Maurice Ashley

Maurice Ashley

(March 6, 1966, St. Andrews, Jamaica)

Pioneer Remarkable Achiever of being International Grandmaster chess title

Maurice Ashley, born in 1966, is a prominent American chess player, celebrated author, and distinguished commentator. His life and career have been marked by groundbreaking achievements, educational contributions, and a lasting legacy in the world of chess.

Early Life and Journey

Maurice Ashley’s remarkable journey began in St. Andrew, Jamaica, where he was born. At the age of 12, he relocated to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York.

His educational path included attending Wolmer’s Boys School in Jamaica and later Brooklyn Technical High School. His intellectual pursuits led him to graduate from the City College of New York (CCNY) with a B.A. in Creative Writing. During his time at CCNY, Ashley actively represented the school in intercollegiate chess team competitions.

Ashley’s passion for chess was ignited during his formative years in Brownsville, Brooklyn. It was in this environment that he began to take chess seriously, frequently engaging in matches in New York City’s parks and chess clubs.

Chess Career and Achievements

Maurice Ashley’s chess career is marked by remarkable achievements:

• In 1992, he shared the United States Game/10 chess championship with Maxim Dlugy, showcasing his exceptional skill and competitiveness.
• On March 14, 1999, Ashley made history by defeating Adrian Negulescu, thereby fulfilling the requirements for the Grandmaster title. This groundbreaking achievement made him the first Black chess Grandmaster, shattering barriers within the chess community.
• In September 1999, he established the Harlem Chess Center, an institution that attracted both aspiring chess enthusiasts and notable figures like Larry Johnson and Wynton Marsalis.
• Alongside GM Susan Polgar, Ashley was honored as the 2003 Grandmaster of the Year by the U.S. Chess Federation.
• In 2003, he authored an essay titled “The End of the Draw Offer?,” sparking discussions on strategies to reduce quick agreed draws in chess tournaments.
• His commitment to promoting chess’s positive aspects led to the publication of the book “Chess for Success” in 2005.
• Ashley organized the 2005 HB Global Chess Challenge, featuring the largest cash prize in the history of open chess tournaments.
• In 2007, he returned to his birthplace, Jamaica, becoming the first GM to participate in a tournament there, the Frederick Cameron Open.
• His contributions to chess were recognized on a broader scale when he was featured in the CNN documentary “Black in America” in 2008. He was also prominently portrayed mentoring a young chess player in the film “Brooklyn Castle” and mentioned in the chess movie “Life of a King.”
• Starting in the Fall of 2012, Ashley served as a Director’s Fellow at the MIT Media Lab and held a joint fellowship at both Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society and the Media Lab at MIT from 2013 to 2015. Currently, he continues to be a Research Affiliate at the Media Lab at MIT.
• In 2013, Ashley announced plans for the Millionaire Chess Open, aiming to host the highest-stakes open chess tournament in history. Its inaugural edition took place from October 9 to 13, 2014, in Las Vegas.
• In 2015, Ashley announced a partnership with the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and Ascension, Your Move Chess. This initiative supports after-school chess programs in the Florissant-Ferguson School District and aims to expand nationally.
• In February 2016, a viral video captured Ashley defeating a “trash-talking” amateur chess player in Washington Square Park, showcasing his enduring passion for the game.

Hall of Fame Induction and Recognition

Maurice Ashley’s significant contributions to the world of chess culminated in his induction into the US Chess Hall of Fame on April 13, 2016. This honor acknowledged his unwavering dedication, groundbreaking achievements, and profound impact on the sport.

Remarkable Commentator

Maurice Ashley has carved a niche as a distinguished chess commentator, enriching the chess community with his insights. His commentary has graced numerous prestigious events, including the Grand Chess Tour and world championship matches. Notably, he provided commentary during the historic matches between world champion Garry Kasparov and IBM’s Deep Blue in 1996 and 1997. Ashley also offered commentary during the Kasparov vs. Anand World Championship match in 1995, hosted ESPN’s broadcast of Kasparov’s match against X3D Fritz in 2003, and served as a commentator for the 2013–19 Sinquefield Cups, several US Chess Championships, and various other chess events.

Personal Life and Family

In 1993, Maurice Ashley married Michele Ashley-Johnson. They became parents to two children, Nia (born the following year) and Jayden (born in 2002), but the couple later divorced in 2014.

Maurice’s family boasts a rich legacy of athletes. His sister, Alicia Ashley, achieved fame as a former world boxing champion, while his brother, Devon Ashley, is renowned as a former world kickboxing champion. Maurice Ashley once eloquently noted, “African-continent GMs do exist; but, according to the system of racial classification, I am the first Black GM in history… it matters, and doesn’t matter, all at the same time.”

Works and Publications

Maurice Ashley’s contributions extend to the written word:

• “The End of the Draw Offer?” (Published in The 65th Square)
• “Chess for Success: Using an Old Game to Build New Strengths in Children and Teens” (Published by Broadway Books, 2005)
• “The Most Valuable Skills in Chess” (Co-authored with Graham Burgess, Published by Gambit, 2009)
• “Ferguson and The Chess Game of Life” (Published in Jet, October 15, 2015)

Multimedia and Educational Initiatives

Beyond his written works, Ashley has made significant contributions through multimedia:

• “Maurice Ashley Teaches Chess For Beginning and Intermediate Players” (CD-ROM, Published by Davidson & Associates, 1997)
• Appearance in the documentary “America Beyond the Color Line: Ebony Towers” (2009)
• Various educational and informative videos, interviews, and lectures continue to inspire chess enthusiasts worldwide.

Maurice Ashley’s enduring dedication, groundbreaking achievements, and educational contributions have left an indelible legacy in the world of chess, making him a true trailblazer and role model.