AR3 AR2 WCHOF Inductions The Sound of : A Musical Odyssey AR4-5 Major Donations AR3 The Early Days of AR7 the The Benson Connection

MIND. THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ART. Arts&Culture APRIL 12, 2018 – EXPERIENCE. FEBRUARY 24, 2019

SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/LENNART OOTES Chess Museum Moves to Saint Louis Chief Curator Shannon Bailey reflects on curating chess, with reflections from John McCrary.

BY SHANNON BAILEY Hall of Fame under David Mehler tional reputation of the Saint Louis permanent collection alongside Fame Committee Chair, was asked Chief Curator, shifted into chess education for Chess Club (which opened July temporary exhibitions that high- about the transfer of the museum World Chess Hall of Fame youth, especially those from under- 17, 2008), it was proposed that the light the great players, historic to Saint Louis. His reflections were served areas in the D.C. area. From contents of the Miami institution games, and cultural and artistic striking. “When time came to move The Chess 1992 to 2001, the collection grew be moved to Saint Louis. Realizing impact of chess. The WCHOF part- on, the Hall of Fame moved up! Federation (US Chess) founded the to include the World Team Chess the potential to provide area youth ners with the Saint Louis Chess From a basement in New Windsor, World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) Championship trophy won by the with a vital educational resource, Club to provide innovative pro- to its own building in Saint Louis in 1986. Originally known as the U.S. team in 1993, numerous chess Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield, the gramming and outreach to local, in the middle of America, and from U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, the small sets and boards, and the U.S. Chess founders of the Saint Louis Chess national, and international audi- being an occasional afterthought museum opened in 1988 in the Hall of Fame inductee plaques. Club, provided funding to relocate ences. The organization has wel- in the chess world, to an inte- basement of the Federation’s then- The institution moved in 2001 the institution to Saint Louis. comed over 78,000 visitors since it gral part of the synergy of a chess headquarters in New Windsor, New into a new facility at the Excalibur Saint Louis’ first Hall of Fame opened its doors. center that is bringing together the York. The institution contained Electronics headquarters in inductions were held on September It is an honor that this remark- many elements of the world’s best a modest collection, including a Miami, Florida, and was renamed 8, 2011. The Hall of Fame itself was able institution has found its home intellectual game into one place. book of chess openings signed by the World Chess Hall of Fame opened to the public the next day, in Saint Louis. Many of the origi- Most importantly the World Chess , the silver set earned and Sidney Samole Museum. The September 9th, in Saint Louis’ bus- nal founders and contributors are Hall of Fame has achieved, and by at the 1857 First Museum began inductions in 2001, tling Central West End neighbor- still very active in the growth of continues to achieve, its contribu- , Edward and continued collecting chess hood, directly across the street from the World Chess Hall of Fame. One tions to the many educational ben- Lasker’s personal , and sets, books, memorabilia, adver- the Saint Louis Chess Club. in particular, John McCrary, has efits of chess.” cardboard plaques honoring Hall of tisements, photographs, furniture, Housed in a renovated, historic always lent his expertise, and at Fame inductees. medals, trophies, and journals until 15,900 square-foot residence- times his personal objects, to the In 1992, the U.S. Chess Trust pur- it closed in 2009. turned-business, the WCHOF is exhibitions here in Saint Louis. chased the museum and moved its Due to the vibrancy of the chess the permanent home of the U.S. McCrary, who is a past US Chess contents to Washington, D.C. at the scene in Saint Louis, Missouri, and and World Chess Halls of Fame. It President, past President of the U.S. Chess Center. The focus of the the success and growing interna- also displays of artifacts from the U.S. Chess Trust, and past Hall of AR2 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ARTS&CULTURE APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ARTS&CULTURE APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 AR3 The Early Days of the Chess Club

