Hip-hoppers get their game on. Chess, that is.
Eric K. Arnold, Special to The Chronicle
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
So a platinum-selling hip-hop producer, a chess grandmaster, the world’s most famous turntablist and a Brazilian martial arts specialist walk into a community center. …
No, it’s not the beginning of a joke, but a sample of what you might find at a Hip-Hop Chess Federation event.
On a recent Saturday, the HHCF held Hip-Hop, Chess and Life Strategies 2 at San Francisco’s Omega Boys Club. Part tournament and exhibition, part symposium and panel discussion, the event attracted a great mix of ages and cultures.
“I like chess. It makes my mind go good,” said Will Spain, 6.
“I thought these people were so fabulous, so dynamic,” said his mother, Leah.
…Banjoko, an author and journalist known as the bishop of hip-hop, has been enamored of chess since his father taught him the game as a kid. In his two-volume series of self-published books, “Lyrical Swords,” Banjoko (who also blogs for SFGate.com) juxtaposes interviews and essays on his three favorite passions in life: chess, martial arts and hip-hop (not necessarily in that order).
…”Chess is, for a lot of these people, an intellectual dirty secret,” Banjoko says. “It’s in itself a mental martial art,” proven to improve math skills and reading comprehension. Banjoko says it’s also “a proven tool for uplifting minds,” as well as “a way to enrich kids (spiritually) without religious dogma.”
Here is the full article.
Chess is “…a way to enrich kids (spiritually) without religious dogma…”
That is a very interesting observation. I have never made that correlation before. I fully agree that the arts (including chess) are the root of human spirituality, and as far as I know, no one is being killed in the name of chess. 🙂
I think RZA and GZA from Wutang Clan must be fans of chess. In Jim Jarmusch’s “Coffee and Cigarettes”, they’re both in a restaurant (being served by Bill Murray). When they leave, one asked the other if he wants to play a game of chess. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Also, the room has a definite black and white checkered theme going on.
I think the video is on youtube…Rich
“Chess is, for a lot of these people, an intellectual dirty secret,” –interesting quote!
It is so true, I know of many people who are chess enthusiasts but hate to admit it or hide the fact when non-chess friends are around.
Why should we be ashamed of the fact we are chess players?
Long live Hip-Hop and chess!