TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida A&M University Chess Club is making history as it prepares to compete in the prestigious HBCU Chess Tournament at Morehouse College on April 12-13, where 10 students will represent FAMU. This tournament will bring together some of the brightest minds from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), highlighting their strategic prowess and competitive spirit.

FAMU Professor, Founder of The Chess Drum, and Chess Club Advisor Daaim Shabazz, Ph.D., emphasized the significance of this moment.

“Chess has always been more than just a game; it’s a discipline that teaches patience, resilience, and critical thinking. FAMU’s participation in this tournament represents our commitment to intellectual excellence and our ability to compete on a national level,” Shabazz said.

The FAMU Chess Club has grown exponentially in recent years, attracting students from all academic disciplines. The club’s mission extends beyond competition, seeks to foster community, sharpening analytical skills, and creating a space where students can bond over a shared love for chess.

“This is more than just a game for us. It’s about proving that FAMU belongs in these intellectual spaces,” Parker said. “Competing at Morehouse is an opportunity to showcase our talent, strategy, and the work we’ve put in all semester.”

For many players, the chess club has become a second family, where students build lasting friendships and find support both on and off the board. The upcoming tournament is an opportunity to strengthen those bonds and demonstrate FAMU’s competitive edge in the world of collegiate chess.

Shabazz also spoke on how chess has become a cultural bridge within the university.

“When students sit down at the board, they’re not just playing a game,” Shabazz said. “They’re engaging in a battle of intellect, testing their limits, and forming connections that go beyond the classroom.”

For FAMU, a victory in Atlanta would not just be a win for the chess club but a triumph for the entire university. It would serve as proof that Rattlers excel in every field, including the intellectually demanding world of competitive chess. Shabazz highlighted the broader significance of this moment:

“Winning this tournament would be monumental. It would send a message that our institutions are producing top-tier intellectuals who can compete on any stage,” Shabazz said.

The FAMU Chess Club has spent months preparing, studying famous games, refining their tactics, and challenging each other in practice matches. Members shared that their determination to bring home a victory is fueled by their pride in their university and the desire to put FAMU on the national chess map.

Parker reflected on the deeper impact of this journey,

“No matter what happens in Atlanta, we’ve already won in the sense that we’ve built something meaningful here at FAMU, Parker said, but of course, we’re going in to win it all.”

As the team gears up for the challenge ahead, they carry with them the support of the entire FAMU community, proving that chess is more than a game; it is a force that unites, inspires, and elevates.

Media Contact:

Rachel James-Terry
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu

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