Program Type: Special Event

You’re invited to the opening reception of Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition on August 7, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. Step into a vibrant gallery filled with rare chess sets, expert insights, and playable variants that challenge the traditional rules—from alternate starting positions to multi-player boards.

Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition is an exciting, interactive exhibition exploring the rich history of chess and the imaginative ways it has been reinvented around the world. Sit down, learn the moves, and play the games yourself in dynamic spaces designed for hands-on discovery and live programming with games created by chess legends such as World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer, Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan and Klara and Laszló Polgar! Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the board, this is your chance to experience chess like never before!

Free admission and complimentary cocktails and valet.

RSVPs required. Please email [email protected] for more information or to RSVP.

Strategy Across the Board is the Saint Louis Chess Club’s and World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ premier annual fundraising event, dedicated to expanding the impact of chess education and community outreach in the Saint Louis region, bringing together chess enthusiasts, community leaders, and supporters for an evening of strategy, inspiration, and giving back. 

This year’s theme is “Master of the Arts,” featuring Saint Louis-based Artists Stan Chisholm, Michael Drummond, Charlie Houska and Yuko Suga. Enjoy sublime music from Co-Emcees and World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries Music Directors Brian Owens and Brian Woods, mixing and mingling during cocktail hour, dinner, and a live auction. Black tie optional.

Proceeds directly fund the Club’s Scholastic Chess Programs, teaching critical thinking, problem-solving, and life skills to students of all ages, as well as the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ exhibitions, Music Series, and community programming. Join us and help make a lasting difference—one move at a time!

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield & Rex Sinquefield and Edward Jones, Event Co-Chairs Eddie & Kathy Williams, and Auctioneer Fletcher Lane.

Join us for a special edition of the Saint Louis Chess Club’s “Ladies’ Knight” program, led by Woman Grandmaster Thalia Cervantes. Thalia will lead a lesson, and WCHOF Curator Shannon Bailey will speak about our newest exhibition, Charles Houska: Master of Play! This program is for women and girls of all ages, open to all skill levels, and complimentary for STLCC and WCHOF members. Refreshments provided.

Celebrate 314 Day in Saint Louis chess-style with a sale, refreshments, and more! In the Q Boutique, select chess items are just $3.14 each from March 14-16 (in-store only).

Visit the World Chess Hall of Fame’s exhibitions, “Paws and Pawns: Exploring Animal Chess Sets“ and “Crown Jewels: Donation Highlights,” with complimentary admission. The Saint Louis Chess Club will showcase the American Cup from March 15-16 with viewing parties and online coverage.

Join us for refreshments and fun activities, including STL-themed coloring sheets! Stop by to watch the exciting American Cup tournament at the Saint Louis Chess Club while enjoying complimentary desserts and refreshments.

BROWSE 314 DAY SALE!

(In-Store Only)


BROWSE 314 DAY MERCHANDISE

---

4652 Maryland Avenue

Saint Louis, MO 63108 

[email protected] | 314-367-WCHF (9243)

A real-life “Queen’s Gambit,” this captivating memoir tells the story of one of the most renowned women in chess history. Born to a poor Jewish family in Cold War Budapest, Susan Polgar would become the highest-rated female chess player on the planet and the first woman to earn the men’s Grandmaster title — chess’ highest designation.

Doors at 6:00 p.m.

Event at 7:00 p.m.

Join us for the opening reception of Paws and Pawns: Exploring Animal Chess Sets, on Thursday, January 30, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with complimentary admission, valet, and refreshments. 

Paws and Pawns: Exploring Animal Chess Sets displays a menagerie of animal-themed chess sets from around the world, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the animal kingdom to chess artists. Many of these are from the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, while others are on loan from artists, members of Chess Collectors International, and local collectors.

