St. Louis is the center of the chess world this week. The second Saint Louis Chess Conference runs October 22 to 24 at the Chase Park Plaza, hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club, US Chess, and the Kasparov Chess Foundation.
What the conference is
Organizers describe the event as a national gathering for people advancing chess through research, education, and policy. The first conference in 2024 drew more than 250 educators, researchers, and enthusiasts from 14 countries and 32 states. St. Louis has been designated by the U.S. Senate as the Chess Capital of the United States.
The headliner
Former World Champion Garry Kasparov delivers the keynote address at a lunch on Saturday, October 24. Kasparov became the youngest world champion in 1985 at age 22 and founded the Kasparov Chess Foundation in 2002 to promote teaching chess in schools.
Other sessions
- A panel on chess and sports, with NFL Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow and WNBA star Aerial Powers among the participants
- A conference-opening exploration of women in chess
- A conversation with the filmmakers behind the documentary Madwoman’s Game
- Concurrent sessions on research, education, and program design
Hall of Fame honors
The 2026 U.S. Chess Hall of Fame class includes Montgomery Major and IM Jeremy Silman. The World Chess Hall of Fame class includes Ulf Andersson, Boris Gelfand, Nana Ioseliani, Vasyl Ivanchuk, and Alexandra Kosteniuk. Gelfand was inducted earlier this month, and the other inductees are honored at the conference’s closing on October 24. The conference week also began with the closing ceremony of the U.S. Chess Championships on Thursday evening.
Why it matters
Chess in education has gained attention for its connection to critical thinking and youth development. Even if you can’t attend the conference, the city’s chess presence, including the World Chess Hall of Fame in the Central West End, offers year-round visits.
Tips
Check registration details on the conference website, since the program lists some sessions by invitation or ticket.
