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

National Master Shama Yisrael
Photo by Otis Wilson/954 Chess Club

Shama Yisrael earned the title of National Master last weekend, becoming the first African-American woman to earn the coveted honor. After playing in several tournaments in a week’s time, the 20-year-old earned her last few points at the Pincrest Independence Open. Beginning in early June, Shama reached 2199 three times and 2197 once. The Miami native has been playing chess since 2014 and told The Chess Drum that she learned to play at a local public library.

Shama got her first provisional rating of 566, but since then, she has maintained a steady interest and improved. She expressed that she developed a passion almost immediately. In June 2017, she first appeared in the top 100 (under 21) but also reached the top 10 for players aged 13. Five years later, she rose to the top 10 for players aged 18, and top 50 (under-21).

The following is an upset win at the 27th Space Coast Open Chess Festival in 2022. It shows her tactical opportunism and won her a brilliancy prize. Some databases show her FIDE rating of 1695, but her USCF rating (at the time) was 1962. Her current FIDE rating is 1945. The notes were by her coach, National Master Otis Wilson.

The Journey

Looking at her 10-year span, she improved dramatically in the first four years of play (566 to 1898) and then leveled off until reaching 2000 in 2021. As is common with progression to 2200, there is sometimes a period of fluctuation between a rating range. Looking at the last couple of months is very instructive.

“I always admired Karpov’s games and style.”

~Shama Yisrael

Many on the American chess scene were unfamiliar with Yisrael, but she has been very active in southern Florida. Even those playing in the same club did not realize that a fellow Floridian was making history. However, her rise was not completely unknown. Along with her brother, Melakah Yisrael, she participated in the under-1900 section at the 2017 Supernationals in Nashville, Tennessee. Her coach, Otis Wilson, has been instrumental in her rise, and she cites him as her biggest inspiration.

Shama Yisrael in the process of making history at the 2024 Pincrest Independence Open.
Photo courtesy of South Miami Chess Club

This was the historic announcement made public by 954Chess on July 13th:

“954Chess would like to give a big congratulations to Shama Yisrael for making history and becoming the first African American female Chess Master!

On her behalf we’d like to give special thanks to the following people who have all contributed to her amazing journey: Her mother Atarah for her patience and undying support, her coach NM Otis Wilson for all his efforts, unwavering support and his never ending belief in her abilities, her siblings, namely her sisters Shalam, Kolaiyah, Abiyah and brother Melakah who have been the source of inspiration and her entire family, Stevie, Harold Richardson, Jon Haskel, Preston Williams, Isaac Jackson, Mario Marshall, the late George Hankerson Jr. and all the Black Knights members, Lucky and Vetra, Shomari and everyone who has supported and continue to support her through her career.”

Shama Yisrael in the second row on a special issue, “Year of the Woman”

When asked about her biggest chess inspirations, Shama mentioned Coach Wilson and added, “I always admired Karpov’s games and style.” Anatoly Karpov (the 12th World Champion) is an excellent example for a young player to follow. At his peak, Karpov was incredibly hard to beat but was noted for his superb positional play. “We study a lot of Karpov,” Wilson told The Chess Drum. Shama has beaten several International Masters, a testament to her steady play.

Here is a recent game against Serbia’s GM Aleksa Strikovic.

Historical Context

There have always been discussions about “first,” dating back to the rise of Baraka Shabazz, one of the first female breakout media stars of American chess in the 1980s. Her story was unique, as few female “prodigies” had been presented in American chess. Born in Alaska, Baraka rose quickly, was #6 on the women’s list, and became a star in Black media circles. What followed were public appearances and a crush of media attention. However, the media attention resulted in higher expectations, primarily from her parents.

Shabazz played in the 1981 U.S. Women’s Championship with fellow-teen Alexey Rudolph (now Dr. Alexey Root) but came in 9th of twelve players with 4.5/12. After this, she became despondent and soon abandoned the game in disgust. The Chess Drum communicated with Shabazz several years ago, and she recounted her story in great detail. It turned out to be one of the most tragic chess stories and should be a lesson to us all.

Many opinions exist on whether Shama would have benefited from earlier exposure. However, if we look at cases (past and present) of Black girls who have received significant media attention, it did not always serve them well. National Master Lawyer Times, who runs a successful academy in Boston, made the following comment:

Amazing feat. Had never heard about her. Maybe a good thing to not have the pressure of being watched so much.

~NM Lawyer Times

Many talented players in the African Diaspora have received either too much or too little publicity, neither of which is favorable. The reality is that there should be an emphasis on quality publicity over quantity. Many parents and coaches are protective, but well-placed quality articles can go a long way in providing the right type of exposure and additional opportunities.

Shama Yisrael (front row, 3rd from right) as a Tournament Director
at one of the scholastic tournaments in Florida.
Photo by U.S. Chess

The Stony Road to 2200

Last month, GM Maurice Ashley asked this writer, “Have you written about Shama Yisrael? Black girl who recently hit 2199.” It was an exciting moment that the two had discussed many times over the years. Those close to Shama were careful not to add undue pressure on her as she closed in on the title. When The Chess Drum requested information about Shama in early 2024, there was a suggestion from Coach Wilson not to run a story on her. To honor the wishes of her camp, there were no articles written on her progress.

Shama was on the verge of making National Master a few times, as the above chart indicated. A number of African-American female players have crossed the 2000 rating barrier and set their sights on earning the coveted master’s title. Why had there been no African-American female to reach master before? It was a common question, especially after the movie Brooklyn Castle premiered. The answer is multifaceted. There are many factors, including location, age, access to tournaments, financial support, and mentorship.

While Shama told The Chess Drum that her main challenge was access to strong tournaments, she benefited from a supportive family, coach, and a home club. Coach Wilson was the first to break the news to the chess world, followed by Facebook posts at The Chess Drum. The story gathered steam, and a U.S. Chess post got this response from Ashley.

For those of us who have waited a long time to see this, my heartfelt congratulations to the brilliant young lady! Onwards and upwards!

— Maurice Ashley (@MauriceAshley) July 14, 2024

What Does This Mean?

Between 2012 and 2016, England’s WIM Sabrina Chevannes appeared in 15 U.S. tournaments as a British national and earned the National Master’s title. She was shocked that no African-American females had achieved the title. Shama’s breakthrough represents a positive direction in chess, and it may serve as a catalyst to inspire Black girls around the world who tend to be underrepresented at chess tournaments.

Shama’s examples of determination were noted by GM Aleksander Lenderman.

Congratulations! What I find notable and impressive is that Shama reached all the way to 2199 and had some terrible luck to drop back to around 2150s and still had the strength and perseverance to fight back and get back to high 2100s and eventually cross 2200!

~GM Aleksander Lenderman

This determination is essential as many players have arrived at the point of making master (even 2199) and then regressed, never to make it. Shama’s accomplishment is an important milestone and it had been a long time coming. In the future, other African-American girls will be inspired to follow Shama’s path and learn from her journey.

Congratulations NM Shama Yisrael!

Photo courtesy of 954 Chess Club