elcome to the inaugural online issue of The Chess Drum! This online publication is designed for the purpose of championing the success of Black chess players around the world, serving as a vehicle for fostering a greater sense of community, and finally for sharing ideas and knowledge. This idea has been long overdue, but finally it is here!

For many years, we have seen many players of African descent come and go. Many of these players were brilliant, but slowly drifted away from active play (FM Morris Giles and former child prodigy NM K.K. Karanja  come to mind). Part of the reason for this is the lack of support system for Black players.

Despite the success of GM Maurice Ashley of the U.S., top Black players around the world still compete in isolation. Others like IM Watu Kobese of South Africa, IM Odion Aikhoje of Nigeria, the Zambian teenage sensation IM Amon Simutowe have reached levels of success worthy of note. Who has heard of their success?

There is certainly a need for a vehicle for assisting Black players seeking chess titles, providing a forum for Black masters to give lessons, teaming up with analysis partners, scholastic development, instructional articles, or merely finding out what's happening in parts of the world where Blacks may be "pushing wood" or "trash talking" over a game of 3-minute chess.

The Chess Drum wishes to serves the greater international chess community, but will focus attention on Black players since it has been glaringly absent. If you know of outstanding feats by any Black chess player anywhere in the world, please let us know! Let's play to win!

Dr. Daaim Shabazz, Editor