The Chess Drum
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Black Women in American Chess
When abolitionist Sojourner Truth stated, “Ain’t I a Woman,” some regard that as the most definitive statement for affirming the pride and dignity that women have always possessed. From the womb of the Black woman has sprouted an entire civilization and the intrigue with which others hold her is testament…
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Historic Moments: Ten of the Best Chess Games played by Black Masters (2003)
Hello everyone! This article was presented on The Chess Drum in September 2003 and highlighted some memorable games by chess masters in the African Diaspora. Many of these were featured in “Fire on Board” and “Chess Crackers” segments, both discontinued in 2010. Now we are in the year 2020 and…
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The Challenge of Online Chess Journalism
The World Wide Web has created a number of possibilities in the way content is delivered to computer users. On the Web, we are able to manipulate text, images, video and audio which opens a number of possibilities in how we receive and send information. The chess world has been…
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Can You Keep the Beat Going?
Over the past two years, The Chess Drum has been able to present a variety of information highlighting the accomplishments of players in the African Diaspora. It has been a privilege for me to see the vehicle grow and to have become a fixture in the chess community. As the…
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The End of the Draw Offer?
The End of the Draw Offer? by GM Maurice Ashley To all chess fans:Recently I have been thinking about a practice in chess that I believe needs to be discussed by all of us who love the game, and that is, the draw offer. This topic started to occupy my…
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Jamaica @ Chess Olympiad (Bled, Slovenia)
The 35th Chess Olympiad in Bled, Slovenia through a Jamaican Microscope: A Fantastic Sojourn by Ian Wilkinson (Kingston, Jamaica, WEST INDIES) “A tower of nine stories begins with a heap of earth. The journey of a thousand li starts from where one stands.” – Tao-te Ching (Chapter 64 by Lao…
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The Mind of a Grandmaster
In the chess world, GMs are considered the elite thinkers. Perhaps it is safe to say that a GM is superior in the handling of one or more key areas of the game which most times leads to finding the clearest path to victory. In his popular book, Road to…
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Historic Moments: The Wilbert Paige Memorial Chess Tournament
The Wilbert Paige Memorial Chess Tournament was a historic event that gained worldwide attention as ten masters of African descent gathered for the first tournament of its kind. Played in historic Harlem, the tournament was named in honor of NM Wilbert Paige, a Philadelphia Master possessing a deep passion for…
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Chess and the Art of Business Strategy
Chess is a fascinating ancient war sport (also an art and science) combining the excitement of tactics with the intricacies of long-range strategy. Those strategists able to distinguish the subtle transitions between the different phases of battle (opening, middlegame and endgame) will certainly maintain a tangible advantage over the opponent.…
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A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE: A Brief History of Black Chess Masters in America (1998)
Reproduced at The Chess Drum with written permission from Mr. Gregory Kearse This article appeared in Chess Life, July 1998 edition eputations are not easy to come by in chess. Only a history of excellence and success over the board will propel a player into the limelight, push him into…
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