About Maurice
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Maurice made history when he became the
first African-American to attain the coveted title
of International Grandmaster of
Chess in 1999.
He has been an ardent spokesman and advocate of
the intellectual and character building effects in
young people for over 15 years. GM Ashley is the
world’s premier and live chess commentator
for ESPN. He is a renowned speaker and consultant
who has spoken to several universities and
professional organizations nationally.
GM Ashley has received multiple community
service awards from city governments,
universities, and non-profit groups for his work.
His book, Chess for
Success (2005, published by Broadway
Books), crystallizes his vision of using chess to
help at-risk youth. GM Ashley (2007) signed
a deal with HBO to make a movie about his Harlem
team's victory at the National Junior High School
Championships.
Maurice Ashley's media
coverage on becoming 1st African-American
International Grandmaster includes Time magazine,
USA Today, New York Times, Sports Illustrated,
London Times, Ebony, Investor's Business Daily,
New York Daily News, Jet, New York Newsday, New
York Post, Emerge, and a host of other papers
around the world served by the Associated Press
and Reuters.
He has appeared on The Charlie Rose Show, CBS
News This Morning, National Public Radio, Today
New York (W-NBC), CNN, Bloomberg Radio, and a
number of radio shows around the U.S.
He served as commentator for the IBM Kasparov
vs. Deep Blue rematch (1997), 1996 Man vs. Machine
match (Kasparov vs. Deep Blue), and other world
championship matches.
GM
Ashley was coach of the Raging Rooks (J.H.S.
43) of Harlem, winners of the National Junior High
School Championships (1991) ; and also coach of
the Dark Knights (also from Harlem), two time
National Champions (1994 and 1995) in the Junior
Varsity Division and was the head of the Dark
Knights program as they continued to win six
National Championship titles.
Maurice Ashley was named 2003
Grandmaster of the Year by the U.S. Chess
Federation. Maurice makes appearances all over the
country speaking to young people and adults about
chess and its benefits.
