The Life-Changing Magic of Chess: A Beginner's Guide with Grandmaster Maurice Ashley

Experience The Life-Changing Magic of Chess, a beginner's guide with secrets from Grandmaster Maurice Ashley!


After making history as the chess world's first Black Grandmaster, Maurice Ashley went on to become a three-time national championship coach and commentator. Now he's sharing his passion for chess with YOU!

Discover more about Maurice's story as he recounts his journey from Jamaica to New York to the world stage where he has ranked among the best in the game. Then find your own chess magic as he shows you basic skills like how each piece moves and how to make a start.

When you're ready, follow along with Maurice's step-by-step instructions for

• Capturing
• Checkmates
• Castling
• Sacrificing
• …and more!

Fun-filled, graphic-novel inspired illustrations from Denis Angelov bring Maurice’s tips to life. It’s the perfect beginner’s guide to chess for kids.

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Life-Changing Magic Series
The Life-Changing Magic of Skateboarding by Sky Brown and illustrator Shaw Davidson
The Life-Changing Magic of Chess by Maurice Ashley and illustrator Denis Angelov
The Life-Changing Magic of Baking by Joy Wilson and illustrator Tatiana Kamshilina
The Life-Changing Magic of Druming by Nandi Bushnell and illustrator Andrea Stegmaier

Maurice Ashley lives his passion. Through his love for chess, he not only made history as the first Black 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 and motivational speaker. The Life-Changing Magic of Chess is his first book for children. Denis Angelov is a children’s book illustrator who lives in Sofia, Bulgaria. He loves mixing all sorts of media in his work, including gouache, oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolors, and more. If it’s within arm’s reach while he’s drawing, it will most likely end up in the final illustration in some way! Denis also works with lots of wonky shapes and skewed perspectives to add charm and character.