Latest News!

    November 3, 2024

    Glenn Umstead, “The Chess Artist” passes away

    National Master Glenn Umstead was one of the most dedicated chess enthusiasts on the East Coast. “Supercoach” passed away on…
    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…
    October 24, 2024

    Lawyer Times sponsored by Celts’ Jaylen Brown

    National Master Lawyer Times has been running the Future Masters Chess Academy in the Boston area for nearly a decade.…
    October 20, 2024

    Remembering Emory Tate

    It has been nine years since International Master Emory Tate passed away on October 17, 2015, while competing in the…
    October 13, 2024

    African Diaspora @ Budapest Olympiad!

    The African Diaspora was again in full force to compete at the Chess Olympiad for honors. Twenty years ago, little…
    October 12, 2024

    Somalia’s Chess Olympiad Visa Nightmare

    Somalians look splendid at the 2016 Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan.Photo by David Llada Somalia Chess Federation Somalia’s plans to…
    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 discusses new chess initiative

    Grandmaster Maurice Ashley was spotted at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, but he told The Chess Drum that he…
    September 27, 2024

    Derrick Rose retires… chess next?

    Derrick Rose elevating during his peak years for the Chicago Bulls.Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images Derrick Rose announced his retirement…
    September 26, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 11

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 11Sunday, 23 September 2024 India wins double gold! Viswanathan Anand presenting the Gaprindashvili Award to India…
    September 21, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 10

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 10Saturday, 21 September 2024 India close to making history! Open Wesley So (USA) set to face…
    September 21, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 9

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 9Friday, 20 September 2024 Open In Round 9, India was slowed as it was held for…
    September 21, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 8

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 8Thursday, 19 September 2024 Open Iran was coming into the match undefeated and with high hopes…
    September 21, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 7

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 7Wednesday, 18 September 2024 Open In round 7 of the 2024 Chess Olympiad, a titanic match…
    September 17, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 6

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 6Monday, 16 September 2024 Open Round 6 is right before the rest day and the tournament…
    September 16, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 5

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 5Sunday, 15 September 2024 Open The Indian men have continued to dominate in the Open Section.…
    September 16, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 4

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 4Saturday, 14 September 2024 Open The U.S. gets upset by Ukraine as Wesley So loses a…
    September 15, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 3

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 3Friday, 13 September 2024 Nice aerial shot by Michal Walusza! Open Round 3 of the Budapest…
    September 15, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 2

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 2Thursday, 12 September 2024 Open In Round 2 of the Chess Olympiad, we saw more drama…
    September 13, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 1

    2024 Chess Olympiad: Round 1Wednesday, 11 September 2024 The 2024 Chess Olympiad has begun! Typically, Round 1 pairings are top…
    September 12, 2024

    2024 Chess Olympiad (Budapest, Hungary)

    Budapest, Hungary is the site of the 2024 Chess Olympiad and the venue is said to be spectacular. The event…
    September 12, 2024

    Chess Olympiad begins… Visagate rages

    The Chess Olympiad started today as the favorites went through smoothly, but visagate has tainted the event. Many countries were…
    September 6, 2024

    Carlsen-Niemann… good for chess?

    Today, one of the most anticipated events will take place in Paris, France, with Magnus Carlsen facing nemesis Hans Niemann.…
    September 1, 2024

    Brewington Hardaway earns final GM norm!

    Photo from X (Brewington Hardaway) Fifteen-year-old Brewington Hardaway made his long-awaited trip abroad in search of his final GM norm.…
    August 16, 2024

    Mathurin wins St. Lucia Chess Invitational!

    FM Nathaniel Mathurin won the St. Lucia Chess Invitational, which attracted players from neighboring Dominica. Dominating the field with 9/9…
    August 14, 2024

    Kevin Pryor is the new President of U.S. Chess!

    Kevin Pryor is the new President of the U.S. Chess Federation. A past President of the Florida Chess Association (FCA)…
    August 6, 2024

    Jessica Hyatt earns National Master title!

    Jessica Hyatt can now add National Master to her name after waiting a long time to celebrate this moment. This…
    August 3, 2024

    Why are numbers declining in Black Chess?

    There seems to be a decline in the number of Black players participating in major U.S. tournaments. The World Open…
    July 20, 2024

    The story of Shama Yisrael, the first female African-American Chess Master

    National Master Shama YisraelPhoto by Otis Wilson/954 Chess Club Shama Yisrael earned the title of National Master last weekend, becoming…

    Tournament Life

    In the News

      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…
      February 12, 2022

      The Chess Drum is 21 years old!

