The Chess Drum

Archive for June, 2007

2007 World Open: First Impressions

Posted in Tournaments, USA, World Open on Jun 30th, 2007 No Comments »

World Championship Cycle… improvement?

Posted in Tournaments, World Championships on Jun 28th, 2007 2 Comments »

Has anyone figured out the new World Championship cycle? FIDE released a report of changes made essentially to accommodate former FIDE champion, Veselin Topalov. As you all know, Bulgaria’s Topalov played Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik in a match last year… and lost amidst the ‘toiletgate’ controversy. Here’s a Google of ‘toiletgate chess‘ if you need details. At […]

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Endgame Laboratory (Knight)

Posted in Endgame Lab on Jun 27th, 2007 6 Comments »

“It should be noted that current opening variations come and go, and the evaluation of certain positions change, but the value of knowing how to play endgames well remains constant.” ~ANATOLY KARPOV, Former World Champion~ It’s always a good idea to go over basic endings before a tournament. You can saving losing positions and win […]

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Computer Love… and Hate

Posted in Computers, Games on Jun 25th, 2007 No Comments »

Did someone drop pieces out of the bag onto the board? Just posted an absolute crazy game for “Game of the Week.” I know it’s old now, but what a brutal battle! It was a game between Deep Junior (Israel) and Deep Fritz (Germany) in the match between these two silicon beasts a couple of […]

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Michigan’s answer to violence: Hip Hop Chess?

Posted in Hip-Hop, Opinion/Editorials on Jun 25th, 2007 1 Comment »

Another version of “Hip Hop Chess”? After a spate of killings in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, the city is looking for ways to channel the energy of the youth during the summer months. Darlene King has devised an idea that she dubs “Hip Hop Chess.” Sound familiar? When I saw the video, I said […]

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Simutowe withdraws from All-Africa Games!

Posted in Africa, Drum Majors, Tournaments, Zambia on Jun 24th, 2007 12 Comments »

A recent article from the Zambian Daily Mail states that International Master Amon Simutowe has withdrawn his participation from the 2007 All-Africa Games due to disagreement on conditions with the Chess Federation of Zambia (CFZ). “I regret I will not participate in the All-Africa Games. I had requested my travel arrangements to be arranged by […]

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World Open at Valley Forge

Posted in Tournaments, USA, World Open on Jun 23rd, 2007 10 Comments »

Valley Forge Convention Center Venue for 2007 World Open The 35th Annual World Open will kick off on the 28th of July with great anticipation. It remains the marquee tournament in the U.S. attracting strong GMs from around the globe. The tournament also has a certain magic and usually unfurls a new star, has a foreign delegation, or […]

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Touching Article on R.O. Mitchell

Posted in Drum Majors, Opinion/Editorials on Jun 22nd, 2007 No Comments »

Two days before R.O. Mitchell’s memorial service ran a very touching article in the Memphis Daily Helmsman by Stephanie Morton. The article revealed a side of Mitchell the chess world would not know. Oftentimes as chess players, we do not get to know the real person behind the board. It is also true that even […]

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Hip-Hop Chess Federation releases theme track!

Posted in Hip-Hop, Videos on Jun 22nd, 2007 No Comments »

Adisa Banjoko, the co-founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) told me yesterday about tracks written with a chess theme. One of the tracks is an upbeat rap done by TKash and is dubbed as the anthem for the HHCF and it mission of exploring a fusion between chess and hip-hop. It’s tight! Banjoko has released others which is rotating […]

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Nakamura wins National Open!

Posted in Tournaments, USA, Videos on Jun 22nd, 2007 2 Comments »

GM Hikaru Nakamura emerged victorious after coming off of subpar showings at both Foxwoods Open and the U.S. Championship. It appeared as if he would stumble once again after being held in a wild battle with IM Enrico Sevilliano. Going into the last round against IM Renier Gonzalez, he needed a win and showed his […]

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2007 World Open (Valley Forge, USA)

Posted in Tournaments, USA, World Open on Jun 22nd, 2007 No Comments »

35th annual WORLD OPEN June 30-July 4, July 1-4, July 2-4 or June 28-July 4, 2007 Valley Forge Radisson & Convention Plaza, King of Prussia, PA$400,000 PROJECTED PRIZES, $280,000 MINIMUM!SPECIAL RULES HAVE BEEN REVISED- SEE BELOW A Heritage Event An American Classic An ACP Qualifier June 30-July 4, July 1-4, July 2-4, or June 28-July […]

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