Interviews
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Jamaican Chess dons post-Olympiad energy
The Jamaican chess delegation trekked to Budapest, Hungary, for the 45th Chess Olympiad. The island nation sent two teams, with former president Ian Wilkinson as head of the delegation. The event marked the 100th anniversary of FIDE, the world’s governing chess body. The Chess Drum got a chance to chat with members…
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Jamaica’s Wilkinson re-elected to FIDE post
Ian Wilkinson, attending his 11th straight Olympiad, was re-elected as a member of the FIDE Constitutional Commission (CC). He described the vote as being ‘hotly contested.‘ Wilkinson comes with some history in FIDE, having served eight years on the Ethics Commission and even running as Vice President in the 2022 Election.…
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Maurice Ashley talks chess in Budapest
Grandmaster Maurice Ashley was spotted at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, but he told The Chess Drum that he was not there as a delegate or captain, but merely as a chess tourist. Most will know Ashley as one of the most visible commentators of the chess world, but…
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HBCU Chess Spotlight: Alan Cowan
Alan Cowan was co-valedictorian of Morehouse College’s 2023 graduating class. He kindled an intense interest in finance and now works in venture capital for Mosaic General Partnership in San Francisco. Apart from his academic achievements, he executed one of the most potentially impactful ideas in American chess. In 2020, Cowan…
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HBCU Chess Spotlight: Spelman College
Jamila Thompson is a graduating senior at Spelman College. The native New Yorker was taught chess by her father and continued her passion as a collegiate. While at Spelman, she joined other chess players in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) to match wits. Morehouse College hosted the club meetings and…
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HBCU Chess Spotlight: Hampton University
Hampton University traveled 22 hours to the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic in Atlanta after a last-minute effort by the Hampton Alumni Association to fund their travel. As Breon McCray III described it, they nearly had to nix the trip when they could not raise the requisite funds to travel. They…
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HBCU Chess Spotlight: North Carolina A&T
North Carolina A&T Aggies, 1st place team (2024 HBCU Chess Classic)Photo by Daaim Shabazz/The Chess Drum Dressed in their North Carolina A&T gear, “Aggie Pride” was on full display at the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic. Currently the largest HBCU, the Aggies rode six hours from North Carolina to Atlanta to…
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HBCU Chess Spotlight: Howard University
Howard University has a long and esteemed history as an institution. One of the most well-known universities in the country, it also doubles as a premier HBCU (Historically Black College and University). There is also a very long history in terms of chess. Journalist Jamaal Abdul-Alim gave a presentation to…
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Meet the Kings & Queens of HBCU Chess!
HBCU Chess has a long but largely undocumented history. During the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic hosted by The Black Odyssey, six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (known as “HBCUs”) gathered to participate in the 2nd annual event. Hampton, Howard, Morehouse, and North Carolina A&T, each fielded two teams. While Florida…
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FAMU’s Caleb Parker is 2024 HBCU Chess Champion!
Daniel Buckley (Engineering), Florian Dorleans (FAMU Alumnus), Caleb Parker (Computer Information Systems), Lee Parker (School of Allied Health), Dr. Daaim Shabazz (School of Business & Industry) At the 2nd HBCU Chess Classic, Florida A&M sophomore Caleb Parker won the individual event with 5/5. The event was held at the Georgia…
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