Rex Sinquefield

Inducted 2020

United States of America

Biography

Raised in Saint Louis, lifelong chess player Rex Sinquefield has transformed his hometown into the Chess Capital of the United States. In 2008, he founded the Saint Louis Chess Club (STLCC) with his wife, Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, and they later provided the funding to move the World Chess Hall of Fame to Saint Louis. The STLCC has become home to championship chess in the U.S., hosting numerous national tournaments, in addition to bringing the benefits of chess to over 60,000 students. Rex has also made history through the creation of the Sinquefield and Cairns Cups, the strongest ever tournament and strongest women’s tournament held on American soil. His efforts, including supporting the U.S. national team and creating tournaments that allow new chess talents to grow, have attracted top players and revitalized chess in the United States.

Austin Fuller, Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield at the Closing Ceremony of the 2018 Sinquefield Cup (August 28, 2018) | Courtesy of the Saint Louis Chess Club