BY BRADLEY BAILEY sation. I recall that I took the slim Associate Professor, but potentially disastrous chance Saint Louis University of losing the favor of the audience— the vast majority being either chess I enjoy telling the story of my players, Saint Louisans, or both— involvement in the early days of the from the get-go by informing them Chess Club and the World Chess at the opening of the talk of a cer- Hall of Fame because it required tain irony in opening such an ambi- such an intricate series of coin- tious chess club in Saint Louis. cidences that it stretches one’s Louis IX of France, our faith in destiny (or lack thereof) to city’s namesake, was a notoriously believe that it came together the bad loser when it came to chess way it did. matches. He banned chess from the Shannon [Bailey, chief curator of kingdom following his return from the WCHOF] and I moved to Saint the Crusades, during which he was Louis from Texas in the summer reputed to have thrown a chess set of 2007 because I got a job at Saint overboard during a post-defeat tan- Louis University. We had been in trum while sailing from Egypt to town less than a year before I was the Holy Land. Worse, and in true introduced to Susan Barrett, Rex poor-sport fashion, he once pro- Sinquefield’s cultural attaché. Susan claimed chess to be a “useless and had the unenviable task of look- boring game.” If memory serves it ing for someone locally who might got a decent laugh, though video have some knowledge of the arcane evidence may prove otherwise. topic of the intersection of art and The rest of the talk was well chess, and who could be involved received, and the conversation in helping with some programming with Diana was both enlightening to coincide with the opening of and entertaining. Diana is a bril- the STLCC, which was soon to take liant artist with a wonderfully witty place in July of 2008. sense of humor, and I wish that our To this end, Susan had con- paths crossed more often. For me, sulted with then-director of the the presentation proved that there Contemporary Art Museum St. was content in art and chess, that Louis (and founding WCHOF board the content was compelling and member) Paul Ha. Paul told her that entertaining, and that there was an it just so happened that a guy who audience for it. wrote his dissertation on that very All of these elements were crucial subject had just moved into town, in the formulation of the first major WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/AUSTIN FULLER and it was Shannon’s husband! event in Saint Louis that brought art Susan soon came to see me pre- and chess together less than a year sent a lecture and apparently liked later: the 2009 U.S. Championship, what she saw, as she immediately the first major tournament held put me to the task of coming up at the STLCC, and the exhibition The Sound of Chess: A Musical Odyssey with ideas regarding how to con- and book on the chess career of tribute to the upcoming opening of Marcel Duchamp at the Saint Louis the Chess Club, and particularly in University Museum of Art. That, of regard to the permanent video art course, is a story for another time. installation by Diana Thater. I sug- BY BJORN RANHEIM had no personal part in choosing. other concert events around the we all play together on a regular minating event for the exhibition, gested that I do a quick presenta- Music Director, You can then imagine what a Saint Louis area. The biggest perk basis within the orchestra, it is a featuring myself and other musi- tion on the history of the interre- World Chess Hall of Fame thrill it is for me to serve as the of my job with the WCHOF is that rare treat to hear individual per- cians in world premiere perfor- lationship between art and chess, Pictured from left to right: Larry Music Director for the World Chess I get to take in all of the incred- formers step up from the ranks mances of three new works by followed by a conversation with List, Bradley Bailey, Jennifer I often have to pinch myself to Hall of Fame (WCHOF), where ible concerts that we present as an and shine in the small group local composers. The works were Diana, and Susan found this pro- Shahade, and Francis Naumann at believe that I am fortunate enough I am entrusted with curating 18 active audience member, reveling environment. created specifically for the event posal more than agreeable. the lecture and book signing for to make my living as a profes- concerts a year that span all gen- in the talents of performers from There have been many concert and inspired by the game of chess. There were maybe 75 people there The Art of Chess sional cellist with the world-class res and styles of music. Stepping across the musical spectrum. highlights of my relatively short It was such a thrill to shepherd for the presentation and conver- St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. back from my role as a performer I am able to book musical groups time with the WCHOF, but one of the concept through from incep- Bringing life to the music of the to conceive of a cohesive concert for our Monthly Music Series that my favorites was a September 2017 tion to completion and to witness PHOTOS SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB greatest composers throughout series has allowed me to tap into I admire and want to hear more event that allowed me to combine the excited reactions of those in history is an honor and privilege a previously unused part of my of. With our Composers Spotlight many of my strengths in creating a attendance. I truly feel like a kid in that I never take for granted. Each musical brain in crafting meaning- Series, I select chamber music concert program entirely inspired a candy shop in getting this special week I arrive at Powell Hall to ful experiences for our inquisitive works by composers that are near by the game of chess. I was co- opportunity to create programs, rehearse and perform a different and dedicated audiences. and dear to my heart and then collaborator on one of the submis- build audiences and foster this program of works painstakingly One downside of being an active invite my friends and colleagues sions chosen for the Imagery of burgeoning musical center of our selected by conductors and artistic performer is that my schedule from the St. Louis Symphony Chess: Saint Louis Artists exhibi- community! Inductions to the Chess Halls of Fame administrators, but which I have often prevents me from attending Orchestra to perform them. While tion. I also curated a unique cul-

Clockwise from top, Monthly Music Series: The 442s, 2016; Composer Spotlight Series: Brahms, 2017; The Sound of Art, 2013.

