20th year for The Chess Drum!
Twenty years. Yes… 20 years for a website. It seems unreal that so many years have passed. It seems unlikely (in these times) that a chess website can last this long. However, many years ago I rationalized this project by thinking, “If The Chess Drum did not exist, it would need to be created.” Is this true? Most definitely.
Coming up as a scholastic player in Chicago, I was bitten by the chess bug and benefited from an active club at my public high school that boasted over 100 members. After losing my first game to a Scholar’s Mate a year earlier, I was determined to improve and chess soon supplanted baseball as the activity where I invested the bulk of my leisure time. Unbeknownst to me, it would become an activity that would lead to a higher cause.
Keeping the Beat for 20 Years!!
In interviews and articles, I have explained how a simple question spurred the idea of what would become “The Chess Drum.” It would take nearly 15 years to fully realize the vision, but it was something that would soon become a rallying point for an overlooked segment.
At the 2001 Grand Opening of the Hall of Fame Chess Museum in Miami, Florida.
It was hot that day!
The original site was about 12 pages, five of which covered a diversity of players such as Odion Aikhoje (Nigeria), Warren Elliott (Jamaica), Amon Simutowe (Zambia), Maurice Ashley (USA) and Shearwood McClelland (USA). Aikhoje’s 1998 gold medal was honored, Elliott had won his first of seven national championships, and Ashley had hosted the Harlem Chess Festival. Simutowe won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympiad. McClelland had beaten Chinese star Bu Xianghzhi. The first “Historic Moments” piece profiled a classic matchup between Charles Lawton and Morris Giles along with an intriguing photo from 1989 U.S. Open. It was a thrilling beginning!
The idea of The Chess Drum happened over a period of 15 years while I was still living in Chicago. By now everyone may know I was motivated by a question… “Where are the Black IMs and GMs?” With the question searing in my mind, I embarked on a journey that would result in me hitting the “ENTER” button on February 12th, 2001 to make the site live.
There was inspiration drawn from many different persons, but it had occurred to me my degrees in Computer Science, Marketing and International Affairs prepared me for this task. The hours have been long and sometimes, I wondered why I should continue, but each time someone sends an e-mail or places a phone call, and it reinforces why this project is so important to the chess community.
It has been a pleasure to watch The Chess Drum grow into a reservoir that shows the universality of chess and its inclusivity. I have been able to compile wonderful memories in the past 20 years which I will share throughout February. Thanks for helping me keep the beat!
Daaim Shabazz, The Chess Drum
The “eternal” birthday cake presented to me in 2003 by Kay Umeakunne. I always bring this cake out every birthday. The cake is long gone, but the memory is still sweet!
20 Years of Memorable Moments (2001-2021)
2003
US Championship, Muhammad (again), Blitz Battle, and a cake!
A historic year that started off with Stephen Muhammad clinching his third IM norm with three rounds remaining. Traveling to Seattle for the 2003 U.S. Championship was interesting because both Maurice Ashley and Muhammad were the first players of African descent to compete in the U.S. Championship.
GM Maurice Ashley and IM-elect Stephen Muhammad
after completion of the 2003 U.S. Championship
Photo by Daaim Shabazz
Seattle was great fun and certainly a bonding experience for the two gladiators. After the tournament, Muhammad called Ashley offered to give him lessons in blitz! I heard a howl on the other end and soon Ashley was in the room. At the time, Muhammad had a 3000 blitz rating on the ICC and was every bit of a blitz aficionado. An unforgettable match started and they were going blow-for-blow. The match ended well into the morning. I had fallen asleep at some point but woke up in time to see the match end 14-14.
Memorable Blitz Battle! Muhammad vs. Ashley
Photo by Daaim Shabazz
Kay Chima Umeakunne presented me with this delicious cake as an appreciation for The Chess Drum. It was the best cake I’ve ever had!
2003 Index of Stories
20 Years of Memorable Moments (2001-2021)
2016
3rd Millionaire Chess Open, World Chess Championship
Harrah’s Resort (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
Opening Breakfast
GM Pontus Carlsson (right) chatting with GM Samuel Sevian and his mother.
All the way from Nigeria!!
Given the lower numbers at this year’s event, there was a different look, but the conditions of the tournament hall were excellent. The tables were nicely-spaced, set with boards and clocks, decorated purple MC monogrammed runners, and the hall was festooned with portraits of the World Champions. Inspiring indeed!
Taking a cameo shot in the Millionaire Chess #3 playing venue.
