequents overseas…
          June 17, 2023

          Oleiny Linares at 2023 Chicago Open

          Oleiny Linares Napoles is a four-time national champion of Cuba (2010, 2016, 2019, 2023) and competed in the U.S. for…
          August 6, 2020

          Jim Eade’s “Chess Without Borders” hosts Daaim Shabazz!

          Many webcasting shows have emerged during the coronavirus outbreak. It has provided a suitable resource for of Chess has been…
          June 8, 2020

          NBA Champion Craig Hodges on Chess Stream

          Dynamic Chess hosted a conversation with two-time NBA champion and social activist Craig Hodges during a live stream on Twitch.…
          May 7, 2020

          Ghana Chess on GBC News during COVID-19

          Interview with chess personalities Philip Ameku and Joe Ditse on GBC News in Ghana
          August 16, 2019

          John Fedorowicz chats with The Chess Drum

          John Fedorowicz is a product of the famous “Fischer Boom,” and relishes the opportunity to talk about the good ole…
          December 20, 2018

          Simutowe reflects on 2018 World Championship… format

          When I was at the Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, GM Amon Simutowe was part of many conversations about the future…
          December 3, 2018

          Hip Hop Chess founder Banjoko discusses recent brush with death

          Adisa Banjoko is known to The Chess Drum audience as the founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation, an educational initiative…
          December 2, 2018

          Carlsson returns to Perpetual Podcast

          GM Pontus Carlsson in New Orleans with participantsin “Business Meets Chess & Kids” program GM Pontus Carlsson returned to Perpetual…
          November 24, 2018

          Ashley on Trevor Noah on Chess

          In case you didn’t see it, Grandmaster Maurice Ashley made an appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the…
          July 27, 2018

          African Candidates spar in fierce debate

          As the election campaign for FIDE positions heats up, candidates are taking to social media to get their platforms to…
          October 3, 2017

          After 2017 World Cup win, Aronian gets his chance

          Levon Aronian married the ravishing Arianne Caoili on Saturday, September 30th in a very quaint location at the Saghmosavank Monastery…
          September 26, 2017

          Triple Exclam on “Talking with Authors” podcast

          Publisher: The Chess Drum, LLCRetail Price: $40.00 (full color, hard back) On September 17th, Curtis Anderson spent an hour discussing…
          August 9, 2017

          “Hip Hop Chess Day” in the Bronx

          Jerald Times has been shuffling around the chess world for decades. He is known more as a coach than a…

          Chess Review - Books & Films

            September 30, 2023

            “The Final Attack,” Chess Teachings of Emory Tate

            FM Todd Andrews recently released a manual, The Final Attack a tribute to the lessons of International Master Emory Tate.…
            January 11, 2021

            Gambit and Katwe… Two Queens, Two Lessons

            In the past couple of months, there has been a buzz about a Netflix series called, “The Queen’s Gambit.” After…
            June 24, 2020

            Bert Scott’s book on Jamaican Chess History!

            Bert Scott may be known to some from running the Jamaica Chess Ambassadors website for several years in the 2000s.…
            August 11, 2018

            Great Moves by Sunil Weeramantry

            Paperback: $35.00TO ORDER NOW… CLICK HERE! FM Sunil Weeramantry’s reputation precedes him. The famed scholastic coach has gained his notoriety…
            March 18, 2018

            Book Review: Chess Behind Bars

            Chess is often thought of as a game of the high-browed intelligentsia. It has adherents worldwide and is touted as…
            May 26, 2017

            Review: Active Pieces by IM Jay Bonin

            On the plane to Africa reading“Active Pieces: Practical Advice from America’s Most Relentless Tournament Player”by IM Jay Bonin While on…
            October 4, 2016

            Queen of Katwe: A Chess Review

            At the 42nd Olympiad last month 1,583 players from around the world assembled in Baku, Azerbaijan to compete in the…
            October 3, 2015

            Movie “PAWN SACRIFICE”… fair to Fischer?

            Fischer was so defiant of presuming to do what the movie aspires to do. Tobey and I sat there and…
            January 12, 2015

            “Rich as a King” teaches chess to invest!

            As a business professor, I am able to see young adults mature as they begin to understand the elements financial…
            January 21, 2014

            Review: Life of a King

            Eugene Brown WARNING: Review may contain spoilers! 🙂 When watching “Life of a King” one anticipates another “rags-to-riches” story that…
            February 14, 2013

            Brooklyn Castle: A Tribute to Chess Parents

            I have seen a number of chess movies such as “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” “Fresh” and “The Luhzin Defense“. I…
            July 11, 2011

            Philip Corbin’s bio, “Calypso Chess”

            Dr. Philip Corbin has had a very venerable career in Barbadian or “Bajan” chess. He is perhaps known most for…
            June 15, 2008

            Book Review: Three Moves Ahead

            There are other books on this marriage including one written by Garry Kasparov titled, “How Life Imitates Chess: Making the…
            November 1, 2004

            Historic Moments: ‘Magnificence in Bled: The 35th Chess Olympiad’

            “Magnificence In Bled: The 35th Chess Olympiad” Author: Ian WilkinsonPublisher: LMH Publishing LimitedReviewed by: Balford Henry For the past two…
            September 30, 2003

            In Search of Luzhin’s Defence

            Many chess players have no doubt seen The Luzhin Defence, a movie based off the novel (of the same name)…

            HBCU Chess

              March 30, 2025

              FAMU Chess sets team; readies for HBCU Classic

              The FAMU Chess Club held a qualifying tournament to determine who would represent the school at the upcoming HBCU Chess…
              March 4, 2025

              FAMU Chess Club holds Interest Meeting, First Tournament!

              The FAMU Chess Club held its first tournament as an official organization in more than 20 years. After a successful…
              February 21, 2025

              Albany State hosts Hip-Hop Chess Icon, Adisa Banjoko

              Adisa Banjoko visited Albany State University at the invitation of the school’s “University College,” an entity supporting first- and second-year students.…
              February 4, 2025

              FAMU Chess Club shines at Club Fair!

              The FAMU Chess Club participated in the school’s club fair with about 40 other campus organizations. This was the first…
              December 26, 2024

              Howard University Chess preparing for 2025 Pan-Ams

              Howard University Chess Club is preparing for the 2025 Pan-Am Intercollegiate tournament to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, January…
              July 6, 2024

              Howard University Chess Club approaches 100 years!

              Howard University, founded in 1867, is a preeminent institution of higher learning. Jamaal Abdul-Alim has been an unofficial advisor to the…
              May 28, 2024

              HBCU Chess Spotlight: Alan Cowan

              Alan Cowan was co-valedictorian of Morehouse College’s 2023 graduating class. He kindled an intense interest in finance and now works…
              May 15, 2024

              Reflections on the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic

              Nearly a month has passed since the HBCU Chess Classic ended in Atlanta, Georgia. Held April 20th and 21st, it…
              May 12, 2024

              HBCU Chess Spotlight: Spelman College

              Jamila Thompson is a graduating senior at Spelman College. The native New Yorker was taught chess by her father and…
              May 11, 2024

              HBCU Chess Spotlight: Hampton University

              Hampton University traveled 22 hours to the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic in Atlanta after a last-minute effort by the Hampton…
              May 9, 2024

              HBCU Chess Spotlight: North Carolina A&T

              North Carolina A&T Aggies, 1st place team (2024 HBCU Chess Classic)Photo by Daaim Shabazz/The Chess Drum Dressed in their North…
              May 9, 2024

              HBCU Chess Spotlight: Howard University

              Howard University has a long and esteemed history as an institution. One of the most well-known universities in the country,…
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