BY EMILY ALLRED inductees themselves. Harold The Hall of Fame Committee con- Chess Champions and contenders women and girls in the game.” Associate Curator, Winston, Executive Director of sists of Harold Winston (Chairman), have been commemorated since “Women became active tourna- World Chess Hall of Fame the U.S. Chess Trust, puts it well Joel Benjamin, Frank Camaratta, then, including 2018 inductee Kira ment chess players a few hundred when he says that “the Hall of Fame John Donaldson, John Hilbert, Al Zvorykina. Representatives of the years after men,” Marinello contin- Since 2011, Saint Louis has inductions in Saint Louis, which Lawrence, John McCrary, Sophia World Chess Federation (Fédération ued. “This is a relatively new field 2018 U.S. and World hosted the induction ceremonies began during the Grand Opening Rohde, Jennifer Shahade, and Andy Internationale des Échecs or FIDE) for us. The future is waiting for bril- Inductees from left to for the U.S. and World Chess Halls ceremony of the World Chess Hall Soltis. Their list of nominees is then select the inductees to the World liant girls and women players to right, Bill Goichberg, of Fame, honoring those who have of Fame, have been exciting and sent to the U.S. Chess Trust for a Chess Hall of Fame. join and play beautiful chess games. Alex Onischuk, Aron contributed the most to the game dramatic and having an audience vote on induction. This year, the FIDE Vice President Beatriz It is my hope that girls and women Nimzowitsch, Richard Reti, as players, writers, promoters, of the players in the U.S. and U.S. U.S. Chess Hall of Fame is honor- Marinello said of this process: of all backgrounds, not just a select and Kira Zvorykina. and organizers. The 2011 induc- Women’s Chess Championships ing 2006 U.S. Chess Champion Alex “My main involvement in the World few, are supported in their chess tions coincided with the opening makes the occasions even more Onischuk, who is also competing in Chess Hall of Fame has been about endeavors, not just in their games, of the World Chess Hall of Fame memorable.” the 2018 U.S. Chess Championship, recognizing women and their but supported in chess as a career.” (WCHOF) in Saint Louis, which The 2011 inductions welcomed and Bill Goichberg, an innovative legacies in chess. Why shouldn’t houses displays commemorating two players, Boris Gulko and Andy organizer of thousands of chess women have their fair share of their accomplishments. Soltis, to the U.S. Chess Hall of tournaments. fame? As the first woman elected Inductions have since been held Fame in light of their many achieve- The 2011 inductions also marked President of US Chess and the first The 2018 U.S. and World Chess Hall during the opening ceremonies of ments. Soltis, who earned praise for an important moment in the his- woman to be elected Vice President of Fame inductees, from left to the U.S. and U.S. Women’s Chess his accomplishments as a player as tory of the WCHOF—the induction of the World Chess Federation right: FM Bill Goichberg, GM Alex Championships. There, inductees’ well as an author, is now in turn a of , the first Women’s (FIDE), I am proud and happy that Onischuk, GM Aron Nimzowitsch, legacies are celebrated before the member of the U.S. Chess Hall of World Chess Champion and the FIDE and national federations as Richard Réti, WGM Kira Zvorykina. best players in the United States, Fame Committee, which nominates first female member of the WCHOF. well as other chess organizations some of whom may become future candidates for induction. A number of other Women’s World are now committed to supporting WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/SARAH CARMODY WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/AUSTIN FULLER AR4 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ARTS&CULTURE APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ARTS&CULTURE APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 AR5 Club Installations Celebrate Inductees

