History of Chess in Saint Louis

The History of Chess in Saint Louis

The success of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and the opening of the World Chess Hall of Fame have received international attention from the chess community, making Saint Louis the premiere chess destination worldwide. The city of Saint Louis, however, is not without a lengthy chess heritage.  

In 1886, Saint Louis hosted a segment of the first World Chess Championship, which culminated with Wilhelm Steinitz defeating Johannes Zuckertort to become the first world champion. Benjamin Foster, a Saint Louis resident and the editor of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat chess column, published Chancellor Chess: or the New Game of Chess three years later in 1889. 

The 1904 World’s Fair drew national and international visitors to Saint Louis. It also served as an occasion to hold the Seventh Annual Chess Congress in the city. Frank J. Marshall, founder of the Marshall Chess Club in New York City, was named tournament champion. Saint Louis resident and founder of the St. Louis Chess Club, Max Judd, was awarded second prize.

[my_caption id=\image_1711\ align=\alignRight\ width=\250\ caption=\Eveline Burgess (1856-1936) of Lamoni