Announcements with Maurice “The General” Ashley observing.
FM Daniel Anwuli (Nigeria) – This talented 19-year old earned his FM title two years ago and became the nation’s highest-rated player at age 18. He recently represented Nigeria at the Baku Olympiad and has sights to further his studies and pursue the GM title. In this interview, he reflects on the tournament and how his slow start didn’t dampen his spirit. He scored 4.5 in the last five rounds to make Millionaire Monday. 14:13 minutes
FM Daniel Anwuli upsetting GM Conrad Holt.
Photo by Daaim Shabazz.
GM Pontus Carlsson (Sweden) – The Chess Drum audience will know Carlsson quite well as he has been the subject of numerous articles at the website. The Colombian-born Swedish national took his first trip to the U.S. and wanted to support the Millionaire Chess initiative. While he was critical of his play, he offers suggestions of parallel tournaments. He relished the moments with Maurice Ashley and there were a number of iconic photos taken of two of the five the Black GMs in the world. Carlsson now splits his time between Sweden and the Czech Republic. 16:54 minutes
GMs Pontus Carlsson and Maurice Ashley… double exclam!!
Photo by Daaim Shabazz.
Wachania Wachira (Kenya) – Wachira was one of the African qualifiers from the MC Satellite tournament in Kenya. The field was tough for him as he struggled to gain his bearings under the weight of strong players. Nevertheless, he was intrigued by the U.S. and said that it was not what he expected. “It is too developed,” he asserted with a smile. It is with a bit of irony that in such a developed country, chess is not getting the attention it rightly deserves. 10:11 minutes
Pan-African Unity!
CM Wachania Wachira (Kenya), IM Daniel Jere (Zambia),
Daaim Shabazz (USA), IM Oladapo Adu (Nigeria), IM Farai Mandizha (Zimbabwe).
Photo by Daaim Shabazz.
GM Emilio Cordova (Peru) – Having been a part of the 10th place Peruvian team in Baku, Cordova came to Millionaire Chess at the urging of a friend. While he admits that the cost is prohibitive, he was able to take 4th place overall. Surprisingly he mentions that there is not much support for chess, but the Olympiad result certainly brought honor to the country. Likewise, Cordova represented Peru well in Atlantic City. 6:59 minutes
GM Emilio Cordova versus Chinese GM Zhou Jianchou
during Millionaire Monday. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.
GM Samuel Sevian (USA) – Born in New York, Sevian has been a sensation for a long time. He became an Expert at age 8, a National Master at age 9 and an International Master at 12 and 10 months. He broke a national record by becoming an International Grandmaster at 13 years, 10 months and 27 days. Since then he has played in two U.S. Championships and has begun to make his presence felt in international circles. In this joint interview with his mother Armine, he talks about his evolution as a chess player. Hopefully we will see good things from this raw talent. 9:49 minutes
GM Samuel Sevian and mother Armine chatting with
GM Pontus Carlsson of Sweden. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.
Does anyone know the name of this building?
Club Quarters Hotel in Wall Street district
During the match, I stayed in Club Quarters Wall Street which was within walking distance of the Fulton Market. I was unable to secure my press credentials for Game #9, but took pictures of the venue, did an interview with IM Kassa Korley4:27 minutes and went back to the room to watch the match. Game #9 was drawn. The next day, I headed to the venue with ticket in hand. I met Alex Velasquez who put me in touch with Andrew Murray-Watson and my media credentials were cleared for Game #10.
Photos from Manhattan, New York, USA
Site of 2016 World Chess Championship (Carlsen vs. Karjakin)
Photos by Daaim Shabazz
GM Cristian Chirila, GM Alejandro Ramirez and FM Michael Klein
all doing journalist duties.
The Chess Drum’s Daaim Shabazz in media center.
GM Amon Simutowe and Daaim Shabazz
2016 Index of Stories
Congratulations Dr. Shabazz…Your Impact on the Culture is immeasurable but so very necessary..Your dedication is unmatched and honor for the game is unrivaled…Keep drumming!!
Thanks Mike!
Congrats! Great work much appreciated!
BTW I think Tani Adewumi is still on pace to reach USCF master before age 12. He turns 11 some time this year and he is active and has been to 2131. He gained over 100 points in 2020.
Haaaa!!
I don’t think Tani’s gonna make it LOL
Haaaa!!
I don’t think Tani’s gonna make it
Well done, keep workin!!! BUBBAFISHA
20 years and going strong…Cheers to one of the best chess sites out there