Drum Majors
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Historic Moments: The Wilbert Paige Memorial Chess Tournament
The Wilbert Paige Memorial Chess Tournament was a historic event that gained worldwide attention as ten masters of African descent gathered for the first tournament of its kind. Played in historic Harlem, the tournament was named in honor of NM Wilbert Paige, a Philadelphia Master possessing a deep passion for…
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IM Watu Kobese: The African Lion
A couple of years ago, KasparovChess.com interviewed South African IM Watu Kobese. This interview is refreshing look at one of Africa’s brightest hopes for its next Grandmaster. In the interview, Mark Rubery asked a question pertaining to the legendary story of an 8-year-old Kobese challenging then-champion GM Anatoly Karpov in a match!! IM Watu Kobese Other…
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A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE: A Brief History of Black Chess Masters in America (1998)
Reproduced at The Chess Drum with written permission from Mr. Gregory Kearse This article appeared in Chess Life, July 1998 edition eputations are not easy to come by in chess. Only a history of excellence and success over the board will propel a player into the limelight, push him into…
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Historic Moments: CHESS from around the World!
Atlanta, Georgia (USA) Clockwise: Frank Johnson at one of his many study sessions with Shredder. A blitz session between a determined Issac Hinch (L) and a trash-talkin’ Donald Jackson (R) draws an audience of FM Stephen Muhammad and Sulaiman Smith (standing). Smith and Muhammad set battle into motion with a…
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Historic Moments: Black History Month: A Special Tribute!!
The Moors of Spain The month of February brings us much reverence from those who have blazed the trail so that we may strive for higher heights. In this “Black History Month,” and on the 1st anniversary of The Chess Drum (12 February 2002), we take time to honor those…
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Historic Moments: A Sketch of the Legendary Frank Street
The first thing you may have noticed about this page is the pensive pose of a young man on the cover of America’s national chess magazine, Chess Life. The figure on the cover is a living legend by the name of Frank Street, Jr. Mr. Street was blazing the trails…
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The Making of The Chess Drum
From time to time, I’m asked a number of questions about the website, The Chess Drum. The site has developed over the past year and players who I meet at tournaments want to know the hows and the whys, so to speak. Well… there’s a short answer and a long…
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Historic Moments: Featuring Cuba’s Rogelio Ortega
Cuba’s Native Son Rogelio Ortega The island of Cuba has a great many traditions. With its distinct blend of Spanish and African heritage, Cuba bustles with energy and its citizens are friendly, easy-going and very passionate. One passion that pervades the Cuban society is chess. The birthplace of former World…
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What does the future hold for Black Chess?
Leroy Muhammad during a brief comeback in 1978. Muhammad, born Leroy Jackson, was a scholastic star in the 60s and the third Black player to achieve National Master title. Photo by Bill Merrell. When one looks at the current state of affairs of chess among people of the African diaspora,…
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Historic Moments: The 2001 World Open (Philadelphia)
Following are pictures from the historic 2001 World Open. This tournament featured a contingent of African players touring the U.S. The usual excitement filled the air as many of the Black players scored impressive results. To see a larger view of thumbnails, click on image. The colored photographs were taken…
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