Maurice Ashley immigrated to New York from Jamaica at the age of twelve, only to be confronted with the harsh realities of urban life. But he found his inspiration for a better life after stumbling upon a chess book and becoming hypnotized by the game. He would eventually break the chess world's color lines by becoming an International Grandmaster in 1999.
Ashley realized that chess strategies could be used as an educational tool to help children avoid the pitfalls often associated with growing up. In this book, he serves up compelling anecdotes about how chess has positively affected young players. He also offers tips on technique, how to make the game fun for children of all ages and levels, and how to overcome the myth that chess isn't cool. Through his guidance, readers will understand how chess strategies can improve a child's mental agility, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Chess for Success is a much-anticipated resource for parents, teachers, counselors, youth workers, and chess lovers.
Chess for Success: Using an Old Game to Build New Strengths in Children and Teens FROM THE PUBLISHER Maurice Ashley immigrated to New York from Jamaica at the age of twelve only to be confronted with the harsh realities of urban life—everything from drug dealers to the lack of resources for after-school programs. But he found his inspiration for a better life after stumbling upon a chess book in the library and becoming hypnotized by the game's rules and philosophy; his dedication would eventually lead him to break the chess world's color lines by becoming an International Grand Master in 1999. During his ascent to chess's pinnacle, Ashley realized that chess strategies could be used as an educational tool to help children avoid the pitfalls often associated with growing up. For years he has used his high profile to inspire future generations of masters through his work as an ESPN chess commentator, through the award-winning CD-ROM Maurice Ashley Teaches Chess, as coach to Harlem's National Championship-winning junior teams, and as founder of the Harlem Chess Center. At last, Ashley shares his insights with the world at large in Chess for Success.
In the book, Ashley recounts his journey through the professional chess world while also serving up compelling and triumphant anecdotes about how chess has positively affected young players. While telling these stories, he offers tips on technique, how to make the game fun for children of all ages and levels, and how to overcome the myth that chess isn't cool. Through his guidance and references to various developmental theories, readers will understand how chess strategies can improve a child's mental agility, concentration, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
A welcome resource for parents, teachers,counselors, youth workers, and chess lovers, Chess for Success is the only book of its kind.
FROM THE CRITICS Library Journal Fresh from Jamaica, the 12-year-old Ashley found New York City pretty rough going. Then he discovered chess and went on to become the first person of color named an International Grand Master. Here he shows how chess can enrich a child's life, boosting creativity, mental agility, and problem-solving. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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