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A 501(c)(3) educational organization
The Saint Louis Chess Club (STLCC) is a 6,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art chess center featuring a world-class tournament playing hall, classroom, library, and casual play area. But we’re more than just a community center.
It is the mission of the Saint Louis Chess Club, an educational organization, to maintain a formal program of instruction to teach the game of chess and to promote and support its educational program through community outreach and local and national partnerships to increase the awareness of the educational value of chess.
As a member-based community center, we welcome players of all levels—from beginners to grandmasters—to enjoy casual play, free classes, weekly tournaments, private chess lessons, and more. With over 2,000 active members and memberships starting at just $15/month, there’s a place for everyone to grow their game.
Designated by Congress in 2014, the Saint Louis Chess Club stands at the heart of American chess. At the highest levels, we promote chess by hosting all major U.S. Championship events and world-class matches, ensuring Saint Louis remains the epicenter of competitive chess. Whether you’re learning, competing, or just enjoying the game, the Saint Louis Chess Club is your home for chess
Active Members
SQFT. COMMUNITY CENTER
tournaments hosted
Founded in 2008, the Saint Louis Chess Club has rapidly become a cornerstone of the chess community, both locally and nationally. With a mission to promote chess as an educational tool and competitive sport, the club has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, educational programs, and community events. Its rich history is marked by a commitment to fostering a love of the game, inspiring players of all ages and skill levels, and establishing St Louis as a global chess hub.
The Saint Louis Chess Club is located in the Central West End neighborhood of St Louis, Missouri, USA. The World Chess Hall of Fame is located directly across the street, with a 20 foot King Piece out front.
The Central West End (CWE) is an urban, hip and trendy one-stop-shopping and dining Mecca for many. Be it an afternoon strolling down the historic Central West End streets, admiring both shop windows and beautifully landscaped front yards or simply taking in a movie at the Chase Park Plaza’s comfortable movie house, the Central West End seems to have it all.
From Washington Avenue bordering on the North and Forest Park Parkway on the South, the Euclid Avenue corridor is one that offers the shopper, the diner, the gallery-viewer, the wine enthusiast and just about any other one-of-a-kind seeker, a bit of everything under one neighborhood.
As the name alludes, the Central West End is one of the most “centrally located” neighborhoods with easy access from highways, many recognizable local roads and public transportation.
The Saint Louis Chess Club is expanding its world-class facility in the Central West End, growing into a 30,000-square-foot campus that includes a larger Chess Club, Kingside Diner, and upgraded community spaces. The expansion will feature new classrooms, improved tournament areas, enhanced accessibility, and a state-of-the-art video production studio for live streaming. With support from local partners, this project will strengthen St Louis’ reputation as America’s Chess Capital, allowing for larger events, greater community engagement, and an even bigger impact on the chess world.
