Chess is so much more than game at the World Chess Hall of Fame.
I found this poster on a community bulletin board before I even arrived.
It was a Sign of Great Things to come.
Walking into the building I was greeted by the nicest people and learned
there were two exhibits open for viewing on the first and second
floors. On the third floor an event was being prepared for opening that
evening. The new exhibit is the one advertised on the poster. It will
be available for a few months. We’ll definitely return to see it.
The second floor was filled with amazing chess sets, some from the
1700’s. There is also plenty of information about the Ivory used to
create these masterpieces, and why we do not use Ivory any longer. The
exhibit is called “ENCORE! Ivory Chess Treasures from the Jon Crumiller Collection”
We are allowed to photograph, but I sincerely doubt I could have done
it any justice, so I encourage you to go look for yourself. There are
people to answer questions, everyone is Really Nice, the exhibit is free
(although you can donate.) If you aren’t able to visit in person, you
can follow the link – HERE it is again.
The World Chess Hall of Fame was moved from Miami to compliment the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
You DO want to walk into the “Q Boutique,” which is the niftiest gift
shop I’ve seen in a long time. I found the kid section AND a container
of eraser chess pieces. I adopted my favorite piece and went to the
counter. There was a gentleman with a clear, honest smile who gave me
the gift of story about my first ever chess piece . . . YES, it is an
eraser, yes it only cost a dollar . . . (Really, One Dollar, no tax, because the store is non-profit . . this organization serves our community and beyond, just sayin’)
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| Queen |
Turns out she is a Queen, the most powerful player in the game
she travels where she wants.
The gentleman is Brian Flowers. Trust me, you would like to meet him.
If you can’t visit in person, you can still visit his shop.
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| World’s Largest Chess Piece – 14 ft high, 6ft wide at the base, Created by The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis. Taller than a Giraffe. If it was on a chess board – one square would be 9ft X 9ft. wow |
Directly across the street is the Chess Club and Scholastic Center.
There are three floors. Downstairs there is a production room. During
my visit a tournament was taking place in Norway. Members of this club were participating and the event was being broadcast live.
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center has an outreach program in hundreds of area schools, summer camps, scouting programs and plenty more, (including classes, lectures, field trips . . ) There’s plenty of evidence Chess improves lives.
Upstairs is a room filled with photos of Chess Masters.
It’s place for Tournaments as well as classes.
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| upstairs |
That’s not the half of it!
They have a Toddler Tuesday from 9 AM to10:30 AM all summer.
(Color me over the moon about this.)
4657 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO. 63108
What’s YOUR Chess Story gonna be?
Su-sieee! Mac July 4, 2015 at 4:10 am
ReplyDeleteOooh, the Husband and I would enjoy wandering around that Hall of Fame. He doesn’t play chess, but he loves history, odd things, and museums. I play a little chess to know the moves. I’m a wonderful loser. There was a time when the Brother came over after work to play a game or two of chess with me. He always won. Seriously. I think winning helped him relax from his day of teaching.