Maurice Ashley
*Maurice Ashley was born on this date in 1966. He is a Black chess player, educator, and Grand Master.
At age 12, he moved to Brooklyn, NY, with his family from St. Andrew, Jamaica. His brother was the source of his learning of the chess game. Ashley also got a great deal of inspiration from the writings of former World Champion Paul Morphy. While attending Brooklyn Tech High School, he gained proficiency in local tournaments. Ashley also sharpened his Chess competition with the Black Bear Chess Club.
In 1986, he earned the rank of National Master, surpassing the 2400 barrier with 2606. Soon after, Ashley was coach of the Raging Rooks (J.H.S. 43) of Harlem, winners of the National Junior High School Championships (1991), and the Dark Knights (also from Harlem), two-time National Champions (1994 and 1995) in the Junior Varsity Division. He was the head of the Dark Knights program as they continued to win six National Championship titles.
In 1993, Ashley earned the status of International Master, and in 1999, he became the first player of Black African heritage to attain the rank of Grand Master. That same year, Ashley opened the Harlem Chess Center. The U.S. Chess Federation recently named him the 2003 Grandmaster of the Year. Maurice Ashley makes appearances nationwide, speaking to young people and adults about chess and its benefits.
Ashley was featured in 2005 at the richest-ever Global Chess Challenge in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