BY EMILY ALLRED of the activities occurring at the STLCC today. Associate Curator, Coincidentally, the donation occurred as the World Chess Hall of Fame STLCC was planning the first , one of the strongest tournaments held in the On the Saint Louis Chess Campus, chess fans United States since the 1966 , can learn about important moments in the which included one World Chess Champion game’s history as they watch many of the best () and two future World Chess American and international players compete in Champions (Bobby Fischer and ). elite tournaments. Since 2013, the WCHOF has presented a new The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) has mini-exhibition at the Saint Louis Chess Club presented exhibitions at the Saint Louis Chess in connection with each of its third-floor his- Club (STLCC) since 2013. These installations cel- tory exhibitions, covering topics as diverse ebrate important moments in chess history in a as chess during World War II, the legacy of space where history is being made. Bobby Fischer, and colorful posters from Chess The first of these exhibitions occurred in con- Olympiads. In some cases, the exhibitions nection with : Patron, have even included photography and artifacts Player, Pioneer (October 25, 2013 – July 13, related to more recent achievements at the 2014), a show that spotlighted the first impor- STLCC, such as the photographs from the U.S. tant archival donation that the WCHOF received Women’s Chess Championships at the Club that at its Saint Louis location—the archives of 2014 were displayed in connection with Her Turn: U.S. Chess Hall of Fame inductee Jacqueline Revolutionary Women of Chess. Piatigorsky. In staging its current exhibition The The donation contained a number of artifacts Sinquefield Effect: Resurgence of American (1) Tiffany & Co., (2) Photographer unknown, (3)Photographer unknown, (4)Robert Rudolph (5)Hungary, Silver and (6)IM John Donaldson's related to Piatigorsky’s achievements as a player Chess, the WCHOF is bringing this effort full Piatigorsky Cup Trophy, , Date Fritz Brieger with GM Hollendonner, Hollendonner Copper Enamel Chess Set Team Gold Medal from as well as a promoter of the game who held WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME / OTTO ROTHSCHILD circle, celebrating the Club’s achievements 1963. Collection of the unknown. Collection of the , GM Isaac Chessmen, 1978. Collection and Board, Early 20th the 2016 , , important tournaments and organized scho- Jacqueline Piatigorsky with the Winners of the 1963 Piatigorsky Cup Tournament, alongside the U.S. and World Chess Halls of World Chess Hall of Fame, World Chess Hall of Fame, Kashdan, IM Al Horowitz, of the World Chess Hall of century. Collection of the . lastic chess activities. Many of her accomplish- GMs Tigran Petrosian and . Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, Fame, which honor the greatest national and gift of the family of gift of Carl Ebeling GM , and GM Fame, gift of Raquel Browne World Chess Hall of Fame, Collection of the World ments in supporting the game are forerunners gift of the family of Jacqueline Piatigorsky international chess figures. Jacqueline Piatigorsky Frank Marshall at the 1937 gift of the Traci L. and Chess Hall of Fame, , Sweden, Chess Dr. Arthur B. Laffer family gift of John Donaldson Olympiad. Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame, gift of Richard Kashdan

WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/MICHAEL DEFILIPPO Major Donations: Preserving Chess History

