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Drum Majors
Black Stars shine at World Open
The World Open has been the stage for realizing that chess has many faces. In 37 years, this tournament is typically a time of great celebration for players of African descent. There is no official side event designated for this celebration, but this is a tournament that attracts players from…
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Audio
Hikaru chats with The Chess Drum
Photo by Daaim Shabazz/The Chess Drum Hikaru Nakamura had just finished playing a tough game with Evgeny Najer in the 7th round of the World Open. After winning the game on move 55, the 21-year old knew that the fate would lie in the hands of players who he had…
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Africa
Simutowe’s GM title conferred!!
Amon Simutowe receiving his certificate for his 3rd GM norm in 2007. Photo by Ben Schulte. It has been two years since Zambia’s Amon Simutowe had earned his 3rd GM norm. After adding a couple more norms, he still had not reached the required 2500 rating barrier. Recently, he had…
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Najer, Nakamura win World Open!
Viktor Mikalevski ponders Gata Kamsky’s next move while Nakamura-Najer reaches the climatic stage. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. In an unusual ending to America’s premier tournament, Evgeny Najer and Hikaru Nakamura topped the World Open field with a final 7-2 tally. What made this result so unusual was that Nakamura had…
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Jamaica’s Wilkinson gets 4th term
Ian Wilkinson was re-elected unopposed to start his fourth two-year term as president of the Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF), at the annual general meeting and awards ceremony of the JCF, held at the Alhambra Inn in Kingston last Saturday. Wilkinson, who was unchallenged for the post, will lead a team…
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2009 World Open (Philadelphia, USA)
The marquee event in the USA has begun and a projected 1100 players will make their way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to compete for a $250,000 prize fund. The tournament has added several new side tournaments and will be featured throughout. However, the main event will feature the world’s top players…
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Drum Majors
Meet NM Barry Davis
Born in Buffalo, New York, U.S. Chess Master Barry Davis had honed his skills in the chess Mecca for decades and is part of a cadre of Black players who trail-blazed the chess circuit in the 70s. Having just celebrated his 53rd birthday, Davis remembers what it was like in…
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Nakamura gets invite to Corus A!
Nakamura, 2009 U.S. Champion Photo by Daaim Shabazz. This past weekend a story leaked that GM Hikaru Nakamura had been extended an invitation to Corus “A”. The story was keep under wraps for a few days. In fact, The Chess Drum’s Daaim Shabazz chatted with Hikaru Nakamura on Facebook and…
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Harper battles at NY International
Trinidad’s FM Ryan Harper has been his island’s national champion for a number of times. Having broken the dominance of countryman FM Christo Cave, he has ventured out find opportunities for IM norms. Harper is competing in the New York International with seven GMs and 14 IMs. GM Jaan Ehlvest…
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