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ReThinking

Chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley on why mistakes are our greatest teachers

Dec 19, 2023
In this engaging discussion, Maurice Ashley, the first African-American chess grandmaster and acclaimed coach, shares profound insights about the journey of learning through failure. He emphasizes respecting opponents and the emotional resilience required in both chess and life. Maurice reflects on transformative lessons from his childhood, the critical role of intuition in the game, and the value of personalized coaching techniques. His unique perspective highlights how mistakes can lead to personal growth and mastery.
38:52

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Mistakes in chess are valuable learning opportunities and can be seen as the greatest teachers.
  • Understanding the principles behind moves and studying the endgame are key to accelerating progress in chess and in life.

Deep dives

Maurice Ashley's Competitive Upbringing and Lessons from His Grandmother

Maurice Ashley grew up in Jamaica in a highly competitive household. He and his siblings excelled in their respective sports, with Maurice later becoming a chess grandmaster. Maurice credits his grandmother for instilling in him the values of hard work, focus, and the pursuit of excellence. She emphasized the importance of choosing one area of focus and giving it your all, teaching Maurice the value of determination and dedication. He shares a significant moment when he finally understood the wisdom behind his grandmother's teachings, which led to him achieving his dream of becoming a grandmaster.

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