Playing in the Dark: A Collision of Art and Chess

Saturday, October 3

2:00 – 6:00 pm, Free admission

Along with Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis' fall exhibition, For the blind man in the dark room looking for the black cat that isn’t there, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis invite visitors to watch and play live chess matches with Grand Masters from the U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, which takes place October 3-13 at the Chess Club.

Inspired by the Contemporary’s exhibition, which explores the speculative nature of knowledge and insists on the importance of curiosity and the things we don’t understand, the day-long event will celebrate the game that has puzzled players for centuries. Anna Zatonskih, the defending U.S. Women’s champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, will begin the day by simultaneously playing against five opponents while blindfolded. Additionally, Jennifer Shahade, Women’s Grandmaster and tournament chair, will host hulachess in the Contemporary’s courtyard, an event based on a video installation she created with Daniel Meirom of DimMak Films.

Spectators are welcome, and anyone can sign up to participate in a simultaneous exhibition or a bounty blitz tournament, with prizes for defeating any of the woman Masters, by clicking here to contact us