Pontus Carlsson (left) just won his third GM Norm, (Right) America's first Black Master Walter Harris

by Daaim Shabazz

In the recently celebrated “Black History Month” many inventors, athletes, politicians, activists and educators were commemorated. However, mention of the importance of chess in Black history is too rare.

In the past 100 years of Black history, chess has had a spotty role as an accepted pastime. Draughts and other board games took center stage as chess was considered a game of elites. While Africa has produced some of the most talented draughts players in the world, chess has lagged in terms of interest and talent production. In America, one of the first Black chess players of note was 19th century writer and medical doctor, James Smith McCune. He wrote passionately in an 1859 essay aptly titled, “Chess.” In that essay he described in great detail the chess scene of the day including his description of Paul Morphy as a “mulattin.” In his elegant prose, this Frederick Douglass contemporary mentioned Louis Paulsen, Howard Staunton, and Daniel Harrwitz and even discussed current theory of the day such as the Evans, Scotch and Muzio Gambits. In concluding his essay, McCune wrote,

Chess-playing is an amusement worthy of cultivation, especially for the young. It is better in-door entertainment than cards, or dice, or lager-bier; it has been well said that it does not lead to gambling. In looking at Morphy and Paulsen, in 1857, we were struck with the evident purity of both these young men. Neither presented the bleared eyes, shaking hands, nor nervous tremor, which a four-hours sitting would betray in nine-tenths of our young men of the city; they were plainly in perfect physical condition, and all their faculties were clear and in full honest exercise. And so must the devotees of chess keep themselves, or they will inevitably lose rank as chess-players.


Theophilus Thompson

Succeeding McCune Smith was a Maryland native Theophilus Thompson who was an accomplished problemist and correspondence player. Born in 1855 and working as a domestic servant, Thompson was exceptionally talented. After his chess talent was discovered he was invited to various tournaments, but is perhaps known more for his book, Chess Problems: Either to Play or Mate. Other Black players around the world would take up the game, but Rogelio Ortega of Cuba had the honor of competing against the world in top-flight competition such as including Tal, Spassky, Smyslov, Geller, Portisch, Reshevsky, Najdorf, Rossolimo, Bronstein, and Horowitz. The 1966 Cuban champion had earlier made an impression in the 1959 U.S. Open in Omaha, Nebraska and scored 8½-2½.

A particularly sparkling example of Ortega's play follows.

Soto Lorrea-Rogelio Ortega, Havana 1952

Black to Move and Win
Scroll down for puzzle solutions

A young star was born at the same 1959 U.S. Open. Walter Harris, scored 7-5. He also participated in the 1959 U.S. Junior Open and became the first Black to earn the rank of National Master.

Peter Cleghorn-Walter Harris
1965 National Open (Las Vegas)


Black to Move

Bobby Fischer said that Harris "has some talent." Today Harris, a New York native, resides in Virginia. In a 2005 interview he fondly recalled Bobby Fischer's compliment. Harris states that Fischer was often misunderstood as a rising star on the U.S. chess scene. In the interview, he relayed an incident in which he was not allowed to get a room at a hotel because of the racial segregation law of the time. Harris could not remember if this incident occurred at the same hotel where the tournament was being held (Sheraton-Fontenelle Hotel), but in those days, Blacks were not allowed access to public facilities. The managers had pulled Anthony Saidy (now an IM) aside and told him that Harris was not welcome. Saidy, who was accompanying Harris protested, but the hotel managers were adamant. They went to another hotel where they were able to find accommodations.

Harris' studies at UCLA began to command more of his time as he embarked on a career in physics. It was on the west coast that he would meet another legend in Frank Street. Street won the 1965 U.S. Amateur Championship, graced the cover of Chess Life and became the 2nd Black to earn his National Master's title. He later migrated to the west coast where he had contact with Harris. Street was an understudy of Ken Clayton,who would also enter into masterdom in 1967 and became the 1963 US Amateur Champ. Charles Covington, a multi-talented musician and expert checker player, would also make his mark in the 70s. Covington is more-recently known for his self-published history of black chess players.