collection of periodicals as chess set made by Robert • Objects include photos, Richard Kashdan Martin, including one BY NICOLE TESSMER well as numerous artifacts Rudolph Hollendonner. Chess Olympiad memo- • Donated objects related featured in Open Files II. Registrar, related to 20th-century • His memorabilia has rabilia, books, materials to the life of his father, World Chess Hall of Fame chess. Art Laffer’s donated been featured in many related to his correspond- U.S. Chess Hall of Fame Art Laffer Hungarian chess set, one of shows at the WCHOF, and ence chess career and the inductee Isaac Kashdan. • Donated an ornate The World Chess Hall of the finest in the collection, most recently in our first development of Hitech, • Objects include photo- Hungarian chess set that Fame has received many has elevated the WCHOF’s international exhibition and correspondence, graphs, letters, medals, was featured in Open important donations of chess set collection. in conjunction with the some of which were fea- and chess sets, some Files II as well as the artifacts since it opened in . tured in Open Files. of which were featured pop-up exhibition at the Saint Louis in 2011. These Joram Piatigorsky and in the exhibition Sinquefield Cup and the artifacts have related to the Jephta Drachman Kathy Cella The Family of Global Moves: Americans PINNED! A Designer Chess game’s best players as well • Donated objects related • Donated photographs Curt and Rita Brasket in Chess Olympiads. Challenge Unveiling at as the art and culture of to the life of U.S. Chess and letters related to • Donated objects related Windows on Washington. chess. Among the donations Hall of Fame inductee U.S. Chess Hall of Fame to the life of FIDE Master IM John Donaldson that have allowed us to tell Jacqueline Piatigorsky. inductee Abraham . • Has made several large Saint Louis Chess Club new stories about American • Objects include the Kupchik. • Objects include periodi- donations over the years • Has donated objects such chess in our exhibitions Piatigorsky Cup; photos cals, books, correspond- to the WCHOF. as scoresheets, player are those related to U.S. of Jacqueline Piatigorsky, The Delucia Family ence, and photographs. • He has helped to grow cards, medals, trophies, Chess Hall of Fame induct- Herman Steiner, and Foundation our research library by photographs, and other ees Jacqueline Piatigorsky, Samuel Reshevsky; books; • Donated objects related The Family of donating many newspa- various memorabilia in Abraham Kupchik, Hans scoresheets; and letters to the life of World Chess • Donated many objects per articles, magazines conjunction with the Berliner, , which have been featured Hall of Fame inductee related to the life of from various chess pub- many tournaments that Isaac Kashdan, and Arthur in many exhibitions at the Emanuel Lasker. U.S. Chess Hall of Fame lications from across the take place at the Saint Bisguier. Additionally, the WC HOF. • Objects include original inductee Arthur Bisguier. world, and books. Louis Chess Club. Delucia Family Foundation manuscripts and Lasker’s • Objects include chess sets, • He has also donated many donated effects related to Raquel Browne travel chess set, both of trophies, photographs, photographs, medals, and World Chess Hall of Fame • Donated objects related which were featured in correspondence, and other memorabilia related inductee Emanuel Lasker. to the life of her husband, Open Files II. other memorabilia. to chess tournaments IM John Donaldson, a chess U.S. Hall of Fame inductee • One of his Staunton across the world. historian and the Chess Walter Browne. Carl Ebeling chess sets is featured in Director of the Mechanics’ • Objects include photo- • Donated objects related The Staunton Standard: Jon Crumiller and Institute, has also been an graphs, medals, trophies, to the life of U.S. Chess Evolution of the Modern GM Ray Keene especially prolific donor to correspondence, Chess Hall of Fame inductee Chess Set. • Donated photos taken the WCHOF, building its Olympiad materials, and a Hans Berliner. by photographer Barry

ARTIFACT PHOTOGRAPHY WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/MICHAEL DEFILIPPO AR6 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ARTS&CULTURE APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ARTS&CULTURE APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 AR7 2013 Sinquefield Cup Chessmen THE BENSON CONNECTION

