Last Thursday, The Chess Club and Scholastic Center hosted an opening ceremony for the 6th annual U. S. Championships, the most prestigious chess tournament in the nation. Concurrently, the U. S. Senate passed a resolution naming St. Louis the National Chess Capital. Co-founder, Jeanne Sinquefield (not pictured) thanked world-renowed chess players who come here for tournaments as being responsible for the recognition, while Rex Sinquefield, above, credited Jeanne for the initial idea of building a Chess Club in the Central West End. Also pictured above left is Tony Rich, the Chess Club's executive director.
The two-week-long 2014 U. S. Championship features a 12-player round robin and a total prize fund of $172,000; the winner will take home $45,000. Grandmaster Gata Kamsky from NYC is defending his crown. The Women's Championship features a 10-player round robin with a total prize fund of $72,000; the winner will take home $20,000. Grandmaster Irina Krush, also from NYC, is defending her crown for the sixth consecutive year. In addition, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center is offering the $64,000 Fischer Prize to anyone who wins all 11 of their games outright.
Rex Sinquefeld introduced Jeff Rainford, Mayor Francis Slay's Chief of Staff, above, calling him the CEO of St. Louis. (Mayor Slay was not able to attend the ceremony.) Rainford praised the Sinquefields for contributing to the economic development of the city by establishing the Chess Club and Scholastic Center in St. Louis, which Rainford said is helping to redefine the City…"talented people want to be where smart people are."
Jennifer Shahade, left, is on the World Chess Hall of Fame Board and serves as a commentator for the tournaments. Another purpose of the opening celebration was the drawing of lots for tournament play. Each player chose a book (all chess-related) which contained a number. When this photograph was taken, Tatev, right, one of ten women competing in the 2014 U. S. Women's Championship, has just chosen hers.
Another photograph from the evening showing just a small portion of the players, their families, and followers of the tournament. Tournament play is held at 1 p.m. each day except Sundays and Thursdays.Tickets for individual matches are free for members, otherwise $10 admission per day, check the website. The Chess Club and Scholastic Center is hosting a free student weekend May 17-18 and will waive the $10 price for all k-12 students. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 in the Starlight and Zodiac Rooms at the Chase Hotel.