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Obituary
Homegoing for Herminio Baez Jr. (1954-2018)
Herminio Baez On yesterday I received the unfortunate news that Herminio Baez, Jr. passed away on Wednesday morning May 2nd. He was 63. The proud chess-playing father left was survived by his loving soul mate of 38 years Daniella Baez, four children including his three sons Antonio, Steven, Chris and…
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Drum Majors
Chicago tops Detroit in the “City Showdown”
Chicago Chess Blitzers heading to Detroit You knew it was going to be a “Thriller” in Motown. Chicago Chess Blitzers (CCB) drove four hours to take on sibling city in a blitz battle. The match had seen a buildup of trash-talking with Detroiters posting choice words in social media. On…
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FIDE
Makropolous announces candidacy for FIDE President
Georgios Makropolous has announced his candidacy for FIDE President. In what has been a very tumultuous period for FIDE, the Deputy President seeks to consolidate the authority that has been bestowed upon him when FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was placed under sanctions by the U.S. government on conspiracy charges. Deputy…
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Asia
Justus Williams at 2018 Bangkok Open
FM Justus WilliamsPhoto by Daaim Shabazz FM Justus Williams of Webster University has spent the semester abroad in Thailand at the satellite campus. He is finishing his second year and appears to be having a great time thus far. He told me back in February, “Thailand has been great so…
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Drum Majors
13 Triple Exclam autographed copies left!
While limited supplies last, The Chess Drum is offering the final copies of the hardback version of Triple Exclam: The Life and Games of Emory Tate, Chess Warrior. The book has been the subject of favorable reviews worldwide in tribute to International Master Emory Tate. Triple Exclam is a hardback,…
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Media Stories
Chicago’s Cops & Kids Chess initiative
America is on fire once again. Another death of an unarmed man at the hand of police officers has evoked nationwide protests. In that aftermatch of numerous similar incidents, organizations are attempting to affect change to prevent these types of tragedies from recurring. Chicago’s David Heiser of Renaissance Knights Chess…
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Drum Majors
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Media Stories
Tallahassee’s Walter Hand, chess pioneer
I met Walter Hand many years ago at the old Border’s bookstore in Tallahassee, Florida where chess players met on Wednesday evening. He stood out due to his wheelchair and his cerebral palsy disability, but I also noticed that he was there every single week without fail. The transport service…
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FIDE
Caruana holding steady at 2018 Candidates
During this rest day, the 2018 World Candidates tournament is heading toward a very exciting ending. America’s Fabiano Caruana has held sole lead (6/9) for a couple of rounds breaking away from Shahkriyar Mamedyarov (5½/9), also undefeated. Caruana has had a very solid showing thus far and only obstinate defense…
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Media Stories
Book Review: Chess Behind Bars
Chess is often thought of as a game of the high-browed intelligentsia. It has adherents worldwide and is touted as an activity to sharpen one’s mind and to enhance cognitive ability. Does chess really make people smart? No, but it can certainly help the mind stay sharp and teach valuable…
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