HBCU chess tourney set for April 2020!

In April of 2020, the club will be hosting an HBCU tournament for all of the historic universities. There are more than 100 HBCUs across the land, but few have chess programs. Howard University Chess Club is inviting all Historically-Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to participate. The club has been rejuvenated after laying dormant for more than a decade.

Howard has previously competed in the Pan-Am Intercollegiate. That tournament actually begins today, but there are no HBCU teams registered. This tournament in April hopes to spur activity among the schools. Others schools such as Tuskegee, Hampton and Florida A&M had chess clubs in the early 2000s. In fact, Tuskegee had visits from IM Stephen Muhammad and Howard hosted IM Oladapo Adu.

Florida A&M had an active chess club and the activity was actually a part of business school curriculum. Dr. Sid Credle launched the idea at FAMU has continued this tradition at Hampton University’s. After Credle left, Dr. Daaim Shabazz was the faculty advisor for the FAMU Chess Club. Unfortunately, activity has faded at HBCUs as many players lack the mentorship and tournament experience.

Currently, Howard is advised by Nisa Muhammad and she is helping to normalize activity on the campus. Local talent Zahir Muhammad is also providing guidance for the Howard group. The tournament will be the first of its kind.

Introducing…. Howard University howard1867 #HUCHESSCLUB #HBCUCHESSTOURNAMENT this April 18-19th 2020! All talent levels are welcome! Must be a current HBCU student to register! To register email… https://t.co/bYv4dq2R1l

— HowardChess (@HowardChess) December 11, 2019