First Female African-American National Master- Shama Yisrael

By Adeola Adeyinka, Operations Intern 

A major event that seemingly went unnoticed in the Chess World was Shama Yisrael becoming the first female, African-American national master. This twenty-year-old Floridian has surpassed the 2200 US Chess Federation rating barrier in a round against Frank Castillo in the Pinecrest Independence Open.

Her coach National Master Otis Wilson aided in her surpassing the USCF rating barrier to achieve her current status. Yisrael likened her success to her chess inspirations from her personal coach to the former World Chess Champion, Anatoly Karpov. She stated “My coach has been and still is my biggest influence, inspiration and mentor.”

Coach Wilson and Yisrael have commented on their admiration for Karpov’s playing style, aftering having analyzed his games. Coach Wilson has also commented on Yisrael’s talent and work ethic that have attributed to this major success.

Yisrael’s started playing chess in 2014. She developed her foundational skills at a local library.  She received her first rating of 566 and within the span of a few years, she earned rankings in the top 100 under 21. She gradually ascended to the top 10 for players aged 18. With participation in over 250 USCF events,

In one of her most recent tournaments, Yisrael was capable of bringing Grandmaster Aleksa Strikovic to a draw. This was an impressive feat, considering Strikovic’s title and experience. As a Serbian chess grandmaster, he currently holds a 2224 rating and has a peak rating of 2573.

Outside of the chess world, this accomplishment serves as an inspiration to fellow young black chess players, who are looking to make their breakthroughs. It is not often that talent like Yisrael’s is placed in the public eye, and it is monumental to see the support coming from it. Shama’s accomplishment is another step towards black girls making more advancements in the world of chess.

5 thoughts on “First Female African-American National Master- Shama Yisrael”

  1. Shama Yisrael’s achievement is truly inspiring! Becoming the first female African-American National Master is a monumental step not just for her, but for the entire chess community. It’s amazing to see her dedication and hard work paying off, especially considering her rapid rise since starting chess in 2014. Her journey is a powerful reminder of how much can be accomplished with the right guidance and determination.

    For those of us balancing our own academic or professional pursuits, it can be tough to stay focused on everything. If you’re looking for some help with your writing assignments, especially expository essays, I recommend checking out expository essay writing service. It could be a great way to manage your workload while staying inspired by stories like Shama’s!

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