[imagefield_assist|fid=14656|preset=fullsize|title=Rex Sinquefield has been awarded the Gold Koltanowski Award each of the past three years for his work in promoting chess at both the local and national level.|desc=|link=none|origsize=|align=left|width=700|height=549]
Chess Club founder Rex Sinquefield will be joining Saint Louis Cardinal great Jim Edmonds and a host of other notable athletes, coaches and sports professionals as the newest class of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. A total of fifteen inductees, one high school program and one university program will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield, Mo.
A press release from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame said that they have taken the lead of the International Olympic Committee, which recognizes chess as a sport.
"Saint Louis’ Rex Sinquefield founded the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, a venue where newcomers can learn and seasoned veterans can compete in local and national and international tournaments," the release states. "In 2011, the Sinquefields opened the World Chess Hall of Fame. The historic 15,900-square-foot building features displays of artifacts from the permanent collection as well as exhibitions highlighting the great players, historic games and the rich cultural history of chess. Rex is making Saint Louis the Chess Capital of the World."
In 2009, 2010 and 2011, Sinquefield won the Gold Koltanowski Award, given to the person who does the most to further chess in the U.S. each year.
The Enshrinement events will kick-off with a reception on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at the Hall of Fame from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Enshrinement Ceremonies will get underway at 4 p.m. with a reception at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, with the banquet immediately afterwards.
For additional information, visit the Hall of Fame website at www.MoSportsHallOfFame.com.
