Drum Majors
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GM Carlsson invites you to Charity Chess Event
GM Pontus Carlsson invited The Chess Drum community to participate in his Zero Requiem charity event to benefit the development of chess in Africa. In his ongoing Business Meets Chess & Kids initiative, he involves celebrities, business executive and chess enthusiasts to enjoy chess and meet “chess kids” who have…
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Stephen Muhammad, pioneering International Master (1962-2024)
Stephen Muhammad, an International Master and Georgia Chess Hall of Fame nominee, passed away on December 8th, 2024, after a short battle with colon cancer. He was 62. According to an online obituary, Stephen leaves to cherish his memories: one sister: Cheryle (Harold) Stewart, Plaquemine, LA; four brothers, Michael Booth…
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NextGen Cup: An African Diaspora Chess Battle!
The NextGen Cup is a novel tournament with a $20,000 fund featuring ten master-level players throughout the African Diaspora. It will take place on chess.com on February 6th. IM Kassa Korley, a player who has his own Grandmaster aspirations, is currently employed as chess.com’s Director of Professional Relations. He told…
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Walter Harris, America’s 1st Black Chess Master, dead at 83
Dear Chess Community, Yesterday, I learned that Walter Harris, America’s first Black National Master, had passed away on October 12th, 2024. Harris was 83 at the time of his demise and had no survivors. During a phone conversation with Frank Street (America’s second Black National Master), he expressed a concern…
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17-year-old Nyuima Tersee is new Nigerian Champion!
Nyuima Ferdinand Tersee won the 2024 Nigerian National Championship over several titled and veteran players. The 17-year-old from Benue State bested a field of veterans and titled players as the youngest in the nation’s history to win the coveted title. In the aftermath of Gukesh Dommaraju’s world title, the age…
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Brewington Hardaway is now a Chess Grandmaster!
Brewington Hardaway has qualified for the title of “International Grandmaster” after reaching the required 2500 FIDE rating during the New York Fall GM Invitational. At the tournament, Hardaway finished with an undefeated 6/9, ending with five draws. Hardaway completed all of his norms for the IM (#1, #2, #3) and…
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Maurice Ashley’s new chess initiative announced!
For decades, Grandmaster Maurice Ashley has been on the cutting edge of chess news, whether through championship coaching, giving exciting commentary, delivering training courses, or organizing million-dollar tournaments. While he can still be seen giving guest lectures and doing commentary, he is now embarking on a bold, new initiative. Ashley…
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Saad Elmi clinches IM title at World U18!
Saad Abobaker Elmi of Norway earned his final IM norm at the World Youth under-18 in Brazil after finishing 7.5/11. This result comes months after he earned his 2nd IM norm (barely missing a GM norm) at the Zadar GM Norm Tournament in Croatia. Elmi scored his first IM norm at the…
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Shreyas Smith takes Jamaican title with 9/9
FM Shreyas Smith won his fifth Jamaican national title with a scintillating performance. At 27, he was the “senior” member of the national team in Budapest Olympiad. Smith is also one of the mainstays on the national scene. FM Shreyas SmithPhoto Shreyas Smith (lichess.org) At the 2024 Jamaica National Championship,…
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Glenn Umstead, “The Chess Artist” passes away
National Master Glenn Umstead was one of the most dedicated chess enthusiasts on the East Coast. “Supercoach” passed away on October 24, 2024, at his home in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and was laid to rest on November 2nd. Glenn had suffered a stroke in 2022 and was reportedly not…
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