BY SHANNON BAILEY threatened not to. Noticing by The House of Staunton Chief Curator, Fischer’s lack of social skills World Chess Hall of Fame and recognizing his loneli- ness and isolation, Benson BY SHANNON BAILEY I carved a wooden model of the modified unicorn World-renowned photog- stated, “Bobby regarded the Chief Curator, head and fit it onto the base of a Collector Series . rapher Harry Benson was press as enemies, yet there World Chess Hall of Fame I then had the modified Collector chessmen scaled up the only person to have pri- had to be one friendly face in in size to a six inch (Imperial-sized) King. The Imperial vate access to Bobby Fischer the enemy camp, and I fig- In 2013, the Saint Louis Chess Club commissioned Collector was born! during the entire 1972 World ured it might as well be me.” Frank Camaratta from the House of Staunton to cre- A few years ago, Rex asked me if I could make a set Chess Championship match Harry Benson and his wife, ate a unique chess set for the STLCC flagship event, The of high quality chessmen that could be used on he DGT in Reykjavík, Iceland. Benson Gigi, have been great friends Sinquefield Cup. Camaratta made a total of 10 sets and for the U.S. Chess Championships and his captured intimate images of to the Saint Louis Chess they are now in the collection of Dr. Jeanne and Rex new Sinquefield Cup Tournament. He didn’t like the this time with Fischer and Campus. Benson was a huge Sinquefield, Randy Sinquefield, Katie Sinquefield, Luke crop of DGT-enabled chessmen currently on the market. was the first person to deliver part of the HBO documen- Sinquefield, , , Levon Since Rex had purchased one of my Imperial Collector the news to Fischer that he tary Bobby Fischer Against Aronian, , the Saint Louis Chess Club, and sets and seemed to really like it, I suggested that we use had won the match! the World (2010) directed by the World Chess Hall of Fame. The tournament took that design for his championship events. Benson began photograph- Liz Garbus. Benson’s photo- place September 9-15, 2013. The average FIDE rating for Another deficiency of all DGT-enabled chess- ing Fischer when on assign- graphs were used throughout the field was 2797, making it the highest rated tourna- men is that they are unweighted, hence they are very ment for LIFE magazine in the film and his interviews ment to that date. light. In spite of warnings from the DGT engineering 1971. Sent to , helped to shape a sympa- Frank was asked to describe his process and Department that it was impossible to add weight to the Argentina to cover the 1971 thetic image of Bobby. The inspiration: chessmen (because of interference with the embed- , World Chess Hall of Fame “The Sinquefield Cup Chessmen are actually a smaller ded sensors), I told Rex that I had figured out a way Benson began to cultivate partnered with Garbus version of the Imperial Collector. My very first House to add significant ballast without interfering with the a relationship with Bobby, to host the premier at the of Staunton chessmen design was the Collector Series. communication between the chessmen and the DGT who was known for being Sundance Film Festival in One day, while perusing a shop with my wife, I noticed chessboard. notoriously camera-averse, January 2010, and later that a small statue of a unicorn. Something just lit up in my My technique worked like a charm and, as they say, guarded, and socially awk- year both the New York and head. I took a picture of it and edited it in Photoshop by the rest is history.” WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME / MICHAEL DEFILIPPO ward. Fischer defeated Tigran Saint Louis debuts. removing the horn. Voila, my next Knight design! The House of Staunton, 2013 Sinquefield Cup Chess Set and oversized knights. Petrosian at the Candidates Benson had a solo exhibi- Tournament, qualifying tion: BOBBY FISCHER: Icon him for the World Chess Among Icons in 2012 at the Championship match. World Chess Hall of Fame. In With this victory, Fischer 2014, Benson photographed not only continued his rise the players of the Sinquefield among chess players, but Cup including World Chess Chess Campus also became a pop-culture Champion Magnus Carlsen sensation. At the height of and now-World Chess the Cold War, the media Championship challenger, played up the impending . battle between the American Once again, the World and the Russian Boris Chess Hall of Fame will show THINKS Spassky, the defending World Harry’s work with previ- Chess Champion. News out- ously unseen photographs of lets referred to the upcoming Fischer alongside the photos match as the “Match of the he took in Saint Louis in 2014. Century” and used headlines It has been an honor getting such as “Fischer vs. Spassky: to know Harry more and A Major Struggle in the Cold more over the years and hear War.” the legendary tales of Fischer During the 1972 World who Benson has said is “the Chess Championship, most eccentric and most fas- Benson continued to culti- cinating person I have ever vate a journalistic friendship photographed.” with Fischer. The two spent BIG many hours together dur- ing the nearly two months BY BRIAN FLOWERS in Iceland, walking and talk- From top, Fischer vs. Marketing Communications Coordinator, ing night after night through Spassky, Game One, Iceland, World Chess Hall of Fame the hills of the Icelandic 1972. Collection of Dr. Jeanne countryside. Benson noted and Rex Sinquefield; Fabiano What do a female giraffe, the Statue of Liberty’s fin- that the pressure on Fischer Caruana plays Black against gernail, and chess have in common? If you guessed was enormous—it is known during Round they are all similar in size to the Saint Louis Chess that Fischer received sev- 9 of the 2014 Sinquefield Campus’ giant , you’re no stranger to this eral phone calls from Henry Cup. Collection of the