U.S. Census Bureau Black History Month Feature for February 26

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily Black History Month feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26: MAURICE ASHLEY

Profile America for the 26th day of Black History Month.  When Maurice Ashley was 14, he was soundly beaten in a pickup game of chess.  He got a paperback book on the game, intending to learn a trick or two.  Instead,  he was stunned by the beauty and complexity of chess.  Since then, he has focused his life on the game playing, studying, coaching, and being an ambassador for chess.  In 1999, Maurice Ashley reached his goal of becoming an International Grandmaster — one of only 470 in the world at the time and the first African-American to achieve the distinction. Nearly 8 million Americans enjoy the intellectual challenge of chess each year, close to a million of them playing at least twice a week.  This special edition of Profile America is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.  

Sources: www.expert-chess-strategies.com/chess-grandmasters.html

www.mauriceashley.com/

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 1203

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  For further information, contact Rick Reed:  301-763-2812; fax: 301-763-3762; or e-mail: rreed-at-census.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau