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Stephen Muhammad
S Muhammad 
At the 2003 U.S. Chess Championship. Courtesy of thechessdrum.net  

Number of games in database: 118
Years covered: 1989 to 2007
Highest rating achieved in database: 2394
Overall record: +33 -42 =42 (46.2%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games in the database. 1 exhibition game, blitz/rapid, odds game, etc. is excluded from this statistic.

MOST PLAYED OPENINGS
With the White pieces:
 King's Indian (11) 
    E94 E88 E84 E86 E81
 Queen's Pawn Game (8) 
    A40 A46 E10 D02
 Grunfeld (6) 
    D82 D70 D94 D91 D93
 Slav (5) 
    D15 D17 D16
 Semi-Slav (5) 
    D47 D45
With the Black pieces:
 Ruy Lopez (15) 
    C78 C69 C91 C99 C77
 King's Indian (14) 
    E60 E92 E76 E73 E90
 Dutch Defense (5) 
    A90 A84 A91
 Giuoco Piano (5) 
    C53 C50 C54
Repertoire Explorer

NOTABLE GAMES: [what is this?]
   Glek vs S Muhammad, 2005 0-1
   S Muhammad vs B G Smith, 2001 1-0
   B Finegold vs S Muhammad, 2003 1/2-1/2
   S Muhammad vs A Simutowe, 2001 1-0

NOTABLE TOURNAMENTS: [what is this?]
   Generation Chess International (2003)
   34th World Open (2006)
   United States Championship (2003)
   USA Masters (1990)
   Chessmaster US Championship 2005 (2004)
   HB Global Chess Challenge (2005)
   31st World Open (2003)
   United States Championship (2006)

Search Sacrifice Explorer for Stephen Muhammad
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FIDE player card for Stephen Muhammad

STEPHEN MUHAMMAD
(born Jan-24-1962, died Dec-08-2024, 62 years old) United States of America

[what is this?]

Stephen Muhammad, born Stephen Booth, was an IM.

http://www.thechessdrum.net/drummaj...

Last updated: 2025-01-02 04:13:28

Try our new games table.

 page 1 of 5; games 1-25 of 119  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. J Fedorowicz vs S Muhammad 1-0271989American OpenE73 King's Indian
2. S Muhammad vs L Au  1-0501989American OpenA73 Benoni, Classical, 9.O-O
3. L T Battes vs S Muhammad  ½-½32199018th World OpenC44 King's Pawn Game
4. L Kaplan vs S Muhammad  1-0511990USA MastersB84 Sicilian, Scheveningen
5. S Muhammad vs R Weaver  ½-½621990USA MastersD09 Queen's Gambit Declined, Albin Counter Gambit, 5.g3
6. K Bachler vs S Muhammad  0-1411990USA MastersB90 Sicilian, Najdorf
7. S Muhammad vs C Bondari  1-0341990USA MastersE60 King's Indian Defense
8. F Inumerable vs S Muhammad  1-0431990USA MastersE98 King's Indian, Orthodox, Taimanov, 9.Ne1
9. S Muhammad vs R K Johnson  0-1671990USA MastersD16 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav
10. Miles vs S Muhammad  1-0501990USA MastersA43 Old Benoni
11. Bolbochan vs S Muhammad  ½-½29199192nd US OpenD75 Neo-Grunfeld, 6.cd Nxd5, 7.O-O c5, 8.dxc5
12. Z Rahman vs S Muhammad  0-138199192nd US OpenC30 King's Gambit Declined
13. G Small vs S Muhammad 1-0621991Santa Barbara Grand Prix, S.B., CAE76 King's Indian, Four Pawns Attack
14. S Muhammad vs J Torres ½-½561992FishbecksD15 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav
15. D J Strauss vs S Muhammad  1-0461993National OpenE90 King's Indian
16. S Muhammad vs P Wolff  ½-½241993National OpenD02 Queen's Pawn Game
17. R Sasata vs S Muhammad  1-0441993Continental OpenE76 King's Indian, Four Pawns Attack
18. S Muhammad vs P Moulin  0-1301994New York OpenE41 Nimzo-Indian
19. S Muhammad vs V Saulespurens  ½-½681995Southern California-chA44 Old Benoni Defense
20. S Muhammad vs A J Goldsby 0-136199930th Southern (Chess) Congress OpenA48 King's Indian
21. S Muhammad vs A J Goldsby 0-1382000The Pensacola QuarterlyE73 King's Indian
22. A J Goldsby vs S Muhammad ½-½282000Greater AL OpenC69 Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation
23. S Muhammad vs A J Goldsby  ½-½162000Pensacola Quarterly (Summer)D93 Grunfeld, with Bf4 & e3
24. D Strenzwilk vs S Muhammad  1-0432000Washington Eastern opA01 Nimzovich-Larsen Attack
25. A J Goldsby vs S Muhammad ½-½472001The 'Russ Chambers' OpenC78 Ruy Lopez
 page 1 of 5; games 1-25 of 119  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | Muhammad wins | Muhammad loses  

