Maurice Ashley Chess Fellowship Announces 2026 Awardees

Maurice Ashley Chess Fellowship Announces 2026 Awardees

NEW YORK, NY - July 23, 2026 - The Maurice Ashley Chess Fellowship (MACF), established by internationally renowned Chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley in partnership with the US Chess Trust, today announced its 2026 class of recipients. Seven promising young players will receive a combined $31,000 to support tournament participation, coaching, supplies, and other essential expenses as they continue their development and pursue their goals at the highest levels of competitive chess.

Now in its second year, the Fellowship continues GM Ashley’s commitment to expanding access and opportunity for talented young players while addressing the severe underrepresentation of African Americans at the highest levels of chess. GM Ashley and 2025 Fellow recipient GM Brewington Hardaway remain the only two African Americans in the US to have earned the grandmaster title. Fellows receive financial support, mentorship, and access to a growing network designed to help them rise through the ranks.

“Welcoming our second class of Fellows marks an important step in the growth of this program,” says Ashley, who achieved the grandmaster title in 1999. “We are building more than a source of financial support. We are also creating a community around young players with the talent, discipline, and determination to reach the highest levels of the game.”

2026 Fellowship Recipients

 

This year's class includes the Fellowship's first repeat recipient, Ayden Spellman, whose national rating climbed more than 300 points over the past year, a reflection of the sustained growth and dedication the Fellowship was created to support.

 

About the Fellowship

Fellowship funds are administered by the US Chess Trust and restricted to approved chess-related expenses. As part of the program, recipients are also asked to give back in meaningful ways that support the next generation of players. Initial funding for the MACF was seeded by a $20,000 personal contribution from GM Ashley. Ongoing support from donors and sponsors will be critical to the Fellowship’s ability to grow and sustain its mission of leveling the playing field in elite chess.

Fellowship Highlights

1. Financial Support: Covers essential costs such as coaching, tournament fees, travel, and equipment, allowing players to focus on developing their skills.
2. Mentorship: Fellows receive guidance from GM Ashley and program advisers as they navigate competitive and professional chess.
3. Community: Fellows connect with a global network of mentors, peers, and sponsors, enhancing their growth and opening doors to future opportunities.

Administered by US Chess Trust

The US Chess Trust, with its longstanding commitment to chess development, continues to administer the Fellowship, ensuring its lasting impact. The Trust is a 501(c)(3) founded in 1967 and is one of the oldest sports charities in the United States. The MACF awards committee consists of GM Ashley, 5-time US Chess Champion GM Fabiano Caruana, and Candidate Master Rochelle Ballantyne.

Support the Maurice Ashley Chess Fellowship

Sponsors and donors are encouraged to give what they can to the Fellowship to drive its growth and expand its impact on future generations of chess talent. Donations are welcome at https://www.uschesstrust.org/donate/.

Full rules for 2027 applicants will be published on the US Chess Trust website in February 2027. For more information about the Maurice Ashley Chess Fellowship, visit https://www.uschesstrust.org/maurice-ashley-chess-fellowship/.

About Maurice Ashley

Maurice Ashley is a chess grandmaster, commentator, author, and innovator, and the first African American to earn the grandmaster title. Born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, and raised in Brooklyn, he has created new formats and platforms for the game, including the Millionaire Chess Open and Clutch Chess. He was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame in 2016. Learn more at mauriceashley.com.