North America
-
Aspiring chess master Janell Warner ready to shine
Janell Warner posted pictures on social media about her graduation from Brandeis University and stated, “so happy to be surrounded by so much love and support.” Certainly, family and friends were on hand to celebrate the event, but the chess community can also celebrate. This is yet another example of…
Read More » -
Jeffery Xiong nets another Chicago title!
Jeffrey Xiong won his second Chicago Open title after his 2015 breakthrough. At the 2022 Chicago Open, he finished on 7/9 along with three others but won the tiebreak battle. Xiong has made steady progress since then and had previously made the national team. With the addition of Levon Aronian…
Read More » -
Michael Abron releases book on Chess Journey
For the past couple of years Michael Abron has been working on his memoirs to tell his story of playing in a tournament in all 50 U.S. states. in March released The Chess Traveler and Pioneer. Abron was featured on The Chess Drum after completing the journey. He finished at…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
Jerald Times scores victory in legal chess battle
National Master Jerald Times told The Chess Drum a month ago about a troubling saga involving his tenure at the Success Academy Charter Schools (SACS). Serving as the Chess Program Director he alleged that the organization held discriminatory practices within the organization. He then filed a discriminatory complaint against SACS.…
Read More » -
The Steven Rollins Chess Rule
In most team competitions, teammates don’t play each other, but retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant Steven Rollins thought of a novel way that allows teammates to play each other without adversely affecting the team score. In 2014, his “Rollins Military System” was included as Rule 31A1 in the U.S.…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
Black History Month 2022-Day 24: Frank Street
Frank Street became a National Master in June 1965 and in the same year, graced the cover of Chess life magazine. As a 20-year old Street had just won the U.S. Amateur Championship and would go on to win the club champion of the Washington Chess Divan, defeating fellow master,…
Read More »