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Mar-21-07  Dr.Lecter: Congrats to Muhammad for becoming an IM!
Mar-22-07  ahmadov: I have an impression that the world knows little about chess in the US. Is it because the US has less GMs than Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and some other countries?
Mar-22-07  ahmadov: I also congratulate Muhammad, who is said to be a good person.
Mar-22-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  JointheArmy: I'm not sure if that's the reason, but its annoying having emigrates play under the US flag.
Mar-22-07  Marmot PFL: The practical difficulties of becoming a GM are enormous. Usually this means moving to Europe and getting invited into tournaments created mainly to get IM and GM norms for the players involved. I have heard that often the points needed are for sale at the right price. Playing in open US tournaments though there is almost no chance of becoming a GM. You could play your whole life and never play enough FIDE players to get a norm.
Mar-22-07  euripides: <marmot> If one's grading is high enough one can play for a club in the UK national league and get a norm that way (local leagues aren't FIDE-rated). Clubs compete for players so there's no problem gettting an invite, though there's no money unless one is playing for a sponsored team. Games are played at weekends at a hotel in the middle of the country, so it's compatible with a job. The USCF might consider setting up this sort of system - probably regional rather than national leagues in the US.
Mar-22-07  VinnyRoo2002: ahmadov: Never say never, especially when the guy is very close to becoming a GM...

He really isn't that close to becoming a GM. Based on the article I read, he struggled to break the 2400 barrier. To jump up another 100 points to get to 2500 is a very difficult leap especially when he is already rated so high. This isn't like improving from 1300 to 1400, this is having to beat very difficult opponents on a consistant basis. Based on the fact that he has a losing record according to the chessgames database, and after looking over his games, I just don't see it happening. But I hope I'm wrong.

Mar-22-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  JointheArmy: <VinnyRoo2002> All he has to do is wait a few years. Inflation will take care of itself.
Mar-22-07  ahmadov: <VinnyRoo2002> When I say he is close to becoming a GM, I compare his chances with yours and mine ;)
Mar-11-08  Bobsterman3000: What's happening with this guy lately? He's my hero! He lives in Georgia and started chess relatively late in life.

I know it's tough to become a GM against US competition.

Mar-11-08  VinnyRoo2002: I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so:) Like I said a year ago, I really hope he becomes a GM, but I just don't see it happening.
Mar-12-08  Bobsterman3000: <VinnyRoo> Can you show any examples of what you referred to as "inadequate agression" on Muhammad's part? Does he need to start playing like Polgar?

May-23-08  ahmadov: Did this guy not take part at the US championship because of his rating?
Jul-02-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  LIFE Master AJ: Stephen took part in at least one U.S. Championship. (A few years ago, they had a more "open" format.)
Jul-02-08  ahmadov: <LIFE Master AJ: Stephen took part in at least one U.S. Championship. (A few years ago, they had a more "open" format.)> Yes, I think I remember that... My previous post was about the last championship in which Stephen did not take part...
Jul-06-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  LIFE Master AJ: This link has some info about S. Muhammad. (http://www.thechessdrum.net/drummaj...)
Apr-28-09  manethos: Is muhammud still playing chess?
Dec-20-09
Premium Chessgames Member
  LIFE Master AJ: <manethos> Rumor has it that Stephen had a big dispute with Georgia Chess ... and stopped playing. According to the USCF online records, he has not played in over two years!

http://main.uschess.org/component/o... (I don't know if this link works or not. Otherwise, go to the main USCF website and use the "rating/player lookup" function.)

May-21-10  BobCrisp: With respect to FIDE's motto, <Gens Una Sumus>, and to foster a spirit of harmony and reconciliation between Islam, the religion of peace, and us, the Kafir, I picture the organisation of a huge simultaneous display, given by Stephen, in which all the games would be peaceably concluded within a few moves. I would call this event, <Everybody Draw Muhammad Day>.
May-21-10  Riverbeast: <Bob Crisp> Oooh, that was clever
Jun-21-11
Premium Chessgames Member
  LIFE Master AJ: I was in Birmingham, AL in May.

Several people asked me about Steve. I have no idea where he is ... or if he is still playing chess.

Feb-23-12  BIDMONFA: Stephen Muhammad

MUHAMMAD, Stephen A.
http://www.bidmonfa.com/MUHAMMAD%20...
_

Jan-02-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  LIFE Master AJ: I think S. Muhammad quit chess? Does anyone know his whereabouts? (Just curious.)
Jan-02-25  stone free or die: I wouldn't say he quit chess, but he has unfortunately permanently retired from chess:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...

.

Jan-06-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  LIFE Master AJ: I am very sad to hear that Stephen passed away. (A former student & supporter of my websites sent me an email with a link to the obituary.)

Does anyone know the cause of death? Does anyone know why Steve stopped playing chess? (I have so many questions that I would like an answer to.)

In one of my best tournament performances ever, I beat Stephen Muhammad, Ross Sprague and drew Danny Miller. (I am sure that my win vs. Steve is out there on the Internet somewhere, it was a VERY exciting King's Indian.)

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