1/18/2003

Roselle Chess Club   congratulates Now IM Stephen Muhammad

Stephen Muhammad, born Stephen Booth is the fifth of seven children and was born at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas on January 24, 1962. His father served as a career military soldier and in two years, would move his family to Münich, Germany.

Years later around the age of 10 or 11, young Stephen learned chess from his older brother Timothy who had learned the game from their father. Stephen would defeat his brother in their first game after learning the moves and Timothy would never play him again. Later Muhammad would take a liking to the royal game but his interest really took off after spending time at Santa Monica beach in Los Angeles, California.

Known for his blitz prowess, IM Muhammad  has scored well in classical chess, earning all of his three IM norms toward the IM title. He earned his 1st norm at the historic Wilbert Paige tournament in 2001 (won clear 1st) and his 2nd at the 2002 World Open (performance rating of 2634)! At the 2002 Chicago Open, FM Muhammad qualified to compete in the 2003 U.S. Championship held in Seattle Washington where he earn his final IM Norm Congratulations to IM Stephen Muhammad. He is second (to GM Maurice Ashley) person of African descent to qualify. Very focused and determined, he hopes one day to earn the coveted GM title and enter the annals of history as a player of rare abilities.
 

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GM Maurice Ashley and FM Stephen Muhammad have traveled different paths in their respective lives, but both are now on the same path to Seattle to compete in the biggest test of their chess careers… the 2003 U.S. Championship. Their appearances are of tremendous historic significance in that this will be the first time that two players of African descent have competed for this prestigious title.

The nine-round tournament will be held January 9-18th and will feature all of America's top players, each having qualified through various qualifying criteria. In the second year of its new format, the tournament has been rejuvenated as both men and women compete head-to-head. Last year's overall winner was GM Larry Christiansen while WIM Jennifer Shahade won the Women's title.

This month's "Chess Crackers" features positions by both Ashley and Muhammad. "Historic Moments" will feature a photo gallery of the two players as the tournament wears on. IM Amon Simutowe annotates a game from the World Junior in "Fire on Board," and "The 65th Square" features, "Metaphysics of the Chess Mind." Start out the new year by following championship action at The Chess Drum!

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2002 National Chess Congress

Roselle's own Deftani Wins U2000
This is the 33rd Annual National Chess Congress. It is organized and directed by the Continental Chess Association.

5-1 was the magical score in the Open this year. Finishing in a large tie at the top were GMs
Igor Novikov, Leonid Yudasin, Alex Shabalov, Alex Stripunsky, Gennadi Zaitshik, 

Definitely worth mentioning is roselle's performance in the Congress  representing Roselle was , Maraj Deftani (5.5 - 6), U2000 Mauricio Camejo(5.0 - 6), U1800 Cesar Sorto (4.5 - 6), U2000 Errol Singh (4.0 - 6), and U1600 Alex Henderson (2.0 - 6).

Maraj Daftani Took  Clear 1st  Honors U2000 with an outstanding performance giving up only one draw in the final round to clinch.   While Mauricio Camejo  only loss came by the hands of Maraj Daftani in the 3rd round.   Errol Singh only loss also came in the 3rd Round To David Paulina of Washington D.C. who was then defeated by Daftani In the Following  round.

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mainz chess tournament 2001 (anand top's Kramnick)

The “Mainz” feature of the new venue was an intriguing battle of the two titleholders, Vishy Anand and Vladimir Kramnik, billed as “The Duel of the Champions”. And, with Mickey Adams and Peter Leko in a supporting act, something unique in the game: the first meeting over the board in public of two elite players in a Fischer Random Match.

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