Grandmaster Maurice Ashley has been busy lately despite taking a break from commentating. On the cover of the latest Chess Life magazine, Ashley strikes a menacing pose while clasping the black king, his right hand ever ready for defense or attack. This pose symbolizes everything that chess is. It is indeed a sport, science, and … The post Maurice Ashley speaks on new books! appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

Participants at the 2023 HBCU Chess ClassicPhoto by TBO Chess Society All roads will lead to Atlanta for the 2nd Annual HBCU Chess Classic! Teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities will send their best players to compete for prizes 2024 HBCU Chess Classic April 20th-21st, 2024Georgia Institute of Technology —Exhibition Hall460 4th St NWAtlanta, … The post 2024 HBCU Chess Classic (Atlanta, GA) appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

Florida’s Capital City is warming up, and chess is in full bloom. Over the past two years, Jacob Sperber has organized five rapid tournaments in the Tallahassee area. His initiative has rejuvenated chess in Florida’s capital and has provided some consistency. The most recent event was held at the Benjamin L. Perry Public Library on … The post Capital City Open V (Tallahassee, Florida) appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

GM Bassem Amin and WIM Jesse February took the titles at the 2024 African Individual Chess Championship (AICC). It would be Amin’s seventh (2009, 2013, 2015 and 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024) and February’s second (winning in 2021). While Amin was dominant throughout the tournament, February had to wait until the last round when the result would be final. Photo … The post Amin, February win 2024 African Individuals! appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

Jacorey Bynum broke the 2200 barrier last weekend at the Southern Chess Classic, earning the coveted title of National Master! It is a testament to the values of chess education. Jacorey BynumPhoto from jbking07 (chess.com) Jacorey learned to play chess in August 2017 as a positive outlet during a difficult period in life. He started … The post Jacorey Bynum makes National Master! appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

The 1st CARICOM Chess Classic took place in Georgetown, Guyana, a nation with a rich chess tradition. Guyana was previously a regional powerhouse with a number of strong masters. More recently, the federation has rejuvenated and has launched an initiative that will bring shades of the old Caribbean Chess Championships from decades ago. #CARICOM DSG … The post Trinidad & Tobago takes 1st CARICOM Chess Classic! appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

Brewington Hardaway is coming off of his second GM norm in the New York Invitational. The 14-year old International Master continues to make rapid progress toward the coveted GM title. An interesting discussion took place at the Marshall Chess Club on February 20th, 2024, for Black History Month. Hardaway aptly corrected the moderator to include … The post With two GM norms, Hardaway charts course appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

The recently concluded All-African Games were held in Ghana’s capital, Accra, and chess was one of the events. The last event was held in 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. The Chess Drum has covered previous editions of the All-African Games, and this event attracted 18 countries. Top African players, including Grandmasters Bassem Amin (EGY) and Bilel … The post 13th All-African Games (Accra, Ghana) appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

Jayvon Davis won the under-1600 section of the Delaware State Open last weekend allowing him to use his winning method as teaching material. Davis runs a website called “Chess Express” targeting younger age groups. Based in Delaware, his success will undoubtedly make his students proud and give more credence to how chess can inspire. Davis … The post “Jayvon Davis Express” wins in Delaware! appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more

Tani Adewumi earned his fourth IM norm at the Southwest Open in Irving, Texas (outside of Dallas) last weekend. It was his first in an open tournament. Due to rule changes each player is required to have at least one of their GM/IM title norms earned in an open tournament. This reduces the chance of … The post Tani Adewumi gets required IM norm! appeared first on The Chess Drum ..read more