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International Grand Master, Maurice Ashley, has agreed to do an interview for members of the ChessManiac Community. All Questions will come from members of the ChessManiac.com community. Please submit your questions via the contact admin button after creating your free online chess account. Everyone who submits a question will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win Maurice Ashley's new book, Chess for Success . Five books will be awarded.


Ashley's major chess accomplishments include:

In 1991, he coached a team of kids from Harlem to victory at the National Junior High School Championships, in Dearborn, Michigan.

In 1993, he became the first African-American International Master in US history.

Finished 1^st place in the prestigious Enhance International in 1993.

Won the title of Champion at the historic Marshall Chess Club Championship in 1993.

Was a commentator for the World Championship match between Kasparov and Anand in 1995.

Tied for 1^st in the Bermuda Open in 1997. Was a lead commentator when World Champion Garry Kasparov lost to IBM's Deep Blue chess computer.
In 1999, became the first African-American International Grandmaster in history. He also opened the Harlem Chess Center, which unfortunately closed in 2002 due to lack of adequate funding.

Tied for 1^st in the 2000 Foxwoods Open.

In 2001, became the only back-to-back winner in Foxwoods Open history.

In 2002, became the 1^st African-American in 157 years to qualify for the US Championship.

In 2003, the US Chess Federation awarded him the title of Grandmaster of the Year.

In 2004, he was named Community Educator of the Year by his alma mater, the City College of New York. He also hosted the ESPN broadcasts of the Man vs Machine chess competitions.

With the Maurice Ashley Foundation, Ashley hopes to establish chess as a key component in the development of thinking as a skill in young people.

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