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: 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.

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.

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].

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.