-
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
The Chess Drum
Black History Month 2022-Day 3: Leroy Muhammad
St. Louis is known as a center of chess activity today with its Chess Center and Scholastic Center and as the host of the World Chess Hall of Fame. It is also a magnet for attracting international chess talent to several universities in the area. However, St. Louis had a…
Read More » -
The Chess Drum
Black History Month 2022-Day 2: Rogelio Ortega
Cuba has long been a country of great courage and pride. It has a proud tradition of chess in the memory of José Raúl Capablanca and has produced a number of strong players. Unbeknownst to many, there has been a strong cadre of Cuban players of African ancestry and we…
Read More » -
Historic Moments
Black History Month 2022-Day 1: Paragon Chess Club
Over the years, I have written a number of articles and produced videos for Black History Month. I remember one where I gave a history of how the commemoration was started in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Is Black History Relevant? While some criticize the idea of highlighting a…
Read More » -
Nigeria
Tunde Onakoya’s mission takes chess to Nigerian slums
Tunde Onakoya’s mission to invigorate the Nigerian slum through chess has taken a grand leap. Three years ago, Tunde was in the news after writing of an adorable little girl named Basirat Ariyike. She became a symbol of what Onakoya was trying to achieve in his “Chess in Slums” initiative.…
Read More » -
Cuba
FM Ignacio Pérez (1967-2022) passes away
FM Ignacio Perez (1967-2022) Photo by Washington State Chess Federation The Seattle chess community is in mourning after the passing of Ignacio Pérez on January 11th, 2022. The long-time Seattle resident succumbed after a lengthy battle with throat cancer but remained active in the chess community despite his illness. He…
Read More » -
The Chess Drum
Seattle builds Detective Cookie Chess Park!
Despite her own ambivalence toward chess as a youth,Officer Cookie has shared its joys.Photo by Genna Martin After decades of service, Denise “Cookie” Bouldin is having “Detective Cookie Chess Park” built in her honor. Detective Cookie been featured on The Chess Drum over the years with her Urban Youth Chess…
Read More » -
Niger
Belize, Dominica, Niger, and St. Vincent join FIDE
A couple months ago, GM Nigel Short contacted The Chess Drum and mentioned that St. Vincent and the Grenadines would become a provisional FIDE member. At the 92nd General Assembly meeting, St. Vincent as well as Belize, Dominica and Niger became full FIDE members. St. Vincent & Grenadines Back in…
Read More »
