Opinion/Editorials
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Peace Flags… Kenya
Alex Makatia and Issac Babu Odiah (both of Kenya) at 2004 Chess Olympiad (Mallorca, Spain). Photo by Daaim Shabazz. As you all know, the country of Kenya is gripped in a tragic crisis. While not going into specific details, the nation is literally being torn asunder. Kenya, one of Africa’s…
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China Rising!
China (left) vs. regional rival India. Bu Xiangzhi battles Viswanathan Anand on Board One at the 2006 Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. A contingent of Chinese are competing at the Gibtelecom Chess Festival and after eight rounds, they dominate the upper portion of the standings. It…
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The Socio-Politics of the First Move in Chess
Dear Reader, I just penned an article that may pique your interest. It examines the “first mover advantage” in chess. I have had many online debates (mostly notably on The Daily Dirt) about this issue and most of the arguments point to white’s plus score in games played in the…
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Questions about Botswana Chess
Top African chess journalist Kenneth Boikhutswane wrote a very interesting article which points to many of the problems concerning African chess. The story raised the question of why Botswana, one of Africa’s most economically stable countries, was not sending a contingent to the 2007 African Junior Championship held in Malawi last…
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What’s next in Black Chess?
The year 2007 had some interesting developments both in general and within the African Diaspora. The World Cup brought us the first non-European champion since Robert James Fischer and saw Viswanathan Anand rise to the top of the rating charts. There was the exciting knockout tournament featuring the resurgence of Gata…
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RZA wins HHCF’s Kings Invitational!
RZA holds up the HHCF championship belt after sweeping the tournament 4-0. Hip-hop legend “Popmaster Fabel” presents the belt while Adisa Banjoko (co-founder of HHCF), IM Josh Waitzkin and Rakaa Iriescience applaud. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. The 1st Kings Invitational was a magnificent event. Adisa has come a long way…
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African Chess in Newsweek
The Closet Grandmaster blog sent me a note that there was an article on African Chess in Newsweek. In this article, they focus on Zambia’s Amon Simutowe and discusses the challenges and what needs to be done to promote chess on the continent. Scott Johnson actually contacted me for an interview,…
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Tom Murphy: King of Dupont Circle
Tom Murphy in his office at the famous Dupont Circle. Photo washingtonpost.com Vaughn Bennett just sent me a link to an article from the Washington Post on Tom Murphy, a DC-based legendary chess hustler. Those who have been to Dupont Circle in Washington, DC have no doubt heard his name…
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Changing of the Guard
Ever since Garry Kasparov retired (and even prior to), there has been a slow changing of the guard in chess. The powerful Soviet School of Chess still reigned after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, the advent of computers, the migration of Russian players and simply the passage of…
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The Importance of Chess Literacy
We often talk about the importance of literacy in society. It is even a contentious issue in some countries… the right to learn to read. Obviously, it is essential to learn the rudiments of writing, reading and speaking. A person respected is one with measured words and a strong pen.…
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