Chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley on why mistakes are our greatest teachers

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Dec 19, 2023

In this chat, chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley, the first African-American to achieve this title, shares invaluable lessons from his journey. He discusses how mistakes can be powerful teachers, shaping resilience and strategy both in chess and life. Maurice dives into his competitive childhood in Jamaica, the importance of respecting opponents, and the myths surrounding chess mastery. He also highlights the role of intuition and the significance of learning from failures, advocating for collaboration between humans and technology in the game.

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ANECDOTE

Ashley's Childhood and Family Values

Maurice Ashley's family includes a kickboxing world champion and the oldest boxing world champion.
His grandmother instilled values of hard work, focus, and striving for excellence while raising them in poverty.

ANECDOTE

Grandmother's Advice

Ashley remembered his grandmother's advice, "jack of all trades, master of none," while ironing his shirt before a crucial chess match.
This realization of her loving intent led him to win and achieve his grandmaster dream.

ADVICE

Finding Your Passion

Pursue what you can't help but do; if you overthink your passion, you haven't found it yet.
True passions consume your thoughts, dreams, and actions.

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