Missouri Bicentennial Chessboard
News
Published on: May 1, 2022
To celebrate Missouri’s Bicentennial, the World Chess Hall of Fame and Saint Louis Chess Club created the Missouri Bicentennial Chessboard, honoring the state’s history and its role as the Chess Capital of America. This special project highlights Missouri’s chess legacy and commitment to education and community engagement.
The Missouri Bicentennial Chessboard is a life-sized granite chessboard at Deborah Cooper Park on Adrian’s Island in Jefferson City, Missouri, USA, depicting some of the Show-Me State’s most significant people and historical moments. Spearheaded by Saint Louis Chess Campus’ Co-Founder, US Chess Hall of Fame Inductee, and Scout Leader Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, the chessboard is on permanent, public display for everyone to enjoy.
In 2020, she became part of the Missouri Bicentennial Commission, which Governor Mike Parson created in a 2018 Executive Order. Carrie Tergin, the Jefferson City Mayor and Co-Chair of the Missouri Bicentennial Commission, wanted to build a bridge at Deborah Cooper Park to Adrian’s Island to develop the land into a public park. Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield suggested adding a life-sized chessboard to allow students to learn about the state’s history while enjoying themselves outdoors.
On August 9, 2021, the day before people around the state celebrated Missouri’s bicentennial, Sinquefield announced plans for the Missouri Bicentennial Chessboard at a celebration on Adrian’s Island. Later, on May 1, 2022, the life-sized chessboard was unveiled during a beautiful ceremony attended by more than 150 Scout enthusiasts, chess grandmasters, Saint Louis Chess Campus colleagues, and the family of Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield. The program included dedications by Mike Parson, Governor of Missouri; Carrie Tergin, Jefferson City Mayor; and Missouri Bicentennial Commission Co-Chair; and Shannon Bailey, Chief Curator at the World Chess Hall of Fame.
Attendees played a live game on the chessboard, including special guests First Lady Teresa Parson and GM Alejandro Ramírez, coach of the Saint Louis University Chess Team. Contributors also enjoyed commemorative, limited-edition Chessboard replicas, keepsake plates, and collectible coins from the World Chess Hall of Fame’s award-winning gift shop, Q Boutique.
- To download a printable brochure click here!
- To download a printable Missouri Bicentennial Chessboard Educator Packet click here!
In the Press
- 7/28/2022: Scouting Magazine — Checkmate! Eagle Scout’s chess project a win with community
- 8/9/2021: Missouri Times — Missouri officials dedicate Bicentennial Bridge
- 8/8/2021: Fulton Sun — Statewide efforts culminate in bicentennial events
- 8/7/2021: News Tribune — Statewide efforts culminate in bicentennial events
- 8/7/2021: Columbia Missourian — Aug. 6-10 bicentennial schedule
- 8/6/2021: Lake Gazette — Aug. 6-10 bicentennial schedule
- 8/3/2021: Columbia Missourian — Show-Me 200 years: Join the state’s bicentennial celebration
- 8/3/2021: Missouri Times — Capital city to host bicentennial celebration next week
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