The Tim Ferriss Show
#449: Grandmaster Maurice Ashley — The Path and Strategies of World-Class Mastery
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Teaching chess involves instilling passion and love for the game in students.
- Engaging with puzzles and exercises on online platforms enhances analytical and strategic thinking in chess players.
- Mental and physical preparation are crucial for becoming a competent chess player.
- Reading biographies of successful individuals offers inspiration and guidance on personal journeys.
Deep dives
Diving into Chess Coaching and Player Development
Coaching chess involves fostering a love for the game and instilling passion in students. The speaker shares experiences with successful teams like the Raging Rooks and the Dark Knights. Teaching chess requires not only setting goals but also conveying the teacher's enthusiasm for the game. The perennial fascination of chess and the passionate teaching approach help draw students into the game.
Tips for Starting Chess Enthusiasts
For beginners interested in chess, online resources like Chess.com and Lichess.org offer tutorials, puzzles, and opportunities to play against a global community. Puzzle exercises and online platforms provide avenues for learning and improving chess skills. Engaging with puzzles and chess exercises builds analytical thinking and strategic planning abilities.
Building Mental and Physical Stamina for Chess
Becoming a competent chess player requires both mental and physical preparation. Engaging in physical exercises like running, swimming, or biking helps build endurance for long chess matches. Mental readiness is fostered through meditation, focusing on opponent strategies, and studying game databases for insights on top players' moves.
Chess Mastery and Player Growth
Achieving grandmaster status can evoke mixed emotions, from elation to a sense of emptiness post-achievement. Becoming a grandmaster marks the fulfillment of a lifelong dream but can lead to a search for new challenges and goals. Reflecting on the beauty of chess and continuous learning enriches the chess player's journey beyond achieving titles.
Exploring Chess Resources for Learning
Accessible online platforms and physical books offer ample resources for aspiring chess players. Recommended readings like the 'Winning Chess' series by Yasser Seirawan provide lucid explanations of strategies and tactics. Biographies of top chess players can offer insights into the minds and approaches of grandmasters, further enriching one's chess knowledge and skills.
The Power of Biographies in Inspiring Success
Reading biographies of great individuals provides a secret recipe for success by uncovering their paths to mastery and resilience in facing obstacles. The speaker shares the impact of reading Jackie Robinson's autobiography while pursuing grandmaster status in chess, finding inspiration in Robinson's dignity in the face of racial adversity. The power of biographies lies in learning from others' experiences, offering guidance and motivation on personal journeys.
Frederick Douglass: A Symbol of Resilience and Strength
The discussion shifts to the remarkable journey of Frederick Douglass, underscoring his transformation from a slave to a prominent figure advocating for human liberty. The speaker highlights Douglass's ability to self-educate, endure hardships, and champion the cause of freedom with grace and determination. Douglass's biography serves as a source of profound inspiration and admiration, emphasizing the enduring impact of his resilience.
Challenges in Addressing Historical Inequities and Social Unrest
The podcast delves into the complexity of addressing historical inequities and societal unrest, reflecting on America's struggle to overcome deep-seated issues like systemic racism. Through historical perspectives and current events, the speaker discusses how legislation alone cannot eradicate social injustices, emphasizing the need for genuine societal change and majority support to drive meaningful progress. The conversation underscores the importance of cultural shifts, education reform, and community efforts in addressing persistent challenges for a more equitable future.
Grandmaster Maurice Ashley — The Path and Strategies of World-Class Mastery | Brought to you by Helix Sleep, ExpressVPN, and Athletic Greens.
Maurice Ashley (@MauriceAshley) made history in 1999 when he became the first African-American chess Grandmaster. He is a three-time national championship coach, an author, ESPN commentator, iPhone app designer, puzzle inventor, and motivational speaker.
Maurice is well known for providing dynamic live tournament coverage of world-class chess competitions and matches. His high-energy, unapologetic, and irreverent commentary combines Brooklyn street smarts with professional ESPN-style sports analysis. He has covered every class of elite event, including the World Chess Championships, the US Chess Championships, the Grand Chess Tour, and the legendary “man vs. machine” matches between Garry Kasparov and IBM’s Deep Blue.
Traveling the world as an ardent spokesperson for the many character-building effects of chess, Maurice consults with universities, schools, chess clubs, executives, and celebrities on how chess principles and strategies can be applied to improve business practices and assist with personal growth. Maurice also acts as a master of ceremonies and inspirational speaker at business conferences and high-class chess events.
Maurice has received multiple community service awards from city governments, universities, and community groups for his work. In recognition of his immense contribution to the game, he was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Brooklyn Technical High School Hall of Fame in 2018.
This podcast episode is brought to you by Helix Sleep! Helix was selected as the #1 best overall mattress pick of 2020 by GQ magazine, Wired, Apartment Therapy, and many others. With Helix, there’s a specific mattress for each and everybody’s unique taste. Just take their quiz—only two minutes to complete—that matches your body type and sleep preferences to the perfect mattress for you. They have a 10-year warranty, and you get to try it out for a hundred nights, risk free. They’ll even pick it up from you if you don’t love it. And now, to my dear listeners, Helix is offering up to 200 dollars off all mattress orders plus two free pillows at HelixSleep.com/TIM.
*
This episode is also brought to you by ExpressVPN. I’ve been using ExpressVPN since last summer to make sure that my data is secure and encrypted, without slowing my Internet speed. If you ever use public Wi-Fi at, say, a hotel or a coffee shop, where I often work and as many of my listeners do, you’re often sending data over an open network, meaning no encryption at all.
A great way to ensure that all of your data is encrypted and can’t be easily read by hackers is by using ExpressVPN. All you need to do is download the ExpressVPN app on your computer or smartphone and then use the Internet just as you normally would. You click one button in the ExpressVPN app to secure 100% of your network data. Use my link ExpressVPN.com/Tim today and get an extra three months free on a one-year package!
*
This podcast is also brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually Athletic Greens, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system.
As a listener of The Tim Ferriss Show, you’ll get a free 20-count travel pack (valued at $79) with your first order at AthleticGreens.com/tim.
***
If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests.
For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.
Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.
For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.
Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Please fill out the form at tim.blog/sponsor.
Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.
Follow Tim:
Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss
Instagram: instagram.com/timferriss
Facebook: facebook.com/timferriss
YouTube: youtube.com/timferriss
Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
