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Chess Club Delivers Major League, All-Pro Sports Opening for St. Louis

By on May 09, 2009 in

By Travis H. Brown

They called him one of the best closers of all time in St. Louis Cardinals history. But today, his opening game was hard enough – on the chess board.

Over his major league baseball career as a hard-throwing reliever, Todd Worrell has pitched over 256 saves. Today, celebrating the opening of the U.S. Chess Championship, Worrell came out of the bull-pen with his aggressive, high-speed burners. However, this time it was a bishop screaming off the mound.

Chess Talk with IM John Watson, Rex Sinquefield and Tony Rich

By on May 05, 2009 in

Tune-in for Chess Talk with IM John Watson on ICC Chess.FM. John's weekly 60+ minute show will feature an interview with leading chess personalities. All shows run on demand for members after airing.

In this episode (Tue., May 5), joining John on the second of his U.S. Chess Championship Specials will be Rex Sinquefield and Tony Rich of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis.

Weekend wrap-up, upcoming events for U.S. Chess Championship

By on May 04, 2009 in

Tony Rich, Director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, talks about the weekend's events with Grand Master Jennifer Shahade over a quick but brutal game of chess. Shahade played a simul at the St. Louis Science Center, and Chess Club members pitched in to paint a St. Louis Metro Bus (thanks to Metro Arts in Transit) encouraging everyone to visit the Club May 7-17 for the 2009 US Chess Championship.

Bus Painting Event

By on May 03, 2009 in

When reusing images please credit: Betsy Dynako, Official Event Photographer

Puttin on the Blitz

By on May 03, 2009 in

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center was packed for their first free blitz tournament and movie night featuring the classic "Searching for Bobby Fischer". Free chips and soda were available for all club members.

potb200905-01 "I love "Searching for Bobby Fischer", commented an enthusiastic young club member. The movie chronicles 7-year old chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin's quest to become a national scholastics championship. It's not all fun and games as Josh deals with pressure from parents and coaches, the pros and cons of sandbagging and learning what it takes to be a true champion in all phases of life. "Searching for Bobby Fischer" is a must-see for all chess players, especially if you've played scholastic chess or have a child interested in chess.

Saint Louis Open 2009 Recap

By on May 03, 2009 in

slo200905-01 On April 25th and 26th, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis played host to the 2009 Saint Louis Open. For the past few years, this prestigious event has been forced to use the rather unassuming conference room at a no frills hotel because of cost constraints. This year saw this high class event finally get the proper venue it deserves, and Missouri chess players showed their support for the change. While some common names were missing from the list of registrants, the event also managed to bring in some unfamiliar names that were hopefully dazzled by the venue and will continue to support the chess endeavors of the CCSCSL and its tournament aspirations. Overall, the event brought in 51 paid entries and the event was extremely well run by the very competent TD staff of Ed Baur and MCA president Thomas Rehmeier.

This Just In

By on May 03, 2009 in

As May 7th inches closer and closer, an aura of anticipation and excitement has been steadily building around the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Beginners and Masters alike are teeming with enthusiasm, and many of them for different reasons. Whether it is the chance to watch live analysis by top class GMs , observe some of the most competitive chess games ever played in Saint Louis, or the opportunity to meet some of the brightest chess minds in the United States, the 2009 U.S.

Did you know: Chess in Schools

By on May 03, 2009 in

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center is always working to promote scholastic chess as an educational tool. In an effort to greater understand curricular chess, it is good to look to current examples as to what chess can be in an educational setting. This month, we'll take a quick look at Chess in the Schools, the New York City based organization that brings chess to thousands of students each year.

2009 U.S. Chess Championship

By on May 03, 2009 in

CCSCSL is proud to present the U.S. Chess Championships tournament in May 2009.
The invitations have been sent and the RSVP's received. The player listing (by rank) is as follows:

Some of the nation’s best and best-known players are competing in the field of 24 competing for more than $200,000 in prize money. Included on that list will be St. Louisan Charles Lawton, the only African-American contestant but also a man who relishes the opportunity to compete on a grand stage.