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 Daaim Shabazz appear in the “Just Checking” segment, which has traditionally appeared on the back page. Much of what appears in this profile shows the chess personality’s lighter side. The audience will have no knowledge because the questions are of a more personal nature.
In 2013, Magnus Carlsen was on the cover of four of the eight issues. The latest New In Chess covers India’s historic triumph, winning double gold in the Olympiad’s Open and Women’s sections. The event represented a shift in the balance of power, not only in terms of nations but also in terms of the dispersion of chess talent. At this point, it is pointing eastward, with Asia boasting two of the most powerful chess nations.
Looking at the breakthroughs, we have noticed that New in Chess has recognized this shift, and issues have been more inclusive of non-European and non-GM personalities. During the 2018 Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, Guezendam requested an article from Shabazz, who later penned an article for New In Chess (2020/8) titled “The Beat of The Chess Drum.”
The article explained the evolution of the website, and in addition to the history, it included games from Emory Tate, Watu Kobese, Amon Simutowe, and Kassa Korley. This was an opportunity for the world to see the contributions of The Chess Drum and learn about why such a platform is needed. So New in Chess has decided to profile Daaim Shabazz in a rare look at some of his non-chess interests.
There were other questions, but some that didn’t make the cut were…
Is there a chess book that had a profound influence on you?
1953 Zurich Chess Tournament by David Bronstein
And the best game you played?
Probably a win as black against Jamaica’s Geoffrey Byfield with 12…g5! It was inspired by Shirov-Polgar, 1994. (Note: I have better wins, but the g5 theme was instructive.)
What was the most exciting chess game you ever saw?
Anatoly Karpov- Ulf Andersson, Milan 1975. It inspired my fascination with hedgehog structures.
