Drum Majors
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Carlsson blitzes field in two tourneys!
Grandmaster Pontus Carlsson took his blitz skills to Czech Republic and Slovakia and won both events by prodigious scores. Not originally known as a “blitz specialist,” the Swedish national has competed at the highest levels at the World Rapid and Blitz. In 2018, he scored 8/15 (rapid) and 10.5/21 (blitz)…
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IM Nestor Velez passes away
IM Nestor Tomas Velez BetancourtMay 5th, 1956 – June 28, 2022 It is with regret that The Chess Drum announces the passing of Cuban International Master Nestor Velez. According to social media sources, he passed away this afternoon. Correspondence International Master MI José Guillermo De La Rosa Solórzano sent the…
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Maurice Ashley honored by Brownsville!
Grandmaster Maurice Ashley was one of the esteemed honorees that also included championship boxer Mike Tyson, actress Bern Nadette Stanis (Thelma of “Good Times”) and legendary football player Otis Wilson (Chicago Bears). Christian Whitted posted on social media platforms an event honoring the sons and daughters of the Brownsville Brooklyn…
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Jamaica’s Christie wins Heroes Cup 2022!
Barbados Chess Federation, “Jamaican Christie takes spot in Heroes Day Cup, Wilson wins Challengers section,” barbadoschess.org, 29 April 2022. Leading local chess players Orlando Husbands and Justin Blackman missed out on top honours as Jamaican Joshua Christie captured the Masters section in the Barbados Chess Federation’s Heroes Day Cup. FM…
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Brewington Hardaway wins K8!
Top-seed Brewington Hardaway won the K8 National Championship on tiebreaks over four co-champions. All ended with 6/7. Now 13, Brewington has continued to improve and adds the K8 title to the 7th grade title he won at the K12 Championships in December. He also got 9/9 in the XXXI Pan…
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First IM norm for Tani Adewumi!
FIDE Master Tani Adewumi is growing up right before our eyes. He recently notched the first of three required “norms” for the title of International Master. It was only three years ago that the story broke of an 8-year-old winning the New York Scholastic State Title. A New York Times…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 28: IM Emory Tate
International Master Emory TatePhoto by Daaim Shabazz Before his passing in 2015, International Master Emory Tate was one of the most recognizable figures in the American chess scene. In this last tribute for Black History Month, we will feature the man, the myth, the legend. The legacy continues. With a…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 27: Kenneth Clayton
Kenneth Clayton is a trailblazer for many reasons. A distinguished man with a presence that commanded respect, he was one of the earliest pioneers of Black chess… more specifically African-American chess. He won the 1963 U.S. Amateur Championship in thrilling fashion and would precede Frank Street who won the tournament…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 26: IM Michael Schleifer
Playing on both sides of the border, Michael Schleifer was the top junior in Canada and rose through the ranks to compete in the Canadian Closed. Schleifer, known as “Schlee” to his friends, starred in the New York Open as a young master. He earned his FM title in 1997…
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