The Childhood and Competitive Household

Maurice Ashley, the first African American chess grandmaster, shares his childhood growing up in Jamaica in a competitive household. His brother is a three-time world champion kickboxer, and his sister is a six-time world champion boxer. Maurice emphasizes the importance of focus and determination, which were instilled in him by his grandmother who raised him and his siblings. Despite living in poverty, his mother left Jamaica to provide her children with better opportunities. Maurice reflects on the impact of his grandmother's teachings on his journey to becoming a grandmaster.