The recently-posted Black History Chess Quiz attracted some interesting participants. Players from around the globe decided to take a hand at the series of questions. Mark Bowen of Jamaica got 11/12 missing only the first question! There were many great efforts including Nigerian Olympian and National Master Bunmi Olape who scored 9/12. Michael Farris of Atlanta, Georgia scored 8/12 and expressed that the experience was enjoyable and educational.

Despite all the efforts, only 11-year old
Paaras Modi of Chicago, Illinois was able to score the required 100% tally. Modi found out about the quiz from a posting on Chess in Chicago's forum by Lamarr Wilson. Wilson, who serves as creator of "ChessinChicago.org,  remarked at how determined Modi was to find the answers. Wilson had found out about the quiz from 12-year old star, Kayin Barclay who also gave it a try.

The 11-year old told The Chess Drum's
Daaim Shabazz that he spent two days researching the answers (using Google and The Chess Drum). Modi, the son of East Indian immigrants, has been playing chess for a little more than a year (USCF rating 1364) and attends Eugen Field Elementary School. The toughest question was the last… the one concerning Canadian IM Michael Schleifer because initially he didn't realize the Canadian Closed was the same as the National Championship. For his efforts, the bright 6th grader will receive an authentic Chess Drum T-shirt and a Wilbert Paige Memorial booklet.

Congratulations to Paaras Modi!!

Posted by The Chess Drum: 19 February 2004