Scholastic
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The Chess Drum
Where are they now? Jessica Wamala
Jessica Wamala Hometown: Milford, New Hampshire Education: B.A. Villanova University (2013), M.A. Villanova (2014), MPhil Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford (2016) Peak Chess Rating: 1790 (USCF) Chess Accolades: Massachusetts Junior High co-champ, U.S. Open “C” champion Activities: Phi Beta Kappa (honor society), Rhodes Scholar, Villanova varsity women’s basketball, Delta…
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The Chess Drum
Where are they now? Dr. Shearwood McClelland III
Dr. Shearwood McClelland III Hometown: Teaneck, New Jersey Education: B.A. Harvard College (2000), M.D. Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons (2004) Peak Chess Rating: 2311 (USCF), 2210 (FIDE) Chess Accolades: National Master (1994), All-American, 3-time National H.S. Champion, U.S. Junior Open Champion (1997), 2-time New Jersey State Champion, 12 state…
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The Chess Drum
Former African-American standouts reap benefits of chess
Chess has been said to have many qualities. Often misunderstood as a game only for the high-browed intelligentsia, it has many redeeming qualities that attract adherents of all demographics. Chess has been the subject of many studies and is often called a sport, game, and even science. It is undeniable…
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The Chess Drum
Nigerian schoolboy Tani Adewumi making waves in New York
Tanitoluwa Adewumi Photo by Nicholas Kristof Nigeria has long been one of Africa’s most heralded chess countries with an ambitious goal of producing the next generation of chess masters. Having already produced a number of International Masters, the country has recently launched a fundraising campaign to produce the first Grandmaster…
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Media Stories
Josh Colas launches GM campaign!
FM Josh ColasSixteen-year-old Joshua Colas has been playing chess for nearly ten years and has been able to accomplish many titles along the way. According to his personal website, Josh has won six national championships and has been named to the All-American Scholastic Chess Team every year since 2009. He…
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Drum Majors
Williams gets 2nd IM norm
FM Justus WilliamsLast year, Justus Williams earned his first FIDE title after losing out on tiebreaks to FM Akshat Chandra at the North American Youth Chess Championship (NAYCC). Williams earned the FM title and returned this to the NAYCC year with the intent of completing his goal of earning the…
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Canada
1st IM Norm for Justus!
Justus Williams (right) faced Josh Colas in round six. That game would go four hours and Williams would prevail. Photo by John Upper. Justus Williams may be the most disappointed person ever to earn an IM norm and FM title. The 15-year old scholastic star competed in the North American…
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Tournaments
Justus prevails at U.S. Cadet!
Justus Williams has come a long from being the soft-spoken boy with the long dreadlock mane. The last five years have been a whirlwind for the 15-year old from the Bronx, New York. He is now a slender, clean-cut, bespectacled high school sophomore at Bronx School of Science and Technology…
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Scholastic
Chess at Chicago’s Dumas Tech
Chicago has a long history of chess. The famed Palmer House was once a hub for major tournaments in the U.S., but over the decades has lost its luster due to a number of factors. Chicago Public Schools also has a history of producing strong scholastic players, but activities are…
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Drum Majors
Record falls… Colas makes Master!
Joshua Colas is no longer “JoshuKid”, his ICC moniker. He has grown up in chess. Last night at the Marshall Chess Club, he eclipsed the 2200 rating barrier after beating National Master Leonardo Martinez (2256). In doing so, he breaks the age record for youngest African-American, or generally speaking, Black…
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