Lessons from a Master

Maurice Ashley is the first Black chess grandmaster. He’s also the author of The Life-Changing Magic of Chess. The book presents the basics of chess. Ashley uses his experience with chess to explain them. TFK Kid Reporter Sophia Zhang spoke with him about the game.

Ashley agrees with the book’s title. He says that “chess is absolutely magical and life-changing.” It teaches kids many things. The biggest lesson? “The journey is just as important as the destination,” he says. Don’t try to rush to your goals. There’s a lot to learn along the way.

Ashley hopes the book inspires kids to follow their interests. “If you pursue what you really love, then really good things come from it,” he says.