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Keynote Speakers

GM Maurice Ashley

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.

GM Garry Kasparov

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.

GM Judit Polgár

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.

Conference Program

The conference will include keynote speakers, plenary sessions, and concurrent sessions focused on chess research and education. We are pleased to share the 2024 Conference Program.

Click Here to Download the 2024 Conference Program

Lodging and Location

Lodging: All conference sessions will be held at the Chase Park Plaza in Saint Louis' Central West End. Some attendees will also be staying at the overflow hotel down the street, the AC Hotel. As of September 23rd, the conference rate is no longer guaranteed. Please fill out this form to inquire about the availability of rooms at the conference rate. 

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.

Presenting Sponsors

Rook Sponsors

Knight Sponsors

Additional Sponsorship Opportunities

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.

FAQs

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.

Where will the conference take place?
All Keynote, Plenary, and Concurrent Sessions will occur at the Chase Plaza Hotel. The US Chess Closing Ceremony is also at the Chase Plaza Hotel. We will host events Friday and Saturday evening for conference attendees; both events will be held at locations that are within a five minute walk from the Chase Plaza Hotel (the World Chess Hall of Fame and the Maryland House).

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.

Do I need to stay at a conference hotel to attend? If not, where can I park?
You are not required to stay at one of the two conference hotels. Those making their own accommodations are welcome to try to find street parking in the area, or park in the Chase Plaza lot for a 50% daily, discounted rate of $20.

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].

Registrations Are No Longer Accepted - SOLD OUT

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.

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    Refund Policy: Conference registration cancelled by August 31, 2024 is refundable minus a $50 administrative fee. Registrations canceled after August 31 are not refundable.

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