Drum Majors
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Touching Article on R.O. Mitchell
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…
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Chess Wife Becky Covington redefines ‘Help Mate’
Charles Covington with his “helpmate” Becky Covington in 2006. Oftentimes one can look at a successful person and believe that their success is due to sheer initiative and self-determination. While there is some truth to this, a supporting cast is often needed to invoke confidence, motivation and moral support. Charles…
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Who will be the next Black Grandmaster?
Looking across the chess landscape of Black players, there are many who may have the desire to become Grandmasters… the most coveted title in chess. Several players of African descent have expressed an interest in earning the coveted title. The purpose of this essay is to examine some of the…
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How Bright will Black Stars Shine?
Jacob Wamala is one of the brightest scholastic stars on the horizon. He is the high school co-champion of Massachusetts and has a sister Jessica Wamala who will represent the state at the Polgar tournament for the second year in a row. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. Looking at the history…
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History of Afro-Brazilian Chess
While in Brazil last March, I often scanned the landscape for any sign of chess activity. Of course, chess is played widely in Brazil and the populous country produces some of the strongest players in Latin America. However, when I asked a lecturer about this history of chess among Afro-Brazilians,…
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Historic Moments: James McCune Smith: Essay on CHESS
There are many heroes in Black history, but many have been long forgotten or at least unappreciated. Chess in the times of the Civil War took on a particular significance as it was often perceived as symbol of refinement and erudition. James McCune Smith was such a man of erudition.…
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The Caged Bird: The Story of T.A. Thompson
Theophilus Thompson There are many mysteries in chess history, blank spots that have remained unfilled. One of the largest is the life of Theophilus Augustus Thompson, the talented American problemist of African decent. Jeremy Gaige’s Chess Personalia, the leading source of biographical data on chessists, only provides a single entry…
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Historic Moments: A Conversation with Walter Harris
Every now and then I would gaze at the sliver of paper on my desk and see the name “Walter Harris” with a telephone number. It had been given to me by Charles Covington who keeps in contact with him. He thought it may be a good idea for me…
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Hurricane Katrina: A Black Chess Player’s Story
Hurricane Katrina: A Black Chess Player’s Story by Glenn Bady Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore New Orleans producing 110 + Kt winds, flooding 15-20 feet above normal. August 30, 2005 levees “broke” in New Orleans and water pours in covering 80% city and raising 20 feet in some areas. Fortunately, during…
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