Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield

Inducted 2020 1946 - Present

United States of America

Biography

In 2008, Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield founded the Saint Louis Chess Club (STLCC) with her husband, Rex, and they later provided the funding to move the World Chess Hall of Fame to Saint Louis. Through the STLCC, they have helped to bring the benefits of chess to thousands of students throughout the Saint Louis metropolitan area and revitalized chess throughout the country. Passionate about the Scouts BSA, Jeanne instigated the creation of its chess merit badge, which has now been earned by over 225,000 scouts. With fellow scouts, she created Chess2Go, a compact portable chess set in 2012. In 2019, Jeanne wrote a book about chess notation, Learn to Read and Write Chess. The same year, she established the Cairns Cup, a world-class women’s chess tournament that was held again in 2020.

Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield at the Scouts BSA Chess Merit Badge Launch (September 10, 2011) | Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame

Chess2Go (2013), King size: 1 ⅜ in. dia. ,Board: 15 x 15 in. ,Plastic | Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of the Saint Louis Chess Club | ©Chess2Go

Developed by Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield

Your Guide to Chess Notation

A dedicated supporter of chess education, Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield designed Learn to Read and Write Chess, a unique workbook that makes learning chess notation simple, visual, and interactive. Through step-by-step exercises and hands-on activities, it helps players of all levels master reading and recording moves with ease. Her commitment to expanding access to chess continues to inspire players of all ages.

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