Check Please!
US Chess, US Chess 50th Anniversary Mugs,1989, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Maker unknown, Rocks Glasses, Date unknown, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Maker unknown, Chessboard TV Tray, Date unknown, Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame Maker unknown, Rocks Glasses, c. 1970s, Collection of the World Chess Hall […]
Pawns & Passports: Chess Sets from Around the Globe
Pawns & Passports: Chess Sets from Around the Globe June 3, 2021-January 30, 2022Curated by Emily Allred Overview: In September of 2021, the WCHOF will celebrate our tenth anniversary in Saint Louis. When the institution moved from Miami to Saint Louis, it already boasted a collection of over 163 chess sets. However, through the generosity […]
Keith Haring: Radiant Gambit
Keith Haring: Radiant Gambit features artwork by Haring, a world-renowned pop artist known for his art that proliferated in the New York subway system during the early 1980s. The exhibition includes a never-before-seen private collection of Haring’s works and photographs of the artist, bespoke street art chess sets from Purling London and newly-commissioned pieces by […]
Masterminds: Chess Prodigies
Masterminds: Chess Prodigies is an exhibition that tells the stories of notable chess prodigies including Bobby Fischer, World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and the Polgar sisters. Through photographs, videos and mementos of important chess matches and tournaments from the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, visitors will learn more about these talented young players […]
2020 Cairns Cup Exhibition
Organized for the second Cairns Cup, this exhibition contains highlights related to women’s chess from the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF). Among the artifacts are objects related to important moments in women’s chess history, including Women’s World Chess Championships, Women’s Chess Olympiads, and many U.S. national championships held at the Saint […]
Power in Check: Chess and the American Presidency
Power in Check: Chess and the American Presidency showcases a variety of politically-themed chess sets from the World Chess Hall of Fame’s permanent collection. This redux of 2012’s exhibition offers a look at how the “royal game” of chess has fascinated American presidents for over 200 years. Chess has influenced the American presidency since the administration […]
Drawn Games: Chess Posters from Around the World
Drawn Games: Chess Posters from Around the World features posters celebrating important chess tournaments, events and championships as well as the placement of the game in movies, concerts and more. Highlights include posters from Bobby Fischer’s 1972 World Chess Championship Match, Op-art work by Victor Vasarely and chess-themed promotional designs for Dave Matthews Band. Drawn Games: […]
Dare to Know: Chess in the Age of Reason
Dare to Know: Chess in the Age of Reason showcases numerous chess sets, books, artwork, and other artifacts representing Enlightenment centers in Europe and the United States. Chess sets belonging to famous historical figures from the era, including Catherine the Great and Madame Tussaud, will be on view alongside humble playing sets and a display related […]
Ground Control: A Journey Through Chess and Space
Ground Control: A Journey Through Chess and Space explores space-themed chess sets and significant chess events from the year 1969, in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Highlights of this exhibition include Star Wars, Star Trek, and other pop-culture-themed chess sets from the World Chess Hall of Fame’s permanent collection as well as […]
A Beautiful Game
A Beautiful Game both showcases lovely artifacts from the World Chess Hall of Fame collection—chess-inspired beauty products, photographs, posters, and advertisements—and illustrates how the sophistication and brilliance of the game have been celebrated and revered in chess and popular culture. The exhibition also highlights new, interactive artwork by chess champion and author Jennifer Shahade as well […]
