The HB Global Chess Challenge, hosted by GM Maurice Ashley, is drawing players from all corners of the globe. Eighteen of the top 20 U.S. players will be in the field including U.S. Champion, GM Hikaru Nakamura. Asia will be led by Indonesian GM Utut Adianto and World Junior Champion Pentala Harikrishna of India. Harikrishna, who recently placed joint 1st in the Bermuda Open, will make his U.S. debut as many players will get a rare look at India's brightest young  talent.

In addition many smaller chess nations will send contingents. FM Dr. Philip Corbin will bring his swashbuckling style to Minneapolis and Jamaican Chess President Ian Wilkinson will be toting copies of his popular book on the Olympiad.  Representing Africa will be International master Amon Simutowe from Zambia, a student at the University of Texas-Dallas. He will be coming with a contingent of players from the university.

Steven and Moses  Kawuma compete in the 2004 Olympiad in Mallorca, Spain.

Perhaps an inspiring story would be the two brothers from Uganda, Moses and Steven Kawuma (pictured above right). Moses is the current Ugandan champion and Steven won the Kenya Open last weekend. The Kawuma brothers follow the trail of former national champion Grace Nsubuga who played in the historic Wilbert Paige tournament as well as the U.S. Open in Boston.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 3 May 2005