Gukesh could go down as a GOAT of the game: Maurice Ashley

Maurice Ashley, the first African-American Grandmaster, shares his passion for chess and hopes to inspire future generations.

Maurice Ashley was one of the most familiar faces at the World Chess Championship. The first move was made in each game after these words from him, as he stood between Ding Liren and D. Gukesh: “Let the game begin.”

The American Grandmaster has been a commentator and presenter for major chess events for over three decades, but that isn’t his biggest achievement.

In 1999, he became the first African-American person to become a Grandmaster. Some 25 years later, of the 2000-odd Grandmasters in the world, only four are of African heritage.

Ashley is proud that he is the first African-American Grandmaster but is disappointed that not many have followed in his footsteps. He would like to have the kind of influence on his community – and he is working hard towards his goal by supporting children – what Viswanathan Anand has had on Indian chess.

Ashley comes from a sporting family. His sister Alicia is a former World boxing champion and brother Devon is a former World kick-boxing champion.

“But I never was tempted to be a boxer,” said Ashley in an interview with The Hindu at World Resorts Sentosa. “I fell in love with playing chess and have been enjoying talking about the game.”

His first big assignment as a commentator was the 1995 World championship match between Anand and Garry Kasparov. That match was played at the World Trade Centre. “And the first game was played on September 11,” he said.