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By Brian Jerauld
This article was originally published on stlpublicradio.org on April 23.
For six years, St. Louis has been steadily pumping its proverbial chess muscle.
There is, perhaps, no better way to gauge the strength of the city than to count the number of tough guys around here. The Chess Club and Scholastic Center opened in 2008 as a hopeful magnet to the game, and a year later GM Ben Finegold rode into town as the city’s very first Grandmaster. Today, backed by the murderer’s row of the Webster University collegiate team - including 2014 U.S. Championship-hopeful GM Ray Robson - St. Louis is home to 11 Grandmasters.
The magnet, indeed, is extending its reach internationally. Visiting town is Russian GM Konstantin Landa, who will stop by the Central West End tonight (only) to see what all the hubbub is about - no doubt having heard stories through Lindenwood’s WGM Anna Sharevich, one of his students.
Landa is an established GM, having earned his title in 1995 as a 23-year-old, but he has earned extra stripes in his post-career as a FIDE senior trainer. His coaching resume is impressive, boasting several students that grace the elite lists of the world, including 2008 Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk. He will be at the CCSCSL at 7 p.m., giving a special lecture titled “Improving the Position of your Pieces,” geared toward tournament players.
The number of tough guys is certain to be juiced as we draw nearer the 2014 U.S. Championships, which will begin play on May 8. Already here is GM Varuzhan Akobian, getting settled in the upcoming tournament venue as the club’s current Resident Grandmaster. “Var” is the U.S. No. 5, and was here for last year’s championships; it sounds cliche, but he seems different this time around.
Click here to read the entire article on stlpublicradio.org.
