Dr. Daaim Shabazz and International Master Amon Simutowe relaxing in Kingston, Jamaica. The six-day excursion is the subject of a photo essay recounting the activities day-by-day.

Jamaica recently hosted IM Amon Simutowe and me during the Harold Chan Open. The trip has been described in a photo essay which I hope you will enjoy. It is my hope that those of you reading it will feel a semblance of what we felt during the six-day interaction with the Jamaica chess community. Jamaicans have a vibrant spirit, love chess and appeared happy to have us as guests.

Hopefully this will be the beginning of future efforts to build transcontinental linkages within the African Disapora. As history finds a link between people throughout the Diaspora, so will chess play an instrumental role in bridging the gap that has existed for 500 years.  The response has been overwhelming and hopefully the feelings flowing from the essay will provide you with an idea of how important such an event is to the greater chess community.

Dr. Daaim Shabazz, The Chess Drum

Posted by The Chess Drum: 3 August 2004