North America
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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: 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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Philadelphia’s Akeem Gregory-Thompson
The Twin Dynamos Akeem Gregory-ThompsonPhoto by Daaim Shabazz Bruce Thompson Sr., beams with pride when speaking of his chess playing sons, Bruce Jr. and Akeem. Akeem was persistent in his request to learn the game that had captured his imagination. Bruce Sr. states, “Akeem used to ask me occasionally, to…
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The Benefits of Scholastic Chess
The Carver H.S. chess team, 1981. Pictured above is a picture taken from The Chicago Defender (April 14, 1981). The photo accompanied a story titled, “Checkmate with Soul” about the chess team at Carver High School, a public school powerhouse of the late-70s to mid-80s. Melvin Alsberry (seated left) was…
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Reflections on the Wilbert Paige Memorial
The 2nd Harlem Renaissance!!All photos Daaim Shabazz (The Chess Drum) On the 13 July 2001, 10 players of African descent traveled to historic Harlem to help fulfill a dream for many. The Wilbert Paige Memorial tournament, which had been conceived months earlier by Dr. Jones Murphy Jr. and put together…
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Wilbert Paige Memorial: Round #9
Wilbert Paige Memorial(14-23rd of July 2001, Harlem NY, Hotel Theresa) Round #9 Tuesday, 23 July 2001) Pre-game analysis: The heat is on for two players in the penultimate round of the Wilbert Paige Memorial tournament! Both FM William “The Exterminator” Morrison and NM Norman “Pete” Rogers will have to come…
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Wilbert Paige Memorial: Round #8
Wilbert Paige Memorial(14-23rd of July 2001, Harlem NY, Hotel Theresa) Round #8 (Monday, 22 July 2001) Exchanging and getting autographs… classic moment!Bob Ali getting autograph from Amon Simutowe Wilbert Paige Memorial players and commentators. Seated (L-R) IM Amon Simutowe, NM Grace Nsubuga, GM Maurice Ashley (commentator), FM Ronald Simpson, IM…
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