As is tradition, Saint Louis Mayor Francis Slay joined us in congratulating the competitors at the 2014 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women's Championship closing ceremony. This year however, the Mayor brought along one of the city's highest honors. After thanking Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield for their support of chess in Saint Louis and their philanthropic efforts throughout the city, Mayor Slay presented Jeanne and Rex with a key to the city of Saint Louis.
Since Jeanne and Rex founded the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis in 2008, the city has become known around the globe as a destination for world class chess events. In fact, the United States Senate recently passed Senate Resolution 102, recognizing Saint Louis as the nation's chess capital.
Mayor Slay stressed the importance of innovative approaches to education, and recognized Jeanne and Rex for their efforts to implement chess programs in schools throughout the greater Saint Louis area. Just moments before, Jeanne announced an agreement between the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and the Internet Chess Club to provide a free 1-year ICC membership to all K-8 students in the city of Saint Louis.
For more information about ICC memberships for Saint Louis students, please contact the Saint Louis Chess Club at (314) 361-2437 or info@saintlouischessclub.org.
