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The Chess Drum
24 years for The Chess Drum!
The Chess Drum community… Today marks the 24th anniversary of the founding of The Chess Drum. It is rare to have a digital platform for such a long time, and it may very well be the end of an era. Times have certainly changed, and content has moved across various…
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Drum Majors
Stephen Muhammad, pioneering International Master (1962-2024)
Stephen Muhammad, an International Master and Georgia Chess Hall of Fame nominee, passed away on December 8th, 2024, after a short battle with colon cancer. He was 62. According to an online obituary, Stephen leaves to cherish his memories: one sister: Cheryle (Harold) Stewart, Plaquemine, LA; four brothers, Michael Booth…
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HBCU Chess
FAMU Chess Club shines at Club Fair!
The FAMU Chess Club participated in the school’s club fair with about 40 other campus organizations. This was the first activity for the chess-playing Rattlers since being officially recognized as a club on January 28th. This is the first time in more than 20 years that there has been an…
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Drum Majors
NextGen Cup: An African Diaspora Chess Battle!
The NextGen Cup is a novel tournament with a $20,000 fund featuring ten master-level players throughout the African Diaspora. It will take place on chess.com on February 6th. IM Kassa Korley, a player who has his own Grandmaster aspirations, is currently employed as chess.com’s Director of Professional Relations. He told…
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Obituary
Chess Educator, Ernest Levert passes (1990-2025)
The greatest service one can give to their community is love and time. Dear Chess Community, It is with deep regret that I inform the chess community of the passing of Ernest Levert, Jr. on January 8th, 2025. He is survived by his wife Ivory, daughter Zamya, and son Zenith.…
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Opinion/Editorials
The Growing Pains of a New Chess Era
After crowning a new champion, chess is experiencing difficult “growing pains” as it prepares for a new era. World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju won the title a month ago against defending champion Ding Liren of China in a match between two Asian champions. There were celebrations in India, and the entire…
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The Chess Drum
The Chess Drum’s Highlights of 2024
What a year! The highlights of 2024 have been memorable! We have crowned a new world champion and ushered in a new era of rising stars. Eighteen-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju of India won the world title by beating Ding Liren in thrilling fashion. The 14-game match saw interesting ideas, tough struggles,…
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World Rapid & Blitz
Hardaway, Adewumi debut at World Rapid & Blitz
Growing up fast! Brewington Hardaway, Tani Adewumi and Andy Woodward at the 2024 World Rapid & Blitz.Photo by Michal Walusza Brewington Hardaway and Tani Adewumi are currently making their debuts in the 2024 World Rapid & Blitz Tournaments in New York City. It seems appropriate that these two young talents…
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HBCU Chess
Howard University Chess preparing for 2025 Pan-Ams
Howard University Chess Club is preparing for the 2025 Pan-Am Intercollegiate tournament to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, January 2-5, 2025. The club’s President, Lawrence Custis, has announced the club’s participation and is holding a fundraiser to cover expenses. The Howard Chess Club has participated in the Pan-Ams on several occasions,…
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Drum Majors
Walter Harris, America’s 1st Black Chess Master, dead at 83
Dear Chess Community, Yesterday, I learned that Walter Harris, America’s first Black National Master, had passed away on October 12th, 2024. Harris was 83 at the time of his demise and had no survivors. During a phone conversation with Frank Street (America’s second Black National Master), he expressed a concern…
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