Stephen Muhammad, an international chess master and Georgia Chess Hall of Fame nominee passed away on December 8, 2024, at the age of 62.
According to some reports, the 62-year-old Stephen Muhammad was battling colon cancer and took his last breath at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
He was renowned for his exceptional chess skills and was the first black chess player to play in the prestigious U.S. Championship 2003 alongside GM Maurice Ashley.
Moreover, the International Master Stephen Muhammad participated in three U.S. Championships and was a five-time Georgia State champion.
With his exceptional chess skills, he defeated some renowned chess Grandmasters, including Johann Hjartarson, Eduard Gufeld, Walter Browne, Michael Rohde, Rosendo Carrean Balinas, and Semon Palatnik.
Similarly, he won several games in the World Open, including the 2002 Chicago Open, which led to his first appearance in the U.S. Championship.
He also won Florida and Alabama state titles; Stephen’s contribution to chess will always be remembered.
The whole Georgia Chess community and his loved ones mourn the loss of Stephen Muhammad.
In response to his demise, many of Stephen Muhammad’s fans and friends recall his achievements and send their heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
One of Stephen’s old friends recalled sharing rooms with him during a tournament in Chicago 2007 and regarded the late Stephen as a great and kind human being.
Left to cherish his life are his sister, Cheryle, and her husband, Harold Stewart; four brothers, Michael Booth; Ronald Booth Sr. and his wife, Gwen; Robert Booth and his wife, Genevieve; and Garth Booth, along with his nieces, nephews, and friends.
Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Reinard Booth and Jessie Bell Wardlaw Booth, one brother, Timothy Booth, one nephew, Dwayne Booth, and other relatives.
Moreover, the memorial service for the late Stephen Muhammed was held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, in the Progressive Chapel.
Stephen Muhammad Learned Chess From His Older Brother, Timothy Booth!
The late Stephen Muhammad began his chess journey at the very young age of 10, inspired by his older brother, the late Timothy Booth.
Timothy, who learned chess from their father, Reinard Booth, instilled a passion for chess in Stephen.
Moreover, after defeating his brother Timothy in their first game, Timothy refused to play him again, and seeking more competitions for his growing chess passion, Stephen entered his first tournament at Tuskegee Institute University.
In a 2002 interview with The Chess Drum, Muhammad recalled his first tournament experience, stating:
“I believe my first tournament was at Tuskegee Institute University. My father taught Military Science there, so I was allowed to play even though I was in high school at the time; I did not win or anything, and I don’t remember my exact score, but I do remember coming away with a terrible headache! That’s is not where my love for chess began for sure.”
Stephen Muhammad graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee, Atlanta, and spent three years in the U.S. Army as a Station Technical Controller and served in Korea, where his father Reinard was a military soldier.
His first rating was 1537, earned at the Army qualifier at Ft. Meade in Maryland in 1981; after he departed from the U.S. Army, he started working for American Airlines for several years in Los Angeles, California, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sad to hear of the passing of International Master Stephen Muhammad (1962-2024) of Georgia (USA) from colon cancer at the age of 62. Stephen was the first black player to play in the U.S. Championship (2003) according to Daaim Shabazz's obituary:https://t.co/R2o5XA1cG5
— Alex King (@alexkingchess) February 10, 2025
Similarly, during his tenure at American Airlines, he became a keen blitz player, achieved his National Mastet’s title in 1989, and became Senior Master only three years later in 1992.
Muhammad left American Airlines, alleging a toxic environment, resettled in Columbus, and continued his education at Auburn University in Alabama, earning an engineering degree in 2001.
Inspired by the 1995 Million Man March, Stephen Muhammad began studying Islam and the teachings of Elijah Muhammad.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Stephen Muhammad was born Stephen Booth, the fifth of seven children, at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, on January 24, 1962.
- His father, Reinard, served as a Sergeant Major. He and his family moved to Munich, Germany, and lived there for three years.
- Stephen earned his first norm at the historic Wilbert Paige tournament in 2001 and 2nd at the 2002 World Open.
- His highest rating was 2460, from the World Open 1997 after defeating two GMs and an IM.
- Stephen got his middle name, Alaska, from his paternal grandfather, Alaska Golden Booth.