World larger-than-life landmark. Kissinger encouraging him Chess Hall of Fame. The Saint Louis Chess Club, in conjunction with to play the match when he the World Chess Hall of Fame, unveiled the 14-foot-6- PHOTOS © HARRY BENSON inch behemoth as the “World’s Largest Chess Piece,” a title approved by Guinness World Records as the new record holder on May 7, 2012. The momentous occa- sion was one of several events kicking off the U.S. Chess Championships that year, along with a special proclamation designating Saint Louis’ “Gateway to WORLDWIDE GAME HELPS Chess Day” by former Mayor Francis Slay. Building the giant chess piece was no small feat, as DRIVE SAINT LOUIS’ TRAVEL you can imagine. Luckily, R.G. Ross, a Saint Louis- based construction company, was up for the large & TOURISM INDUSTRY (mild pun intended) challenge: “Figuring out how to cut all of the different shapes needed to build the piece was quite challenging,” said project manager, Ed Rhomberg. “The model piece was BY KATHLEEN M. RATCLIFFE includes the continued growth of scanned by a 3D computer program, then magnified to President, Explore St. Louis the Saint Louis Chess Club and the size desired in proper scale. That electronic file was World Chess Hall of Fame. then used to provide all of the necessary dimensions— One of world’s most famous With prestigious tournaments like angles, radii, etc.—used to make the individual sections games has found a home in Saint the U.S. Chess Championships, U.S. or horizontal slices, if you will.” Louis with the opening of the Women's Chess Championships, Over the years, the giant chess piece has taken on Saint Louis Chess Club in 2008. U.S. Championships, U.S. quite a large personality of its own, attracting a king- From hosting regional, national Girls’ Junior Championships, as sized compilation of paparazzi pictures and selfie stick and international events, and well as the venue’s signature event, shenanigans. Visitors from around the globe have through the leadership and vision the Sinquefield Cup, the Chess shared shots of the piece wearing its oversized Saint of Rex Sinquefield, the Chess Club has shone a global spotlight Louis Cardinals jersey, lucky leprechaun top-hat and Campus has become a main- on Saint Louis. In addition to offer- chic chessboard scarf. stay of the thriving Central West ing fans a front row seat for these Although Saint Louis temporarily gave way to a new End neighborhood and a global tournaments, the events are simul- SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/LENNART OOTES world record holder in 2014, the vision and scope for destination for enthusiasts of cast online for worldwide audi- Spectators watching the 2017 Ultimate Moves Match. the giant chess piece imagined by Dr. Jeanne and Rex the game. ences. Viewers can out the Sinquefield would not be eclipsed. The Chess Campus More than 25 million visitors live action along with play-by-play recaptured the record with a brand-new, 20 foot tall come to Saint Louis for leisure, analysis from some of the game’s wealth of cultural and entertain- ming drives visitation to the Central The notoriety of the Saint African sapele mahogany king in April of 2018. conventions, meetings and busi- most trusted experts. ment offerings in the region. West End neighborhood, the World Louis area as a destination for Hand-carved and sculpted—with grinding wheels, ness travel each year. Those visitors Explore St. Louis uses their ongo- Each tournament brings new Chess Hall of Fame and Kingside chess—alongside the famous cul- chainsaws, belt sanders, chisels, and various power spend over $5.3 billion and help to ing partnership with the Club dur- economic activity and world- Diner. The Club’s community out- tural attractions and innova- Clockwise from top, Former World Champion with tools—the oil-sealed Staunton piece is a precisely generate 88,000 jobs for area resi- ing these broadcasts to offer view- wide publicity to Saint Louis. The reach with chess players in schools tive food and beverage scene— the Participants of the Match of the Millennials, July 2017; Mike Matheny, scaled version of the custom-made House of Staunton dents. While they may come here ers commercials and information fans and players also add to an and after-school organizations has has exploded because of the invest- Chess Campus Spokesperson and Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, king designed for the 2013 Sinquefield Cup. for a variety of reasons, one of the promoting Saint Louis as a travel already vibrant neighborhood, helped to elevate and amplify the ments made in Saint Louis with visits the World Chess Hall of Fame, 2017; WGM Katerina Nemcova's The giant king continues to greet enthusiasts and key elements that makes Saint destination. While chess fans may with a growing mix of cultures and region’s focus on education, one the Saint Louis Chess Club and the Ladies' Knight Chess Class pose with the World's Largest Chess Piece passers-by, and reminds all of us that hard work makes Louis a destination of choice is the be logging in to watch a world-class languages from around the globe. that is spurring impressive local World Chess Hall of Fame. Well and Garden Size Chess Set, 2017; World's Largest Chess Piece decorated big dreams come true. region’s diverse and plentiful cul- match, the commercial spots help The tournaments and the Chess growth in technology, scientific done Dr. and Mr. Sinquefield! as a Snowman for the Annual Central West End Window Walk, 2017. tural attractions and offerings. This educate them on the diversity and Club’s robust calendar of program- research, and innovation. PHOTOS SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/ AUSTIN FULLER AR8 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ARTS&CULTURE APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 Exhibitions 2011–2018