The 1970s introduced the “Fischer Boom” in which many players became enamored with chess through skillful marketing and the iconography of Bobby Fischer. This boomed resulted in tremendous growth in American chess and the Black communities saw a spurt in major cities such as New York, DC/Maryland, Philadelphia, Chicago and Cleveland. Chicago's Morris Giles was a solid master in the early 70s before going on a hiatus and returning ten years later to terrorize his opposition. The unassuming player had the heart of a lion and is famous for his dashing win over Walter Browne.

Morris Giles- Walter Browne

White to Move

Starting in the late 70s, a young player from the Midwest had begun to terrorize higher-rated opponents with his tactical wizardry. With his charisma and keen mind Emory Tate would raise the standard and serve as an inspiration for other Black players. He has since become an International Master and will go down in history as a legendary figure in American chess.

The 1980s demonstrated the effect of the Fischer Boom as a surge of Blacks reached Master level, most hailing from the east coast. Cities such as New York had already established the “Black Bear School of Chess” whose intent was to produce a contingent of Masters. This club would later produce masters such as and the first African-American Grandmaster, Maurice Ashley. Ashley has inspired millions of players including those as far away as Sweden's Pontus Carlsson. Pontus knew that gaining the GM title was only a matter of time, and he confidently spoke of joining Ashley in the Grandmaster ranks. Carlsson recently earned his 3rd and final Grandmaster norm at an international tournament in Mallorca, Spain. Here is his win in Mallorca against Luis Galego.

565

While no Black woman in America has earned Master rank, Baraka Shabazz was an immediate sensation in the early 1980s and would be seen at the famous Dupont Circle in Washington, DC taking on all comers. She participated in the U.S. Women’s Championship at age 15 and represented the U.S. in the under-16 World Championships in England.

Others such as three-time U.S. Championship qualifier Stephen Muhammad and Philadelphia legend Norman Rogers have made indelible marks. In 2001, both Muhammad and Rogers participated in a
memorial tournament named after Wilbert Paige, a Philadelphia chess icon. This tournament was played in Harlem, New York and featured 10 of the strongest Black players from the US, Canada, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.


A bright hope: 16-year-old Kayin Barclay

There are many talents ready to step up and become the future of Black chess in America. Sixteen-year old Kayin Barclay has participated in two Denker tournaments and defeated his first Grandmaster, Jaan Ehvlest at the Eastern Open. Ehlvest blundered at the end, and Kayin calmly punished him.

566

Jacob Wamala is #28 among 16-year olds and Michigan’s Jimmy Canty IIIis breaking barriers at #10 among 14-year olds while Tapiwa Gwaze of Texas is rising at #21. Amongst the girls, there is: Medina Parilla, 7th amongst 16-year old girls; Jessica Wamala (2005&2006 Polgar participant); Stephanie Ballom, former state champion of Texas; Darrian Robinson, 2006 World Youth representative; Brianna Conley, 2005 Polgar participant.


Darrian Robinson and Medina Parilla

In reading this essay one may ask, “Why is this important?” This
Black history is important for a number of basic reasons. First, it is rich part of chess history that has been overlooked for decades. Second, it reinforces the notion that chess has universal appeal. Third, it may inspire those who would not normally take an interest in chess.

I launched The Chess Drum in 2001 after a series of historic events in Black chess (including Maurice Ashley's GM title in 1999).Since that time the site has grown to almost 6,000 pages and has taken on a life and purpose far greater than its creator.
During my six years editing the chess drum, it amazes me how many inspiring stories go untold and how many exciting games never see the light of day.

While the attention is primarily on the game’s top players, much can be learned from lesser known players. Every game played, every tournament won, every title earned is important in telling the rise of Blacks in chess- a story of honor and accomplishment… events fit to be celebrated.

Solutions to puzzles:

Lorrea-Ortega- 1...Nxd4 2.Qxd4 Qa7! and Black is crushing. White played 3.Nd3, but after 3…Bxd3 4.Qxd3, Black plays 4…Bxc5+ and all of a sudden mate is unavoidable! The black queen will simply slide to h7 and inflict tremendous pain on the white monarch on h3. An absolutely amazing mating pattern!

Cleghorn-Harris- 1....dxe4!, when 2.Rxd8 Rxd8 3.Qe4 loses to Rd1+ 4.Kf2
Rf1#

Giles-Browne- Qxf7! forces resignation because Bxf7 Bxf7#

Be sure to check out the April Chess Life Magazine's profile of Daaim Shabazz by writer and USCF expert Gregory Kearse.