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USA
Jessica Hyatt earns National Master title!
Jessica Hyatt can now add National Master to her name after waiting a long time to celebrate this moment. This past weekend at the FIDE Premier at the Marshall Chess Club, the 18-year-old Brooklyn native was able to push her rating to 2200 for the first time. In 2019, Hyatt…
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Opinion/Editorials
Why are numbers declining in Black Chess?
There seems to be a decline in the number of Black players participating in major U.S. tournaments. The World Open is one of America’s marquee events and is typically a chess tournament where many players want to make magic happen. It is also the tournament that acts as a sort…
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Media Stories
The story of Shama Yisrael, the first female African-American Chess Master
National Master Shama YisraelPhoto by Otis Wilson/954 Chess Club Shama Yisrael earned the title of National Master last weekend, becoming the first African-American woman to earn the coveted honor. After playing in several tournaments in a week’s time, the 20-year-old earned her last few points at the Pincrest Independence Open.…
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Drum Majors
Saad Elmi gets 2nd IM norm!
Saad Elmi of Norway earned his 2nd IM norm at the Zadar GM Norm Tournament in Croatia. He ended on an undefeated 6/9, drawing all three GMs in the field. Now at 18, Elmi has collected two IM norms and according to mentor GM Pontus Carlsson, “He just missed the…
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Media Stories
Tani Adewumi wins U.S. Cadet!
U.S. Chess Online reports another milestone for FM Tani Adewumi! Now 13 years old, Adewumi won the 2024 U.S. Cadet title in Lisle, Illinois. The tournament was held June 20th-23rd and invited the top players under 16. Winning with a score of 6/7, he was a full two points ahead…
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USA
St. Louis Chess Club upgrading!
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis (CCSCSL or St. Louis Chess Club) has been slowly expanding since its opening in 2008. The chess club is the home of the U.S. Championships, the Sinquefield Cup and Grand Chess Tour events. Since I have relatives in the St. Louis…
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HBCU Chess
Howard University Chess Club approaches 100 years!
Howard University, founded in 1867, is a preeminent institution of higher learning. Jamaal Abdul-Alim has been an unofficial advisor to the chess club for several years, helping the organization in various areas, including a recent historical project. Currently an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, he is keen on the…
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Drum Majors
Bernard Parham, chess innovator, passes away
Bernard Parham I, the 1967 Indiana State Champion and creator of the Matrix Chess System, has passed away. His son Bernard II relayed the news to The Chess Drum, “Resigned against diabetes on Wednesday, June 19th—one day after reaching his 58th wedding anniversary.” Born on October 30, 1946, to Eddie…
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Opinion/Editorials
The Rise of Deborah Quickpen
In the aftermath of the “Battle of the Ages” match between Nigerians Tunde Onakoya and rising star Deborah Quickpen, we are possibly witnessing the beginning of a new era in African chess. While many are raving about the top-level prodigies from around the world (specifically Asia), Africa has yet to…
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Media Stories
Chess molds NBA Champion, Jaylen Brown
A couple of nights ago, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics became an NBA Champion. He was also voted the Most Valuable Player of the series, justifying his mammoth five-year, $304 million contract signed the previous year. There were questions about whether the dynamic duo of Brown and fellow All-Star…
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