The Chess Drum
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Chess and Hip-Hop Culture
GZA of Wu Tang Clan Chess has been perceived as the game of the “nerds,” the term for a person characterized as a socially-detached genius. Of course, chess suffers from this image problem in that much of the international community writes chess off as an esoteric game that they could…
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The Making of The Chess Drum
From time to time, I’m asked a number of questions about the website, The Chess Drum. The site has developed over the past year and players who I meet at tournaments want to know the hows and the whys, so to speak. Well… there’s a short answer and a long…
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What does the future hold for Black Chess?
Leroy Muhammad during a brief comeback in 1978. Muhammad, born Leroy Jackson, was a scholastic star in the 60s and the third Black player to achieve National Master title. Photo by Bill Merrell. When one looks at the current state of affairs of chess among people of the African diaspora,…
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IM Oladapo Adu rampages through Maryland with trifecta win!
IM Oladapo Adu IM Oladapo Adu (pictured right) took on all comers in a set of Maryland tournaments during Labor Day weekend. First was the Maryland Quick Chess Championship (15 minutes per player). Some of the top players in the field were IM Lawrence Kaufman, FM Enhbat Tegshsuren (Mongolia), FM…
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Philadelphia’s Akeem Gregory-Thompson
The Twin Dynamos Akeem Gregory-ThompsonPhoto by Daaim Shabazz Bruce Thompson Sr., beams with pride when speaking of his chess playing sons, Bruce Jr. and Akeem. Akeem was persistent in his request to learn the game that had captured his imagination. Bruce Sr. states, “Akeem used to ask me occasionally, to…
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The Benefits of Scholastic Chess
The Carver H.S. chess team, 1981. Pictured above is a picture taken from The Chicago Defender (April 14, 1981). The photo accompanied a story titled, “Checkmate with Soul” about the chess team at Carver High School, a public school powerhouse of the late-70s to mid-80s. Melvin Alsberry (seated left) was…
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Reflections on the Wilbert Paige Memorial
The 2nd Harlem Renaissance!!All photos Daaim Shabazz (The Chess Drum) On the 13 July 2001, 10 players of African descent traveled to historic Harlem to help fulfill a dream for many. The Wilbert Paige Memorial tournament, which had been conceived months earlier by Dr. Jones Murphy Jr. and put together…
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Wilbert Paige Memorial: Round #9
Wilbert Paige Memorial(14-23rd of July 2001, Harlem NY, Hotel Theresa) Round #9 Tuesday, 23 July 2001) Pre-game analysis: The heat is on for two players in the penultimate round of the Wilbert Paige Memorial tournament! Both FM William “The Exterminator” Morrison and NM Norman “Pete” Rogers will have to come…
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Wilbert Paige Memorial: Round #8
Wilbert Paige Memorial(14-23rd of July 2001, Harlem NY, Hotel Theresa) Round #8 (Monday, 22 July 2001) Exchanging and getting autographs… classic moment!Bob Ali getting autograph from Amon Simutowe Wilbert Paige Memorial players and commentators. Seated (L-R) IM Amon Simutowe, NM Grace Nsubuga, GM Maurice Ashley (commentator), FM Ronald Simpson, IM…
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Wilbert Paige Memorial: Round #3
Wilbert Paige Memorial (14-23rd of July 2001, Harlem NY, Hotel Theresa)Round #3 (Monday, 16 July 2001) Pre-game analysis: Simpson-Colding features an old “Black Bear” matchup which should produce some fireworks. Both players are tactical and know each other style’s very well. Look for an exciting battle. Kobese-Simutowe features the “old”…
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