Drum Majors
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William Griffin… chess pioneer in 1900s
Owen Clarkin sent me notice of a Black chess player from the 1900s named William E. Griffin. He was born in Missouri and apparently had achieved moderate success. Griffin mentioned that he did not know of many players of his race, but James McCune Smith and Theophilus Thompson had already…
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Justus Williams is K8 co-champ!
Dewain Barber with co-champs Michael Brown & Justus Williams. Photo by Melinda Matthews. Justus Williams shared joint 1st with Michael Brown at the K-8 Championship during the U.S. Open in Orlando. Justus finished on a sparkling 5.5/6 to push his USCF rating to 2265. He beat Cadet champion Arthur Shen…
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The “Exterminator” annotates!
FM William Morrison (right) facing NM William Wright.Photo by Daaim Shabazz/The Chess Drum The World Open is perhaps the largest stage of American chess. The tournament has been in Philadelphia for the past 39 years but after its 40th anniversary in 2012, it will find a new home in Virginia…
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Orelvis Perez Mitjans making his mark!
IM Orelvis Perez Mitjans (Spain) Photo by Societat Coral Colon.Orelvis Perez Mitjans was born in Cuba 35 years ago (28 July 1976) and learned chess the way many of us learn… in an informal setting. Watching chess players in Central Park in Havana he was drawn to the game and…
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James Black stars at World Open!
James Black , Jr. has already had a prodigious scholastic career and he was just coming off of a triple win at the National Youth Championships with three titles. So he went into the World Open with other young aspirants hoping to make an impact. Playing in the under-2400 section,…
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Korley gets 1st IM Norm!
FM Kassa Korley scored his first IM norm with a strong showing at the New York International. The Duke-bound FM ended on 5.5/9 earning his first International Master norm and pushing his USCF rating to 2365. Korley scored 50% against six IMs and drew with GM Kidambi Sundararajan of India.…
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