The Chess Drum

  • Frank Johnson & Hyperluxe.gg eSports Initiative

    Frank “ChessCoach” JohnsonPhoto by Hyperluxe Hyperluxe is partnering with chess celebrity Frank “ChessCoach” Johnson to provide critical guidance in chess culture and tournament organizing. JACKSON, MS, USA, February 10, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Hyperluxe Gaming which delivers tournament-style Esports is now turning its attention to the world of chess. Competitive chess…

    Read More »
  • Black History Month 2022-Day 10: The Moors of Spain

    One powerful piece of African history is often forgotten or ignored and it has a tremendous relationship to chess. It is known that the Moors brought the Persian variant “Shatranj” into Spain after the incursion of Tariq ibn-Ziyad. Tariq commanded his 7,000 soldiers across the strait into al-Andalus (modern-day Spain)…

    Read More »
  • Black History Month 2022-Day 9: Robert Gwaze’s Gold!

    At this year’s 2022 Chess Olympiad in Moscow, Russia, we will commemorate the 20th year of Zimbabwean IM Robert Gwaze winning the gold medal for his 9/9 performance. This feat took place in the fall of 2002 in Bled, Slovenia, and sent triumphant tremors throughout the continent and the African…

    Read More »
  • Black History Month 2022-Day 7: Philly’s Roberts Vaux Jr. High

    Scholastic chess has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. With Supernationals drawing over 5500+ players from across the country, times have never been better to start playing chess. When Supernationals VI set a record for 5577 players, it demonstrated how far scholastic chess has grown. There…

    Read More »
  • Black History Month 2022-Day 6: Theophilus Thompson

    Theophilus Thompson as one of the most intriguing figures in the modern American chess era. Born April 21st, 1855, he worked as a 14-year old domestic servant. According to the 1870 U.S. Census, he was living in the home of William Higgins, a County Constable. Two years later, he returned…

    Read More »
  • Black History Month 2022-Day 4: Baraka Shabazz

    Baraka Shabazz’s demure pose is a testament to her confidence and poise. This photo was featured in Chicago Metro News, December 4, 1982 as part of Tony Brown Journal segment. When she burst onto the scene in the early 80s, Baraka Shabazz (pronounced sha-boz) was a curious girl who learned…

    Read More »
  • Black History Month 2022-Day 3: Leroy Muhammad

    St. Louis is known as a center of chess activity today with its Chess Center and Scholastic Center and as the host of the World Chess Hall of Fame. It is also a magnet for attracting international chess talent to several universities in the area. However, St. Louis had a…

    Read More »
  • Black History Month 2022-Day 2: Rogelio Ortega

    Cuba has long been a country of great courage and pride. It has a proud tradition of chess in the memory of José Raúl Capablanca and has produced a number of strong players. Unbeknownst to many, there has been a strong cadre of Cuban players of African ancestry and we…

    Read More »
  • Seattle builds Detective Cookie Chess Park!

    Despite her own ambivalence toward chess as a youth,Officer Cookie has shared its joys.Photo by Genna Martin After decades of service, Denise “Cookie” Bouldin is having “Detective Cookie Chess Park” built in her honor. Detective Cookie been featured on The Chess Drum over the years with her Urban Youth Chess…

    Read More »
  • The Chess Drum’s Highlights of 2021!

    This year was the 20th year for The Chess Drum. On February 12th, I posted a very lengthy chronicle of the site’s history with key moments each of the 20 years. I put a lot of effort into that post, but it was fulfilling to recount the special moments, not…

    Read More »
Back to top button