OUT OF THE BOX: ENCORE! IVORY CHESS ARTISTS PLAY CHESS TREASURES FROM THE JON 9/9/2011–2/12/2012 CRUMILLER COLLECTION 5/14/2015–10/18/2015 CHESS MASTERPIECES: HIGHLIGHTS FROM BATTLE ON THE BOARD: THE DR. GEORGE AND VIVIAN CHESS DURING WORLD WAR II DEAN COLLECTION 6/25/2015–1/17/2016 9/9/2011–2/12/2012 WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/SARAH CARMODY LADIES’ KNIGHT: A FEMALE Contemporary artist Glenn Kaino plays World Champion Magnus Carlsen during Kaino's performance art piece: The Burning Boards, 2014. U.S. AND WORLD CHESS PERSPECTIVE ON CHESS HALLS OF FAME AND 10/29/2015–5/1/2016 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION KINGS, QUEENS & CASTLES 9/9/2011–2/12/2012 10/31/2015–9/11/2016

MARCEL DZAMA: HER TURN: REVOLUTIONARY THE END GAME WOMEN OF CHESS 3/9/2012–8/12/2012 2/4/2016—9/04/2016

BOBBY FISCHER: TOM HACKNEY: ICON AMONG ICONS, CORRESPONDING SQUARES: PHOTOGRAPHS PAINTING THE CHESS GAMES BY HARRY BENSON CBE OF MARCEL DUCHAMP 3/9/2012–10/7/2012 5/19/2016—9/11/2016

U.S. AND WORLD CHESS DESIGNING CHESSMEN: HALLS OF FAME AND A TASTE OF THE IMAGERY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE OF CHESS PERMANENT COLLECTION, 9/29/2016–3/12/2017 PART II 3/9/2012–10/7/2012 ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL: NATURAL WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/MICHAEL DEFILIPPO SCREWED MOVES SPLENDORS FROM THE President George Washington's Chess Set, as seen in Power in Check: Chess and the American 9/13/2012–2/10/2013 CHESS COLLECTION OF Presidency, 2013. DR. GEORGE & VIVIAN DEAN EVERYBODY’S GAME: 9/29/2016–3/12/2017 CHESS IN POPULAR CULTURE 10/18/2012–4/14/2013 OPEN FILES: CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF COLLECTING POWER IN CHECK: 9/29/2016–4/15/2017 CHESS AND THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY THE IMAGERY OF CHESS: 10/18/2012–4/21/2013 SAINT LOUIS ARTISTS 3/23/2017–9/24/2017 BILL SMITH: BEYOND THE HUMANITIES POW! CAPTURING 3/7/2013–8/25/2013 SUPERHEROES, CHESS & COMICS PRIZED AND PLAYED: 3/23/2017–9/17/2017 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE JON CRUMILLER COLLECTION OPEN FILES II: CELEBRATING 5/3/2013–9/15/2013 5 YEARS OF COLLECTING 4/27/2017–10/29/2017 A WITHIN: ADORNED ARCHETYPES, VICTOR VASARELY: FASHION & CHESS CALCULATED COMPOSITIONS 10/19/2013–4/19/2014 10/6/2017–3/25/2018 WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/MICHAEL DEFILIPPO Prized and Played: Highlights from the Jon Crumiller Collection, 2013. JACQUELINE PIATIGORSKY: PINNED! A DESIGNER PATRON, PLAYER, PIONEER CHESS CHALLENGE 10/25/2013–7/13/2014 10/6/2017–3/25/2018

CAGE & KAINO: GLOBAL MOVES: AMERICANS PIECES AND PERFORMANCES IN CHESS OLYMPIADS 5/8/2014–9/21/2014 11/10/2017–3/31/2018

STRATEGY BY DESIGN: PAINTED PIECES: ART CHESS GAMES BY MICHAEL GRAVES FROM PURLING LONDON 5/8/2014–9/28/2014 4/12/2018–9/16/2018

A MEMORABLE LIFE: THE STAUNTON STANDARD: A GLIMPSE INTO THE COMPLEX EVOLUTION OF THE MIND OF BOBBY FISCHER MODERN CHESS SET 7/24/2014–6/7/2015 4/12/2018–9/16/2018

LIVING LIKE KINGS: THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT: THE UNEXPECTED THE RESURGENCE COLLISION OF CHESS OF AMERICAN CHESS AND HIP HOP CULTURE 4/12/2018–2/24/2019 10/9/2014–4/26/2015

WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME/AUSTIN FULLER MARCEL DZAMA: Chief Curator Shannon Bailey gives remarks at the opening reception of Ladies Knight: A Female MISCHIEF MAKES A MOVE Perspective on Chess, 2016. 5/14/2015–10/18/2015