Education | Research | Community
October 24-26, 2024
Join us in Saint Louis!
The Saint Louis Chess Conference is a celebration of the rich educational and social tapestry woven by the game of chess. In addition to 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. Join us in Saint Louis for an unforgettable experience where passion meets knowledge, and chess enthusiasts connect on a global stage. Register today!
Keynote Title: The Life-Changing Magic of Chess
Maurice Ashley made history in 1999 when he became the first African American chess Grandmaster. He is a national championship coach, many time author, chess commentator, puzzle inventor, video course creator, and motivational speaker. In recognition of his immense contribution to the game, he was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame in 2016.
Ashley is an ardent spokesperson for the many character-building effects of chess. His latest books are "Move by Move: Life Lessons on and off the Chessboard" and "The Life Changing Magic of Chess", a picture book for early readers.
Keynote Title: Chess in Education - Challenges and Advantages in the Age of Computerization and AI
****This session is space constrained and therefore limited to the first 175 registrants. Those registering after Sept 5th are NOT guaranteed a seat.****
Garry Kasparov is a chess icon renowned for his exceptional career. At just 22, he became the youngest world chess champion in 1985 and defended his title five times. Beyond his chess accomplishments, Kasparov is a passionate advocate for chess in education. He founded the Kasparov Chess Foundation in 2002, a non-profit promoting the teaching of chess globally. The foundation's program, active in the United States and international centers, underscores Kasparov's commitment to leveraging chess for educational benefits.
Keynote Title: The Power of Chess in Education
Judit Polgár is widely regarded as the best female player in chess history. At age 12, she took the lead in the adult women’s world ranking. At age 14, she was already a two-time Women's Chess Olympic Champion, Later, she won two silver medals as a member of the Hungarian men's team. At age 15, she became an international grandmaster, breaking Bobby Fischer's age record. In 2005, she ranked 8th in the absolute world ranking, as the first and, to date, only female top 10 chess player.
Since her retirement, her international promotion of the sport includes creating a skill-development chess educational methodology, the Judit Polgár Method, developed for pre-school and primary school children.
The conference will include keynote speakers, plenary sessions, and concurrent sessions focused on chess research and education. While the program content is finalized, the program committee is currently working with plenary and concurrent presenters to place presentations into time slots. We are pleased to share the 2024 Conference Program.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2024 SAINT LOUIS CHESS CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Lodging: All conference sessions will be held at the Chase Park Plaza in Saint Louis' Central West End. Conference rooms at the conference hotel are sold out, but we have secured a limited number of rooms down the street at the AC Hotel at a reduced conference rate of $179/night. To reserve the conference rate, enter your information on this form.
Things to Do: Saint Louis' Central West End is a vibrant area and home to the World Chess Hall of Fame and the Saint Louis Chess Club. There are ample restaurants, bars, and other amenities in the near vicinity.
We have numerous opportunities for organizations to support the conference, including sponsoring a Keynote Speaker, a cocktail reception, or the networking room. For a full list of Sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
Contact Tad Middleton ([email protected]) for more information.
Do I need to be a member of the Saint Louis Chess Club to attend?No, you do not need to be a member to attend.
Who should attend this conference?Chess enthusiasts, educators, and researchers. This conference is targeted towards adults whose work and/or interests intersect with the social, educational, and research aspects of chess.
Will attending the conference help me become a better chess player?While we anticipate casual chess games between attendees in the common spaces and during evening social events, there will not be programming focused on chess strategy or tactics.
Can I attend with my child/children?Conference programming targets adults. This is not a chess festival; we do not plan to offer child-focused events or program topics. Keynote talks will also target an adult audience. We do not, however, have an age cut-off. A student with the right temperament and maturity may find the conference interesting, and could merely sample some of the more accessible sessions (for example, chess and gender, chess and students with disabilities). Also, the cocktail event(s) will be all-ages, although the program may include some later, informal gatherings at a local bar that would be limited to 21-and-up.
What if I have specific questions that are not addressed on the website?For more information please email us at [email protected].
All registration options include breakfast & lunch on Friday and Saturday; access to all keynote, plenary, and concurrent sessions; and cocktail receptions Friday and Saturday evening.
Available only to full-time students or those living under financial hardship
2024 U.S. Chess Championships Closing Ceremony
Join us Thursday, October 24th at 6 pm for the closing ceremony of the 2024 U.S. Championships as we crown the 2024 Champions. Experience an evening filled with cocktails, delectable hors d'oeuvres, and the chance to dance and mingle with the talented competitors
Yes, it's okay to send me text messages including confirmations, changes, and updates. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. View our terms of service & privacy policy.
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