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hosted by Chess Queen™ & 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Super-Cool Maurice Ashley Chess Documentary Project: You can Help make it Happen!
Hello chess blog friends, this Chess Blog post is about a special chess star - Maurice Ashley. Award-winning director/producer Jeffrey Plunkett and his talented team has completed the first part of the documentary 'Pushing Wood'.
PUSHING WOOD - a feature documentary
Director/producer Jeffrey Plunkett says, "If you've watched our intro video, you know we've already shot the first part of the story but we need your help to keep this project rolling... We're hoping to raise $50,000 so that we can finish shooting. That would include going to Brooklyn to explore Maurice's formative years (his daughter Nia has already told us some great stories) and following him on his roadshow of pitch meetings in the run-up to his second Vegas event. "In addition, we're hoping to continue shooting with some of the great folks we met in Vegas: Wesley, Timur, Alejandro, as well as some of the commentators. I also want to shoot at the US Championships this spring which will be held -- where else??? -- in my chess-loving hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. "The money we raise will help cover other production costs, too (expensive ones) like licensing archival film from the Fischer-Spassky showdown in '72. We're trying to keep the budget tight, but filmmaking ain't cheap, especially when we're committed to keeping the production values high." Jeff is supported by a highly qualified and talented team which includes Andrew McAllister as producer/editor and Michael Lockridge as director of photography. It is indeed a super-cool chess documentary project and you can help make it succeed.
Chess changed his life. Now he's changing chess.
Maurice's passion for chess is personal. He remembers growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, and being embarrassed to go to school because his family didn't have enough money to buy him shoes. At 12, he moved to Brooklyn with his mother, and fell in love with chess soon after. It transformed his life. Against the odds, he became the game's first black grandmaster. He went on to play professionally, traveling to tournaments around the world. He became one of the sport's best-known commentators and promoters. He's written books and given lectures. He's taught in New York, in the jungles of Belize, in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa. He's become a Joint Fellow at Harvard's Berkman Center and MIT's Media Lab exploring ways that technology can spread chess education. He knows that chess can be a vehicle for change. But with so little money in the game, there are few opportunities for kids to pursue careers in chess. He wants to change that.
Front and center in Pushing Wood is today's culture of competitive chess, a culture unlike any other in sports, one that demands endless preparation, induces endless psychological stress, and pays very little. In Vegas, we explore what a life in chess is like with grandmasters Cristian Chirila, Alejandro Ramirez, Wesley So, and Timur Gareev. Contribute now for the project on Indiegogo.
Chess Lecture Video: GM Maurice Ashley's Chess for Football Players!
Hello chess blog friends, Grandmaster Maurice Ashley gives an inspirational lecture at the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation in Saint Louis. High school athletes from all over Saint Louis City converged to hear Ashley, the first black Grandmaster, compare chess to their sport, American football. Cool video by SaintLouisChessClub.org!
US Chess Scoop Video - Tour Millionaire Chess with GM Maurice Ashley
Hello chess blog friends, more chess news from the U.S. -- Between festivities at the National Chess Open, GM Maurice Ashley gave the US Chess Scoop a tour of the Millionaire Chess Open. The ground-breaking event is set for Planet Hollywood, Vegas from October 9-13. He also talks about cross-promotion between the USCF and Millionaire Chess.
Hollywood Star Will Smith supports Maurice Ashley's Millionaire Chess Open
Hello everyone,
“I commend Maurice for creating a venue that showcases chess to the world. The Millionaire Chess Open is a fantastic concept that will invigorate current players, and the next generation of Grandmasters.” — Will Smith
About Millionaire ChessFounded in 2013 by International Grandmaster Maurice Ashley and Entrepreneur Amy Lee, Millionaire Chess is the highest-stakes open tournament worldwide with a record setting prize fund. On October 9-13, 2014, thousands of participants will come to Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada to play and hundreds of thousands will watch online. This unprecedented tournament will electrify chess fans worldwide. To learn more about Millionaire Chess, visit www.millionairechess.com. To receive updates on the event, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/millionairechess or on Twitter at: @highstakeschess
Millionaire Chess Open Sets History's Highest Stakes in Las Vegas
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK--(Marketwired - Dec. 19, 2013) - In 1972, Bobby Fischer defeated Boris Spassky in 'The Match of the Century,' a battle recounted on television sets and newspaper covers around the world. Next October, the Millionaire Chess Open hopes to garner similar attention by offering competitors the wealthiest prize in Open chess history.
The Millionaire Chess Open will be held over Columbus Day weekend October 9-13, 2014 at exciting Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada, and boasts a total of a million dollars in prizes - a record payout for an open chess tournament. The tournament is the brainchild of International Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, a world-famous chess commentator often called on to be the voice of some of the biggest chess matches in the world. Mr. Ashley also served as the organizer for HB Global Chess Challenge in 2005, a $500,000 Open that - until now - claimed the record title.
