-
Media Stories
Chess activist Ernest Levert still healing after aneurysm
Back in April, social chess activist Ernest “Ern” Levert, Jr. of Columbus, Ohio suffered a brain aneurysm and was put in a medically-induced coma. Once he regained consciousness, his life and those of his family members changed forever. The Columbus community was devastated at the news. Local news covered the…
Read More » -
Drum Majors
Brewington Hardaway is now a Chess Grandmaster!
Brewington Hardaway has qualified for the title of “International Grandmaster” after reaching the required 2500 FIDE rating during the New York Fall GM Invitational. At the tournament, Hardaway finished with an undefeated 6/9 ending with five draws. Hardaway completed all of his norms for the IM (#1, #2, #3) and…
Read More » -
Drum Majors
Maurice Ashley’s new chess initiative announced!
For decades, Grandmaster Maurice Ashley has been on the cutting edge of chess news, whether through championship coaching, giving exciting commentary, delivering training courses, or organizing million-dollar tournaments. While he can still be seen giving guest lectures and doing commentary, he is now embarking on a bold, new initiative. Ashley…
Read More » -
Drum Majors
Saad Elmi clinches IM title at World U18!
Saad Abobaker Elmi of Norway earned his final IM norm at the World Youth under-18 in Brazil after finishing 7.5/11. This result comes months after he earned his 2nd IM norm (barely missing a GM norm) at the Zadar GM Norm Tournament in Croatia. Elmi scored his first IM norm at the…
Read More » -
World Championships
Preview of WCC 2024… Ding-Gukesh
The 2024 World Chess Championship (WCC 2024) will take place in Singapore starting November 25th and lasting three weeks until December 15th. The match will feature China’s World Champion Ding Liren (Lizhen) against India’s Dommaraju Gukesh. The two most populous countries will join the millions following the match with great…
Read More » -
Jamaica
Shreyas Smith takes Jamaican title with 9/9
FM Shreyas Smith won his fifth Jamaican national title with a scintillating performance. At 27, he was the “senior” member of the national team in Budapest Olympiad. Smith is also one of the mainstays on the national scene. FM Shreyas SmithPhoto Shreyas Smith (lichess.org) At the 2024 Jamaica National Championship,…
Read More » -
Drum Majors
Glenn Umstead, “The Chess Artist” passes away
National Master Glenn Umstead was one of the most dedicated chess enthusiasts on the East Coast. “Supercoach” passed away on October 24, 2024, at his home in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and was laid to rest on November 2nd. Glenn had suffered a stroke in 2022 and was reportedly not…
Read More » -
In the News
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…
Read More » -
Drum Majors
Lawyer Times sponsored by Celts’ Jaylen Brown
National Master Lawyer Times has been running the Future Masters Chess Academy in the Boston area for nearly a decade. The 2017 Massachusetts state champion was a local standout at Boston Latin High School where his team won a national championship. Since then, he has continued his chess involvement but…
Read More » -
Drum Majors
Remembering Emory Tate
It has been nine years since International Master Emory Tate passed away on October 17, 2015, while competing in the Sam Shankland Open tournament. He was a lifelong loyalist to chess, a brilliant tactician, and displayed immense passion. This earned him a huge following. Emory Tate vacationing in MexicoPhoto by…
Read More »
