Maurice Ashley, the first Black Chess Grandmaster in history, shares his journey from library discovery to championship success. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a beginner's mindset to foster growth and adaptability. The discussion highlights how elite performers learn from mistakes instead of avoiding them. Ashley also reveals insights about managing overconfidence and the significance of preparation during high-pressure moments. His life lessons, drawn from chess, resonate with personal leadership and continuous improvement.
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Chess Discovery
At 14, Maurice Ashley found a chess book in the library, sparking his interest.
He wanted to beat his friend but became fascinated by strategy and grandmasters.
insights INSIGHT
Grandmaster Thinking
Grandmasters don't calculate dozens of moves ahead, focusing on immediate awareness.
Situational awareness, assessing threats and opportunities in the present, is key.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Mastering Basics
To improve, revisit and master the basics, like Kobe Bryant perfecting his jump shot.
This reveals hidden truths and allows for improvisation built on a strong foundation.
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In *Move by Move*, Maurice Ashley shares essential life lessons learned from chess, using personal anecdotes and insights from notable chess players. The book covers topics from self-knowledge to strategic thinking and the importance of failure, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in applying strategic thinking to their daily lives.
Maurice Ashley: Move by Move
Maurice Ashley is a Chess Grandmaster, an ESPN commentator, a three-time national championship coach, and an author. In 1999 he earned the title of Chess Grandmaster, making him the first Black Grandmaster in the game’s history, and in 2016 he was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame. He's the author of Move by Move: Life Lessons on and off the Chessboard*.
There was a time that you could get a degree or a certification and you’ve be set on your learning for awhile. Those days are long gone. With change happening at the speed of thought, we must keep improving. In this conversation, Maurice and I discuss the mindsets and tactics that will help you keep growing.
Key Points
Jazz artists don’t think about each note, but instinctively know how to make beautiful music. The best chess players are like this.
Elite performers constantly look for ways to cultivate the beginner’s mindset.
Chess players who pay attention to the endgame are less likely to get caught up only in the tactics.
The most vulnerable time for a chess player is when they have a big lead.
Poor performers avoid spending time with their mistakes. The best players learn from them through debrief.
Determine in advance where you need to stay hyper-focused.
Temper overconfidence by posing additional in-game challenges for yourself and your team.
Resources Mentioned
Move by Move: Life Lessons on and off the Chessboard* by Maurice Ashley
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
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