Ashley is excited to finally announce the Millionaire Chess Open after months of preparation, and invites chess players of all levels to join him in Las Vegas for an event that will make chess history. "I am thrilled to be a part of this exhilarating tournament," states Ashley. "To offer players a chance of winning part of our million dollar prize pool in one the most exciting cities in the world has always been a dream of mine to organize."
Mr. Ashley will be assisted by Millionaire Chess Open co-partner Amy Lee, an entrepreneur helping to back the event, and the technological creativity of the MIT Media Lab, where Mr. Ashley serves as a Director's Fellow. The Media Lab will be represented at the tournament by MIT Assistant Professor Kevin Slavin and members of his Playful Systems research group.
"We are inviting up to 3,000 participants to a tournament that will electrify both fans and media around the world," stated Mr. Ashley. "The technological innovativeness that the MIT Media Lab brings will also allow us to present chess in ways never seen before. Hundreds of thousands of fans will be able to witness the top chess players from around the world in action live and online. We fully intend to make this an event like no other."
"The Millionaire Chess Open aims to place competitive chess beneath a global spotlight," stated Ms. Lee. "We want to bring a sense of luxury into the game, and we believe that nothing adds as much excitement as setting record stakes!"
Chess players from all over the world are welcome to register for the tournament on the tournament website MillionaireChess.com.
About Millionaire Chess Open
MCO will take place in Las Vegas Nevada at Planet Hollywood October 9-13, 2014 and boast the record for the highest stakes in chess. Entry is only $1000 with a chance to win up to $100,000 for a total of $1,000,000. Registration: www.millionairechess.com. From Alexandra Kosteniuk's www.chessblog.com Also see her personal chess blog at www.chessqueen.com Don't miss Chess Queen™ YouTube Channel
GM Maurice Ashley Simul at Cleveland Scholastic Chess Open October 26
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
The 2013 Cleveland Scholastic Chess Open is set for October 26th. With a variety of awards ranging from college scholarships and job internships to e-readers and gift cards, this will be an elaborate and prestigious event. Grandmaster Maurice Ashley will be present at the tournament analyzing games, interacting with the players, and more.
This event is organized by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter and will be held at the Student Center in Cleveland State University.
The day before the event, GM Ashley will be participating in a simultaneous chess exhibition at the Tri-C Metro Campus, where he will be playing against only 25 people. The slots are going quickly so do not miss your opportunity to play (and potentially beat!) Grandmaster Maurice Ashley. All participants will receive a photograph taken with GM Ashley, a signed score sheet, and a signed chess board. Also, winners will receive a very special prize.
There will be five rounds in this tournament and a variety of sections (rated and unrated) so everyone can participate. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Grandmaster Ashley and to play against players from all across the state of Ohio.
For more information and to register for the Cleveland Scholastic Open and/or the simul, please visit the official tournament website.
For additional information on GM Ashley and the Cleveland Scholastic Open, I would highly recommend reading this excellent article by The Examiner.
Sinquefield Chess Cup: Jennifer Shahade on Reaching St Louis for power-packed Commentary
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013 Hi everyone,
Guess where's former American Women's Chess Champion, writer, commentator and poker player Jennifer Shahade? She's in Saint Louis where America's most high-powered chess event yet is set to take place from today! She is at the Sinquefield Chess Cup waiting for the games to start and her commentary. Here is her update from Chess Life Online of which she is the editor:
"I just arrived in Saint Louis for one of the most exciting events in US chess history, the Sinquefield Cup. The fun here kicked off Saturday with a drawing of the lots, where each player picked a custom designed DGT enabled House of Staunton set to determine pairings. In round one, Hikaru Nakamura (white) plays Levon Aronian while Magnus Carlsen (white) faces Gata Kamsky.On Sunday, the players hosted a Meet and Greet for photos and autographs at the Chess Club, which was naturally packed. Afterwards, all four players went to the Rams game.
It was Magnus Carlsen's first American football game, so GM Maurice Ashley kindly explained the rules to him and concluded, "He catches on quick." No doubt! At the end of the exciting game, the Saint Louis Rams edged out the Arizona Cardinals 27-24. Aronian and Carlsen were both high-fiving and cheering, clearly getting into the Saint Louis spirit. As an organizer and commentator, I predict that game is a premonition of how thrilling the tournament will be! Be sure to tune into my commentary at http://uschesschamps.com/live with GMs Maurice Ashley and Yasser Seirawan--between Maurice's energy and "Yaz's" eloquence, you're in for a treat! The coverage begins Monday at 1 local time/2 EST.
World as a Chess Board: Maurice Ashley (Chess Video)
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Maurice Ashley sees the world as a chessboard. As a chess grandmaster, he enjoys competition, thinking and acting under pressure, and has found that the ancient game of chess lends itself to life strategies as well. Enjoy the short video speech on chess by the first Afro-American Grandmaster.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone,
Grandmaster Maurice Ashley has been interviewed for the November issue of Chess Life Magazine. After the photoshoot, the GM proceeded play some blitz with an old friend, Leon Munro. Munro is "Master strength", according to Ashley, who played with time odds of five minutes to ninety seconds. Here is the nice chess video by Macauley Peterson.
