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Saturday, Jul 23rd from 8:00am - 8:00 pm
Celebrate International Chess Day with Grandmaster Maurice AshleyYou and your family are invited to come celebrate International Chess Day in Columbus, OH on Saturday, July 23, with special guest International Grandmaster Maurice Ashely, the 1st African-American Grandmaster in the world!
Join us for a full day of events that will include workshops, chess-inspired art and poetry, a speed chess tournament, and a simultaneous exhibition in which Grandmaster Ashley will play over 20 people at once! All are welcome to attend regardless of background, chess experience, or skill level! |
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Maurice Ashley lives his passion. Through his love for chess, he not only made history as the first African-American Grandmaster in the annals of the game but he has managed to translate his love to others as a three-time national championship coach, author, ESPN commentator, iPhone app designer, puzzle inventor and motivational speaker.
Maurice is well known for providing dynamic live tournament coverage of world class chess competitions and matches. His high-energy, unapologetic and irreverent commentary combines Brooklyn street with a professional ESPN-style sports analysis. He has covered every class of elite event, including the World Chess Championships, the US Chess Championships, the Grand Chess Tour and the legendary Man vs. Machine matches between Garry Kasparov and IBM’s Deep Blue. Traveling the world as an ardent spokesperson of the many character building effects of chess, Maurice consults with universities, schools, chess clubs, executives and celebrities on how chess principles and strategies can be applied to improve business practices and assist with personal growth. Maurice also acts as a master of ceremonies and inspirational speaker at business conferences and high-class chess events. Maurice has received multiple community service awards from city governments, universities and community groups for his work. In recognition of his immense contribution to the game, he was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Brooklyn Technical High School Hall of Fame in 2018. |
Schedule of Events
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8:00am - 8:00pm Chess Explorer
Throughout Columbus Explore all the flavors of chess by attending events throughout the day, including casual chess at Upper Cup Coffee, professional chess at the "Think Like a Grandmaster" workshop, competitive chess at the "Play a Grandmaster" simul, and artistic chess at "Art & Chess in the Park". 8:00am - 9:30am “Chess & Coffee” Mixer Upper Cup Coffee & The 4C, 79-80 Parsons Ave Columbus chess has expanded and evolved culturally in part due to the strong presence of chess players at Upper Cup Coffee in Olde Towne East. Join Maurice Ashley for some free coffee and great conversation about the life of a grandmaster. 10:00am - 11:30am “Think Like a Grandmaster” Chess Workshop Main Library, Room 2B, 96 S. Grant Ave. Mastery requires talent and discipline. Get a glimpse into the mind of a grandmaster during this technical workshop that will focus on chess theory, including some of Maurice Ashley's greatest moments in his chess career. This workshop will focus on material suitable for those at an intermediate and higher level (ex. rating 1600+), as discussions will be fast paced based on a solid understanding of chess fundamentals (openings, principles, tactics, strategy, etc.) 2:00pm - 3:00pm “Journey to Mastery” Keynote & Panel Main Library, Reading Room, 96 S. Grant Ave. Maurice Ashley has a fascinating story about his journey to becoming the first (and currently only) African American chess grandmaster. Join us for a keynote speech, panel discussion, and brief Q&A to learn more about how chess has been Maurice Ashley's passport to the world! |
3:00pm - 4:00pm “Play a Grandmaster” Simultaneous Exhibition
Main Library, Reading Room, 96 S. Grant Ave. Chess often attracts those who enjoy challenging and stretching themselves mentally. Come witness Maurice Ashley play over 20 people at once, and we'll see whose Kings will remain standing when the dust settles! Preference for participation will be given to youth. 4:00pm - 6:00pm “Art & Chess in the Park” Activities & Tournament MPACC Box Park, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave. Chess is one of the most popular topics of expression all around the world. In fact, Cleveland is home to the largest collection of chess books (over 30,000+) in the world! Experience the creative and artistic side of chess through fun & immersive art activities, while enjoying music and a speed chess in the park. 4:00pm - 6:00pm “Test Your Might” Speed Chess Tournament MPACC Box Park, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave. Tournaments are one of the greatest ways to test your skills, meet new people, and learn more about yourself. Give thanks for your victories and celebrate the lessons learned through loss during this experience. If you've never played in a tournament before, it's like regular play except you track results and use a clock to manage your time. Depending on the sign-ups, we'll have 2 sections (rated and unrated). $10 entry fee. 6:00pm - 8:00 pm “Chess & Poetry” Open Mic MPACC Box Park, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave. Chess was one of the most popular poetry subjects in the 1400-1700s, due to its complexity and ability to inspire people to reflect on the metaphorical similarities with life. Listen and share emotional expression through spoken word as we embark into the world of chessic poetry! |
