Drum Majors
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The Challenges of Black Chess Masters
Sweden’s GM Pontus Carlsson at 2008 European Championship. Photo from eicc2008.com.From time to time there is a question raised about the presence of Black players in the chess world. Players in this demographic can be seen at tournaments around the world and are seemingly enthusiastic about competition. However, those who…
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Ashley’s “Pawn Mower” Puzzle Debuts!
Grandmaster Maurice Ashley is known for many things in chess, but he continues to add on superlatives in his 30-year career. Lately he has used his patent of “pawn mower” a concept derived from an exercise he featured in his CD “Maurice Ashley Teaches Chess.” This concept has now made…
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1st Arbiter’s Seminar on the Net
Boyd Reed at 2010 World Open. Photo by Daaim Shabazz In yet another example of the Internet’s influence on chess, FIDE held its first Arbiter’s Seminar online. The seminar was hosted by FIDE’s Arbiter’s Commision in conjunction with the North American Chess Association. Nine persons from US and Canada passed…
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Black Stars shine at 2010 World Open
While the Black Stars of Ghana were unable to convert penalty kicks to beat Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup, 15 hours away another group of Black stars would square off against competition from around the world. The World Open is a venue where people from every demographic group come…
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Farai Mandizha: International Master
Farai Mandizha is a long way from his home in Zimbabwe, but over the past few years has made a presence in the U.S. chess scene. Over this time he has made an impression in his New York base and has now achieved the difficult task of earning the International…
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Mandizha earns IM Norm at NY Int’l!
Farai Mandizha has been on the U.S. tournament circuit a few years and has developed a reputation on the east coast. The New York-based player from Zimbabwe is perhaps known for his acute skills in blitz, but he has been putting together some solid results in major tournaments. Having a…
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Drum Majors at Philly Open
GM Amon Simutowe at 2010 Philadelphia Open. Photo by Chris Bird. Chess Grandmaster Amon Simutowe has been flying under the radar since enrolling at University of Texas-Dallas for a second tour. He is completing his Master’s degree and was spotted in Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Open. The Zambian Grandmaster scored…
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Ashley to commentate at 2010 U.S. Championship
SAINT LOUIS– Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, the first African-American GM in the history of chess, will provide expert analysis and commentary at the 2010 U.S. Chess Championship, set for the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis May 13-25. Ashley was featured on ESPN in 1996 when he provided commentary…
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The ‘Matrix Man’ still at it!
Bernard Parham, I Photo by Daaim Shabazz. Bernard Parham has a claim to fame. No it is not as the 1967 Indiana State Champion, or even as a long-time chess educator. He is famous for something else… “The Matrix System of Chess.” This system was created decades ago when Parham…
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Carlsson battling in Euro Championships!
GM Pontus Carlsson (Sweden) Pontus Carlsson of Sweden is currently competing in the European Individual Championship being held in Croatia. The tournament is extremely strong despite not featuring any of the top 20 players in the world. Carlsson sits in the #204 position in a field of 408 participants. Carlsson…
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