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Black History Month 2022-Day 21: Alfred Blake Carlin
Alfred Blake Carlin was larger than life figure in New Orleans chess. Carlin’s large physical size matched his personality and he was a well-respected chess player and coach. He was one of the few Black masters (Senior Master) in the south and was a five-time Louisiana state champion (1981, 1983,…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 19: James McCune Smith
Dr. James McCune Smith is a man we don’t hear of during Black History Month. This multitalented and multifaceted man was known more in the areas of literary scholarship, medicine, and social activism than in chess. If you knew this man, chances are that you are a 19th-century American history…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 17: Walter Harris
Born September 28th, 1941, Walter Harris is known as the first Black chess player to earn the U.S. Chess Federation National Master title. There are a number of articles about Harris on The Chess Drum, twice as an interview subject {2006 (phone), 2014 (in-person)}. Walter Harris in action against Bill…
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Chess in 2022 heating up the Sunshine State!
Wyndham Orlando Resort (International Drive) From March 13th-15th, Florida “the sunshine state” will be hosting its statewide scholastic tournament with nine sections. The entry fee for scholastic players is a nominal $40 by February 25th. There is no onsite entry so make your plans ahead of time! Check floridachess.org for…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 15: Ashley & Muhammad
In 2003, Maurice Ashley and Stephen Muhammad joined the roster of participants of the prestigious U.S. Chess Championship, the hallmark of American tournaments. It is a chance for glory and to be included in the annals of history along with the list of luminaries whose plaques now adorn the World…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 12: The Chess Drum
This day marks 21 years for The Chess Drum and a continued effort to show the universality of chess. More specifically it is a platform to show the contributions of players of African descent. Why is there a need for this? Decades ago, chess media was very myopic in terms…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 11: Historic Games!
Back in 2003, I wrote an article titled, “Ten of the Best Games Played by Black Masters.” Included in that list were games such as Tate-Ashley, Tate-Yudasin and Giles-Browne, to name a few. While Paige-Formanek is shown again for prosperity, there have been some worthy additions. Following are five historic…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 8: FM Morris Giles
“I’ve never heard of him.” This is a statement I’ve heard many times when referring to FM Morris Giles. In covering Black players in the U.S. or “African-Americans” as we are commonly called, there are those who invoke vivid memories. Of course, we have heard of Maurice Ashley and Emory…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 7: Philly’s Roberts Vaux Jr. High
Scholastic chess has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. With Supernationals drawing over 5500+ players from across the country, times have never been better to start playing chess. When Supernationals VI set a record for 5577 players, it demonstrated how far scholastic chess has grown. There…
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Black History Month 2022-Day 6: Theophilus Thompson
Theophilus Thompson as one of the most intriguing figures in the modern American chess era. Born April 21st, 1855, he worked as a 14-year old domestic servant. According to the 1870 U.S. Census, he was living in the home of William Higgins, a County Constable. Two years later, he returned…
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