Artists have taken inspiration from the natural world to reinterpret familiar chess pieces for centuries. Some draw on an animal’s reputation to reimagine it as a chess piece—regal lions and powerful Tyrannosaurus rexes, known as the kings of the jungle and dinosaurs respectively, appear as rulers in some sets. In other cases, artists subvert expectations, elevating meek or delicate creatures like mice or frogs to powerful players when they step—or hop—onto the chess board. Though the animal kingdom is known for conflict between predator and prey, many of the sets feature humorous perspectives, showcasing pieces inspired by beloved pets or cartoon-like versions of beasts of the wild. Other sets serve as splendid reminders of the spectacular diversity of wildlife in a specific location like the ocean or a jungle.

RSVPs are recommended. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Thursday, January 30- 5:00

Celebrate the accomplishments of the 2024 World Chess Hall of Fame Inductees at a special ceremony featuring appearances by Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Nana Alexandria and WGM Irina Levitina. International Master Georgi Orlov and Nick Orlov will honor inductee WGM Elena Donaldson-Akhmilovskaya.

In addition to Alexandria, Donaldson-Akhmilovskaya, and Levitina, we are honoring:

• Grandmaster (GM) Efim Geller – View Profile
• GM Robert Hübner – View Profile
• World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik – View Profile
• GM Fridrik Olafsson – View Profile
• GM Oscar Panno – View Profile
• GM Lev Polugaevsky – View Profile
• Women’s World Chess Champion Chen Zhu – View Profile
• WGM Nana Alexandria – View Profile
• WGM Elena Donaldson-Akhmilovskaya – View Profile
• WGM Irina Levitina  – View Profile

Representatives of the International Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs, or FIDE) nominate and select new candidates for induction into the World Chess Hall of Fame. Members of the World Chess Hall of Fame are chosen for their total contribution to the sport. Players and others who have made an impact as authors, journalists, organizers, and in other ways are eligible for induction.

Event Details:

• Date and Time: Tuesday, Oct 29 – 5:00 PM.
• Location: The Zodiac Room at the Chase Park Plaza
• Complimentary valet, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres will be available before the ceremony.

RSVP deadline extended!

Please RSVP by emailing us at [email protected]. Tuesday, Oct 29 – 5:00 pm

Meet and mingle with Grandmasters Levon Aronian and Leinier Domínguez before they battle it out with Chemical Warfare, an artistic chess set featured in our exhibition Painted Pieces: Art Chess from Purling London. The enclosed, illuminated chess set by artist Tony Raymonzrek requires players to wear gas masks and gloves while making moves, plus the added option of pressing a button to instantly eliminate your opponent by filling the chamber with smoke. Raymonzrek uses this unique installation to raise awareness of the competition for scarce resources and the potential to engage in extreme tactics.

Levon Grigori Aronian is an Armenian chess Grandmaster. On the March 2014 FIDE rating list, he was ranked number two in the world and had an Elo rating of 2830, making him the fourth highest rated player in history.

Leinier Domínguez Pérez is a Cuban chess Grandmaster. He competed in the FIDE World Chess Championship in 2002 and 2004, and the FIDE World Cup in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. Domínguez Pérez was world champion in blitz chess in 2008.

Free Admission. Reservations recommended. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments provided.

For more information or to reserve a spot please email: [email protected]. Metered on-street parking is available, as well as paid lots adjacent to Kingside Diner and at the Schlafly branch of the St. Louis Public Library.

Thursday, Sep 13 – 6:30 pm

On August 1, join us for the opening ceremony of the 2017 Sinquefield Cup and unveiling of the winning design from Pinned! A Designer Chess Challenge.

An unforgettable night of fashion, chess, and music, featuring national DJ and fashion designer Timo Weiland.

When: Tuesday, August 1

6 PM Cocktail Hour

7 PM Evening Program

After Party to Follow

Where: Windows on Washington 

1601 Washington Ave., Saint Louis, MO

Tickets: $75

SOLD OUT!

Tuesday, Aug 1 – 6:00 pm