[imagefield_assist|fid=17318|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=Pin from the Seventh American Chess Congress in St. Louis, 1904. Collection of the Missouri History Museum; Photo courtesy World Chess Hall of Fame.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=503|height=310]
This article was originally published on stlpublicradio.org on February 12.
By Mike Wilmering
The chess boom in St. Louis may appear as though it has materialized out of thin air, but the Gateway City has a vibrant chess history.
Chess adds to a rich and developing cultural renaissance in Saint Louis. And as we celebrate our city’s 250th birthday, I think it’s appropriate to take a look at some of the important names, events and places that have helped shaped our ever-growing chess culture.
This column explores the early days of chess in Saint Louis and some notable champions and championships that placed St. Louis at the center of the chess universe.
Although Saint Louis was founded in 1764 and the game was most likely already widespread at the time, chess history in Saint Louis seems to really begin about 100 years later with one man: Max Judd. Judd was born in 1852, and came to the United States when he was still a boy. He settled in Saint Louis in 1873 and would make a name for himself as one of the top players in the country.
Click here to visit stlpublicradio.org to read the full story!
