Latest news with #YasserSeirawan
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to Open Interactive Exhibition Celebrating Chess Variants Through Time and Culture
SAINT LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries (WCHOF), the leading chess cultural center in the country, is proud to announce its latest exhibition, ' Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition,' an immersive, hands-on exploration of the global game's evolution and the creative reimaginings that continue to shape it today. The exhibition will be on display from Aug. 7, 2025 through Apr. 19, 2026. On view at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, 'Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition' offers a hands-on, immersive look at how cultures around the world have reimagined the game of chess through time. Share From ancient Persia to modern pop culture, ' Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition ' traces the history of chess and its many transformations over centuries. A vibrant timeline showcases theories on the game's origins, how it changed as it spread across Asia and Europe, the introduction of the iconic Staunton pieces, and the development of today's modern rules. The exhibition also highlights how cultures around the world adapted the game to reflect local customs, values, and innovations. 'Chess is one of the few games that has endured across continents and centuries—precisely because people continue to reinvent it,' said Shannon Bailey, Chief Curator of the WCHOF. 'Our latest exhibition is about celebrating the tradition and honoring the transformation. It's playful, surprising and educational—just like chess itself.' ' Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition ' will feature artifacts from the WCHOF's permanent collection, alongside loans from renowned collectors and historians. Contributors include Rick Knowlton (chess historian), John McCrary (chess historian), Myron Samsin (chess historian), Jon Crumiller (chess collector), Laszlo and Klara Polgar (parents of the world-renowned Polgar sisters), Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan and Jon Guillaume (New Orleans artist), each bringing a unique perspective to the exhibition. A special section is dedicated to Starchess, an inventive variant created by Laszlo Polgar, featuring rare photographs, patents, and boards on loan from the Polgar family. Exhibition highlights include: An original antique Jaques of London Staunton Set and Casket Invented in 2007 by GM Yasser Seirawan and FM Bruce Harper, Seirawan Chess is a variant that adds two new hybrid pieces—the Elephant (rook+knight) and the Hawk (bishop+knight)—which can be "dropped" onto the board after a piece moves, creating fresh tactical possibilities on a standard 8×8 board. The 2013 Sinquefield Cup Limited Edition Set and Box by The House of Staunton An Ancient Persian chess set and board A display of Asian chess variants including Janggi, Xiangqi, and Shogi A rich archive of photographs from the 1950s to the present showing variant play Pop culture chess sets inspired by Star Trek and Star Wars A display dedicated to Polgar Starchess Photos from previous iconic Chess 9LX matches A modern variant by Dr. Tim Paulden where a rubber duck blocks squares and must be moved after each turn—removing check and checkmate for a playful, tactical twist. 'It's just chess… but with a duck!' Each area introduces visitors to multiple examples of chess variants within its category, featuring rule guides, play demonstrations, and historical context. Visitors are encouraged to sit and engage directly with each type, turning the museum into a living, playable chessboard. The exhibition's flexible layout, with movable walls in the center gallery, allows for ongoing programming including variant tournaments, live lessons, and family play sessions, ensuring a dynamic, ever-changing experience. Admission is always free and open to the public. For more information about the exhibition and programming, please visit our website at The Saint Louis community is invited to the opening reception of 'Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition' on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. Step into a vibrant gallery filled with rare chess sets and playable variants that challenge the traditional rules—from alternate starting positions to multiplayer boards. Complimentary admission and valet. Click HERE to RSVP. About the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries (WCHOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to building awareness of the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It opened on September 9, 2011, in the Central West End after moving from previous locations in New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami. Housed in a historic 15,900 square-foot residence-turned-business in Saint Louis' Central West End neighborhood, the WCHOF features World Chess Hall of Fame inductees, the United States Chess Hall of Fame inductees selected by the U.S. Chess Trust, artifacts from the permanent collection and exhibitions highlighting the great players, historic games and rich cultural history of chess. The WCHOF partners with the Saint Louis Chess Club to provide innovative programming and outreach to local, national, and international audiences. For more information, visit and on social: Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube channels. WCHOF does not discriminate or permit harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, national and ethnic origin in the treatment of individuals with respect to employment, or admission or access to WCHOF facilities, programs or activities.
Business Wire
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Wire
Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars and Chess Legends for 2025 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls and Senior Championships
SAINT LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The brightest minds in American chess — from rising prodigies to seasoned champions — will converge once again in the nation's Chess Capital as Saint Louis hosts the 2025 U.S. Senior, Junior, and Junior Girls Championships. Hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club from July 15–25, the invitation-only tournaments will take place at University Tower in Saint Louis and feature the top 10 players in each division competing for national titles and a record-breaking combined prize fund of $225,000. 'We're proud to once again launch this summer's national championships by bringing together the country's top chess talent,' said Yasser Seirawan, Chief Commentator and Spokesperson for the Saint Louis Chess Club. 'The U.S. Junior, Junior Girls and Senior Championships are among our favorite events to host — they offer a rare opportunity to witness the brilliance of both legendary veterans and the rising stars who represent the future of American chess.' The three 10-player fields will tie together chess past and future for a celebration of the best of chess. U.S. Junior Championship With five of the players currently ranked within the top 50 juniors in the world, this year's U.S. Junior Championship will feature a field of competitive prodigies including Grandmaster (GM) Abhimanyu Mishra, the youngest ever to earn the GM title and the highest rated American Junior, as well as teenage GM's Andy Woodward and Brewington Hardaway. Along with winning the title, players will be competing to win a piece of the $75,000 prize fund and the coveted invitation to the U.S. Championship later this year. U.S. Junior Girls Championship The future of women's chess in America looks incredibly bright and will be showcased at the U.S. Junior Girls' Championship. The event features 9 of the top 11 Junior Girls in the country, including WGM Zoey Tang, who is currently ranked 7th in the world. Also competing are promising young talents such as 12-year-olds Woman FIDE Masters (WFM) Megan Paragua and Laurie Qiu, the youngest players in this year's championship. In addition to the championship title, players will compete for a share of the $50,000 prize fund and an invitation to compete in this year's U.S. Women's Championship later this year. U.S. Senior Championship Created by the Saint Louis Chess Club seven years ago, the U.S. Senior Championship will again be held alongside the country's junior national chess championships, where they will compete for a $100,000 prize fund. The 2025 field boasts legendary chess players, including many former champions like GM Vladimir Akopian (2024), GM Alex Shabalov (2022, 2019), GM Gregory Kaidanov (2021) and GM Joel Benjamin (2020). The rating for players is based on the April 2025 US Chess Invitational Rating lists, part of the US Chess Invitational Event Regulations, which were used to determine the invitations for these events. The expert commentary team of GMs Yasser Seirawan and Cristian Chirila and IM Nazi Paikidze will call the action live and provide game analysis daily online starting at 12:20 p.m. CT on and on the Saint Louis Chess Club's YouTube and channels. 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
