Educational Chess Event to Feature Renowned Chess Experts, Educational Workshops and Community Engagement Opportunities This Fall

The Saint Louis Chess Club, US Chess and Kasparov Chess Foundation today announced an innovative educational chess event - the Saint Louis Chess Conference, which will bring together the leading voices in chess with chess educators, researchers and enthusiasts to learn best practices, to explore the latest research, and to celebrate the game of chess.

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The Saint Louis Chess Conference will bring together the leading voices in chess with chess educators, researchers and enthusiasts to learn best practices, explore the latest research and celebrate the game of chess. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Saint Louis Chess Conference will be held October 24-26, 2024 at the Chase Park Plaza in Saint Louis, Mo., and will feature leading keynote speakers including:

• Garry Kasparov, legendary World Champion and founder of the Kasparov Chess Foundation
• Judit Polgár, the strongest female chess player of all time
• Maurice Ashley, the first African American in chess history to earn the Grandmaster title

In addition to Keynote sessions, the conference schedule will include both plenary and concurrent sessions focused on chess research and education. A full schedule will be released in the summer, but illustrative sessions are:

• Findings from rigorous studies investigating the educational benefits of chess
• Gender and chess: data, policy, and practice
• Chess instruction and programming in unique contexts: senior citizens, prisons, and students with disabilities

“Chess is a life changing endeavor that can take people to heights they never dreamed of - whether professionally, scholastically or even personally,” said Kasparov. “I am honored to speak at the upcoming Saint Louis Chess Conference as we work collectively to harness the power of chess through the lens of education and advancing the sport we all love so much.”

In addition to hearing these world-renowned keynote speakers, attendees will learn from and contribute to presentations about chess instructional models, best practices, and resources, as well as hear about recent and current research projects exploring the impact of chess in schools and other topics.

“In collaboration with US Chess and Kasparov Chess Foundation, we are proud to bring together chess thought leaders for dynamic discussions and learning opportunities centered around education, research and the broader impact our beloved sport has on individuals and communities,” said Professor Michael Podgursky, Saint Louis Chess Club Board Member and Conference Chair.

While in Saint Louis, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the world renowned Saint Louis Chess Campus, including the Saint Louis Chess Club and World Chess Hall of Fame. Further, attendees can make plans to attend the closing ceremony of the 2024 U.S. Championships to recognize the 2024 Champions, as well as the opening ceremony for Chess 9LX.

Attendees can also visit the US Chess Federation headquarters located at the Union Station office plaza, right next to the St. Louis Aquarium and the St. Louis Wheel.

Call for Speaker Submissions

From beginners to Grandmasters and researchers to coaches, chess has a varied and vast role in society. Organizers of the Saint Louis Chess Conference invite interested parties to submit proposals for an opportunity to speak during the event. Speakers interested in delivering empirically-based presentations that use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methodological approaches to demonstrate the impacts of chess, as well as educational, theoretical, and practitioner-based approaches connected to chess education are encouraged to apply. Single presentation and panel submissions will be accepted through April 5, 2024.

To learn more about the event, including speaker submissions and event registration, please visit https://stlchessconference.org.

About the Saint Louis Chess Club

The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.

Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.

About US Chess

The US Chess Federation (US Chess) is the official governing body and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for chess players and chess supporters in the United States. Our mission is to empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through chess. Our vision is that chess is recognized as an essential tool that is inclusive, benefits education and rehabilitation, and promotes recreation and friendly competition.

US Chess represents the United States in the World Chess Federation (FIDE), connecting our members to chess players around the world. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation, US Chess has grown to serve over 100,000 members and 1,000 affiliated chess clubs and organizations today.

Every year, US Chess sanctions and rates over 10,000 tournaments and over half a million games. We host over 25 National Championships and award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens.

About Kasparov Chess Foundation (FCF)

Founded by World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, KCF’s mission is to bring the many educational benefits of chess to children worldwide by providing a complete chess curriculum and enrichment programs. The Foundation promotes the study of chess as a cognitive learning tool in curricular classes and after-school programs for elementary, middle and high schools, both in the public and private school sectors. The not-for-profit Foundation also organizes and sponsors regional, national, and worldwide tournaments, programs for talented students, and promotional chess events.

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