      Hello everyone! The Chess Drum’s 21st year represents the official coming of age. Last year there was a 20-year reflection…
      October 11, 2021

      The Chess Drum on South African Twitch tomorrow!

      Tomorrow The Chess Drum’s Daaim Shabazz will be on a show called “Reflections” hosted by Lyndon Bouah, a long-time chess…

      Opinions/Editorial

        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

        July 15, 2013

        Kasparov’s impact on African Chess

        January 11, 2013

        London: Chess’ New Linares?

        July 15, 2012

        The State of Black Chess in America

        Interviews

          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 discusses new chess initiative

          Grandmaster Maurice Ashley was spotted at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, but he told The Chess Drum that he…
          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…
          July 19, 2017

          Carlsson, Nakamura on Perpetual Podcast

          GM Pontus Carlsson (Sweden)Photo by Daaim Shabazz Ben Johnson contacted The Chess Drum a month ago to ask questions in…
          June 20, 2017

          Detroit-Chicago blitz battle excites chess scene

          Detroit and Chicago have a close relationship with both being home to hard-working migrants from the south in search of…
          April 21, 2017

          “Triple Exclam” @ U.S. Championships!

          Triple Exclam was announced to the public March 11th and the reception has been very enthusiastic. The biography of International…
          January 28, 2017

          ChessBase with Neil deGrasse Tyson

          Photo from Getty Images Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson was in a recent ChessBase feature recounting an interview he granted during…
          December 21, 2016

          FM Harold Wanyama of Uganda retires

          FM Harold Wanyama (Uganda)Photo by Kim Bhari In a story out of Uganda, FM Harold Wanyama has retired from competitive…
          October 29, 2016

          Reflections of the 2016 Millionaire Chess Open

          GM Maurice Ashley on the red carpet.Photo by David Llada The last few weeks have been a bit melancholy for…
          October 21, 2016

          Maurice Ashley on 2016 Millionaire Chess

          GM Maurice Ashley GM Maurice Ashley was inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame back in April and thus…
          October 18, 2016

          Drum Interviews @ ’16 Millionaire Chess

          Drum Interviews @ Millionaire Chess Open #3 One of the most gratifying assignments in covering chess events are the interviews…

          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)…

            The Drum Beats Around the World!

              September 12, 2024

              2024 Chess Olympiad (Budapest, Hungary)

              December 30, 2021

              Reflections of 2021 World Championship/EXPO 2020

              November 25, 2021

              2021 World Chess Championship (Carlsen vs. Nepomniachtchi)

              May 22, 2019

              Reflections on 2019 Abidjan Rapid & Blitz

              May 9, 2019

              2019 Rapid & Blitz (Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire)

              November 9, 2018

              2018 World Chess Championship (Carlsen vs. Caruana)

              October 15, 2018

              Reflections on Batumi Olympiad

              September 23, 2018

              2018 Chess Olympiad (Batumi, Georgia)

              June 17, 2017

              Beauty of Africa through a Chess Lens

              August 22, 2014

              Reflections on Tromso Olympiad

              August 18, 2014

              Drum Interviews @ ’14 Olympiad

              August 1, 2014

              2014 Chess Olympiad (Tromso, Norway)

              July 11, 2013

              Inside look at Ghana Chess

              June 24, 2013

              Shabazz carries beat to Ghana!

              May 18, 2013

              Reflections of 2013 U.S. Championship

              January 11, 2013

              London: Chess’ New Linares?

              September 16, 2012

              Reflections on Istanbul Olympiad

              August 24, 2012

              2012 Chess Olympiad (Istanbul, Turkey)

              January 3, 2012

              The Chess Drum beats in Cuba!

              April 25, 2011

              2011 Bahamas National Open

              August 1, 2010

              The Chess Drum beats in Trinidad!

              June 13, 2010

              The Chess Drum Beats in Africa!

              June 4, 2010

              2010 Caribbean Chess Carnival (Trinidad)

              May 25, 2010

              Kenya welcomes Shabazz!

              February 26, 2009

              The Drum goes to Qatar!

              February 9, 2009

              Interesting story from Bahrain

              December 2, 2008

              Reflections from Dresden Olympiad

              November 28, 2008

              Drum Interviews @ Dresden Olympiad!

              March 2, 2008

              The Drum Beats in Shanghai, China!

              July 23, 2007

              2007 CMMB Caribbean Chess Carnival (Port of Spain, Trinidad)

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