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The Chess Drum
The Chess Drum is 21 years old!
Hello everyone! The Chess Drum’s 21st year represents the official coming of age. Last year there was a 20-year reflection highlighting critical events in each year. It was a lot of work, but it was well worth the time and effort. When you embark upon a project, you never know…
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The Chess Drum
Frank Johnson & Hyperluxe.gg eSports Initiative
Frank “ChessCoach” JohnsonPhoto by Hyperluxe Hyperluxe is partnering with chess celebrity Frank “ChessCoach” Johnson to provide critical guidance in chess culture and tournament organizing. JACKSON, MS, USA, February 10, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Hyperluxe Gaming which delivers tournament-style Esports is now turning its attention to the world of chess. Competitive chess…
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Drum Majors
Black History Month 2022-Day 11: Historic Games!
Back in 2003, I wrote an article titled, “Ten of the Best Games Played by Black Masters.” Included in that list were games such as Tate-Ashley, Tate-Yudasin and Giles-Browne, to name a few. While Paige-Formanek is shown again for prosperity, there have been some worthy additions. Following are five historic…
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The Chess Drum
Black History Month 2022-Day 10: The Moors of Spain
One powerful piece of African history is often forgotten or ignored and it has a tremendous relationship to chess. It is known that the Moors brought the Persian variant “Shatranj” into Spain after the incursion of Tariq ibn-Ziyad. Tariq commanded his 7,000 soldiers across the strait into al-Andalus (modern-day Spain)…
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The Chess Drum
Black History Month 2022-Day 9: Robert Gwaze’s Gold!
At this year’s 2022 Chess Olympiad in Moscow, Russia, we will commemorate the 20th year of Zimbabwean IM Robert Gwaze winning the gold medal for his 9/9 performance. This feat took place in the fall of 2002 in Bled, Slovenia, and sent triumphant tremors throughout the continent and the African…
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Drum Majors
Black History Month 2022-Day 8: FM Morris Giles
“I’ve never heard of him.” This is a statement I’ve heard many times when referring to FM Morris Giles. In covering Black players in the U.S. or “African-Americans” as we are commonly called, there are those who invoke vivid memories. Of course, we have heard of Maurice Ashley and Emory…
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The Chess Drum
Black History Month 2022-Day 7: Philly’s Roberts Vaux Jr. High
Scholastic chess has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. With Supernationals drawing over 5500+ players from across the country, times have never been better to start playing chess. When Supernationals VI set a record for 5577 players, it demonstrated how far scholastic chess has grown. There…
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Drum Majors
Black History Month 2022-Day 6: Theophilus Thompson
Theophilus Thompson as one of the most intriguing figures in the modern American chess era. Born April 21st, 1855, he worked as a 14-year old domestic servant. According to the 1870 U.S. Census, he was living in the home of William Higgins, a County Constable. Two years later, he returned…
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Drum Majors
Black History Month 2022-Day 5: Wilbert Paige Memorial
NM Wilbert Paige (1959-1994)Photo by Jerry Bibuld One of the most important chess events in Black history had to have been the Wilbert Paige Memorial. The tournament was held in honor of Philadelphia master Wilbert Paige who died in 1994 in his mid-30s. A product of West Philadelphia High School…
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The Chess Drum
Black History Month 2022-Day 4: Baraka Shabazz
Baraka Shabazz’s demure pose is a testament to her confidence and poise. This photo was featured in Chicago Metro News, December 4, 1982 as part of Tony Brown Journal segment. When she burst onto the scene in the early 80s, Baraka Shabazz (pronounced sha-boz) was a curious girl who learned…
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