Event Type: Special Event

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

Attend a complimentary artist talk with Emmy Award-winning Costume Designer and Entrepreneur Marina Toybina at Steinberg Auditorium at Washington University! Marina will discuss her professional journey, how chess inspires her creative process, and fully explore her chess piece costume designs featured in Katy Perry’s iconic Super Bowl XLIX halftime performance, currently featured in WCHOF’s exhibition, Sound Moves: Where Music Meets Chess. A Q&A session will follow, and guests are invited to mix and mingle with cocktails and enjoy open chess play following the talk.

 

Emmy Award-winning and record-breaking Costume Designer Marina Toybina is well known for her exceptional work in entertainment. Born in Moscow, Russia, Toybina immigrated to the United States at age 11. After graduating high school in Phoenix, AZ, she attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and launched a signature line called GLAZA. Toybina’s creations are now seen worldwide in a variety of mediums, including television’s The Masked Singer, So You Think You Can Dance, and The X Factor US; award shows including The Grammys, Billboard Awards, BET Awards, and Country Music Association; and collaborated with celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, and Juliette Lewis.

 

Please RSVP to [email protected]

Saturday, Oct 14 – 3:00 pm

Shop small and save big with 20% off all regular-priced merchandise in-store at Q Boutique during every open Saturday and Sunday in December to celebrate the Central West End Window Walk. Visit Q Boutique for a curated selection of stocking stuffers, unique jewelry, clever kids’ games, custom accessories, quirky greeting cards, books for all ages, and a variety of locally-made goods juxtaposed with the region’s best selection of chess sets. Whether you’re searching for presents for a hard-to-shop-for friend or a last-minute addition to your holiday list, Q Boutique makes it easy to be a gift-giving guru. Purchases at Q Boutique are tax-free, benefiting the exhibitions and programs of the World Chess Hall of Fame.

Sunday, Dec 31 – 12:00 am

Shop small and save big with 20% off all regular-priced merchandise in-store at Q Boutique during every open Saturday and Sunday in December to celebrate the Central West End Window Walk. Visit Q Boutique for a curated selection of stocking stuffers, unique jewelry, clever kids’ games, custom accessories, quirky greeting cards, books for all ages, and a variety of locally-made goods juxtaposed with the region’s best selection of chess sets. Whether you’re searching for presents for a hard-to-shop-for friend or a last-minute addition to your holiday list, Q Boutique makes it easy to be a gift-giving guru. Purchases at Q Boutique are tax-free, benefiting the exhibitions and programs of the World Chess Hall of Fame.

Saturday, Dec 30 – 12:00 am