Daaim Shabazz
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Opinion/Editorials
Is Chess a “Life Game”?
The African-American Chess Association (Facebook) recently posted a podcast conversation of hip-hop artists discussing chess. Chess and hip-hop have a long history and are heard in many classic songs. Young Guru (Gimel Keaton) weighed in on whether chess is a metaphor for life or if it is a strategy game.…
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Uncategorized
Joseph Methu wins Kenyan Chess Championship… and car!
Joseph Methu won the 2023 Kenya National Chess Championship, and with it, drove away with a new car (worth 1.3 million KSh). This is the fourth year that a car has been the grand prize. Mehul Gohil has won two (2019, 2022) and Martin Njoroge (2021). The tournament occurred at…
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The Chess Drum
The Chess Drum’s Highlights of 2023
Our chess highlights of 2023 will show how controversy served as the mainstay of headlines. We even saw a player busted for impersonating a woman! The Carlsen-Niemann controversy was still bubbling as the chess community saw a dismissal on one count of the $100 million lawsuit in June. FIDE finally…
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Mauritania
Wafa, Djeroud win African Juniors 2023!
Over a week ago, Africa crowned its Junior champions, with Hamed Wafa (Egypt) and Chahrazed Djeroud (Algeria) earning the continental titles. Thirteen federations sent representatives to Nouakchott, Mauritania, to vie for a place in chess history. Egypt and Algeria have dominated the proceedings in previous years, but several players from…
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Opinion/Editorials
Has cheating (accusations) in chess gone too far?
Cheating has remained in the chess headlines since the Carlsen-Niemann controversy in September 2022. In the past two years, chess has continued to grab international headlines. This is not because of the new World Champion, Ding Liren, or all the rising young players gracing the scene. It is not because…
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Nigeria
11-year-old Deborah Quickpen, Nigerian Chess sensation
Deborah Ebimobo-ere Quickpen, Nigerian Women’s National ChampionPhoto by Botswana Chess Federation Nigeria’s Deborah Quickpen recently earned acclaim after winning the women’s title with 9.5/11. At the time of her victory, she had toppled a record that had stood for 20 years and set the stage for a bright future. There…
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Tournaments
UAE to host 2028 Chess Olympiad
FIDE General Assembly determined that the 2028 Chess Olympiad will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Some 42 years after UAE hosted arguably the best Olympiad in history in 1986, the country seeks to host the world’s most important chess event. This event includes all member federations, and concurrent sessions…
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Drum Majors
FM Jimmy Canty on Chessable!
FM Jimmy Canty III has become one of the most popular and visible online chess personalities. His rise to stardom in the streaming world comes amidst giants such as Hikaru Nakamura, Levy Rozman, and the Botez (Alexandra & Andrea) sisters. This led to high-profile commentary gigs and now the 31-year-old…
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Drum Majors
Hardaway gets 1st GM norm, clinches IM title
Brewington Hardway earned his first Grandmaster norm at the U.S. Masters in Charlotte. The 14-year-old had a blistering month of November earning more than 100 Elo points. Prior to his norm performance, he earned 50 Elo points at the nine-round NYC GM Fall Invitational. He bettered that result with another…
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Media Stories
Odafe Efemuai… from Delta State to New York State
Odafe Benedict Efemuai is a long way from the Delta State region of Nigeria. The 2016 Nigerian champion has found a new home in New York where he is a chess educator. Odafe’s hometown gained the attention of major corporations after oil discovery in the 70s, and was in the…
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