GM Maurice Ashley to Discuss Chess and Critical Thinking in Special Lecture at University of Louisville
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Maurice Ashley, international chess grandmaster and ESPN commentator, will speak September 18 at the University of Louisville about “Thinking Critically Three Moves Ahead.”
The talk will begin at 4 p.m. in Ballroom B of the University Club with a reception afterward. UofL’s Liberal Studies Project, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business are sponsoring the free, public lecture. Ashley is expected to talk about how the thinking techniques used in chess can help people analyze problems and make confident decisions.
He wrote the 2005 book, “Chess for Success: Using an Old Game to Build New Strengths in Children and Teens,” and has traveled internationally to advocate the game’s intellectual and character-building effects. Besides earning the game’s international grandmaster title in 1999, Ashley won several awards from the U.S. Chess Federation and has been a chess commentator for ESPN. He also developed a chess DVD and iPhone application.
Ashley also will participate in Louisville’s IdeaFestival Sept. 20 and a related Thrivals 5.0 session Sept. 19 at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. (For more information, call Janna Tajibaeva at 1-502-852-2247 or email janna@louisville.edu.)
GM Maurice Ashley on inspiring African-American generation of young chess players
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hello everyone,
Here is a nice feature and interview on Grandmaster Maurice Ashley. Maurice Ashley, 45, is one of just 1,000 ches grandmasters in the world. He's also the only African-American and he's hoping to use that status to inspire a new, younger generation of African-Americans to take up the sport.
There are some 1,000 chess grandmasters around the world, but just one of them is an African-American.
Maurice Ashley, 45, wasn't even good enough to play on his high school chess team, but he worked hard at it and 11 years ago reached the rank of grandmaster.
There are three African-American chess players looking to join Ashley atop the list of grandmasters. All from New York, they've reached the rank of master, the level before grandmaster, before they even had their 13th birthdays. It took Ashley 14 years to move from master, which he reached at age 20, to grandmaster.
"I remember back in the day, growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone to play chess against — much less have kids, barely teenagers, being master's of the game," Ashley said. "So it's pretty cool to see these kids who are fierce competitors, and pretty average kids at that. They're not just chess geeks as one might imagine."
Now Ashley, who learned the game when he was growing up in Jamaica, makes chess his life. He travels the world tutoring and inspiring students in the game of chess. Sometimes he'll play an entire room full of students.
He didn't really become serious about chess, he says, until he got to Brooklyn Tech High School, after his family moved to New York City.
"I saw a friend playing the game. I knew the rules — I was a pretty smart kid and game play — so I played him," Ashley said. "He crushed me. I didn't quite understand why that was."
Ashley said he had a destiny moment when he saw a book about chess in the library. He figured if he read it, learned the strategies and then went back to his friend, he'd be able to win.
"He crushed me again," Ashley said. "It turned out he'd read that book and nine other books, and that's when I realized how much knowledge was indeed power."
Ashley said chess players now have to be much more creative and prolific to maintain the status of grandmaster nowadays, because technology has made it easier for chess players to trade information about the latest moves and strategies they've seen.
Ashley said being the only African-American grandmaster is important to him — in that he wants to be a role model to younger generations.
"I had an intense passion, bordering on an obsession, for this game. It completely consumed my life," he said. "I wanted to be great at it."
Simul chess video: GM Maurice Ashley on kids, chess and awesomeness of chess
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
Thirty students from the District, Maryland and Virginia played against Maurice Ashley, the first African-American chess grandmaster. The exhibition was part of a fundraiser for the U.S. Chess Center in D.C. (Ben de la Cruz and Puja Bhalerao)
Persistent pursuit of passion - in life and chess - is the key to success, says GM Maurice Ashley
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
Why do some people become successful in life while others don’t? Maurice Ashley, the first African-American international grandmaster of chess, said he believes most people succeed through a persistent pursuit of their passion, according to this nice news report.
“Success is a path without an endpoint,” Ashley said in his lecture to Albany State University students in the ACAD Auditorium on Sept. 22. “In order to succeed, you have to be willing to stay on your path daily, even though you may be surrounded by distractions.”
Ashley made history in 1999 when he attained the coveted title of Grandmaster of Chess. At that time he was the only African American ever to hold that title. “Success is never easy; nor is it a straight path,” he said. “There will be difficulties, mistakes and failures, but you have to persist. I started playing chess at age 14 and became a grandmaster at 33. I kept going because chess was my passion; it was all I wanted to do.”
Ashley, who shared tales of his youth growing up in a violent area of Jamaica, encouraged ASU students to do what is necessary to find their own path in life.“Be authentic; don’t follow the crowd,” Ashley told the students. “Sometimes you will be all alone, but you will be all right as long as you remain true to who you are.”
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12th Women's World Chess Champion
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