Maurice Ashley made history when he became the first and only African-American to attain the coveted title of International Grand Master of Chess in 1999.

His 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.

Maurice 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 was named 2003 Grandmaster of the Year by the U.S. Chess Federation. He is the author of Chess for Success a book about how chess can help children succeed in life.

Maurice makes appearances all over the country speaking to young people and adults about chess and its benefits.

More information about GM Ashley can be found by visiting his website at www.mauriceashley.com.