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Cover Story / 2014 Sinquefield Cup


seventh round of the 2013 U.S. Championships I was standing less than two feet from the game GM Gata Kamsky-GM Alejandro Ramirez. This was the position:


the price of admission and the commentary is interactive.


At the inaugural Sinquefield Cup last year there was another commentary team in the World Chess Hall of Fame across the street comprised of GMs Varuzhan Akobian and Ronen Har-Zvi. I was able to watch their analysis for several hours and I and other spectators were welcome to ask any questions that came to mind. In my mind this was essentially a free lesson!


Here GM Ramirez found the saving move 30. ... Bh3 which salvaged a draw. Under any circumstances this would be a great defensive move, but what I remember the most is the fact that for two to three minutes after the move Gata made faces at himself while throwing his hands in the air.


Heading back down to the lobby several of the clubs padded wooden chairs are arranged in theater style rows facing a TV hanging on the wall. From this perch you may watch the broadcast by the commentary team composed of analyst GM Yasser Seirawan, color commentator WGM Jennifer Shahade, and computer commentator and all around high-energy superstar GM Maurice Ashley. In this room I have met many new friends, including Bob Long from Thinker’s Press and Marty Grund from the Internet Chess Club. I have also sat a few chairs away from Rex Sinquefield and collaborated with him and a few others on solving the tactical puzzles which are often displayed on the screen when the commentators take a break.


On a counter just below the TV you may avail yourself of something to drink, including coffee, tea, water, juice, or soda. There are also some light snacks such as trail mix, granola bars, and fruit. All are complimentary with your admission into the event.


Heading next door to Lester’s you will find a room that has been reserved for bracelet- wearing chess fans. Here you may help yourself to a snack or lunch which is catered buffet style while watching live commentary by a team of grandmasters. For the 2013 Sinquefield Cup it was GMs Ian Rogers and Ben Finegold, for the 2014 U.S. Championships it was GMs Robert Hess and Ben Finegold, and for the 2014 Sinquefield Cup it was GMs Alejandro Ramirez and Ben Finegold. The buffet is once again included in


During major events the basement of the club, which is normally open, closes to become a professional broadcast studio. It is from here that GM Yasser Seirawan, WGM Jennifer Shahade, and GM Maurice Ashley speak to their online audience. At one event a friend and I were given a quick private tour of the studio. I have been in many TV and film studios and the facilities at the CCSCSL rival anything I have seen anywhere else.


During each major event the CCSCSL and surrounding businesses become a chess mecca of sorts with a number of titled players showing up in addition to those playing in the tournament itself. I have spotted GMs Fidel Corrales Jimenez, Wesley So, Anatoly Bykhovsky, Susan Polgar, and Josh Friedel among others, including various international masters and FIDE masters.


One humorous moment from this past U.S. Championship came when prior to the start of a round GM Sam Shankland said, “Oh great, even the spectators are dressed better than I am” as he stood up to greet a very dapper FM Elliott Liu.


Jim Edmunds, who made the journey to St. Louis from Fort Worth, Texas said, “I love the fact that top tier tournaments are held in St. Louis. It’s centralized enough for almost the entire country, as opposed to either coast.” He goes on to say that “In no other sport can a spectator get this close to the action. With TV coverage and GM analysis there is no shortage of information.”


The proximity to the players is a theme that resonates with many visitors. Life member and Senior TD Tom Fogec from Milwaukee, Wisconsin attended the 2013 U.S. Championship and had this to say: “I most enjoyed being able to see the grandmasters whose pictures I see in Chess Life all the time. Seeing the idiosyncrasies such as players analyzing by staring at the ceiling, is amusing as well.” The staff were “very friendly from the moment I walked in the door.”


Tom also appreciated one commentator in


particular. “I introduced myself and my wife to Yasser Seirawan when we entered. What a gracious and friendly human being.”


I certainly have to agree with that last point. As someone whose tournament chess career began in the mid 80’s Yasser was one of my idols. The fact that not only does he serve as a commentator for many of these events, but that he also is so willing to interact with fans any time they approach him, goes a long way towards building a favorable impression which reflects well on the club and the greater St. Louis chess community as a whole.


The club itself is located in the Central West End of St. Louis, which is a wonderful neighborhood which mixes charming brownstone houses with elegant modern businesses. Surrounded by many bars and restaurants there are practically an unlimited number of dining choices. Some of the places I have enjoyed are Culpepper’s, which is a few doors down from the club and features casual dining in a sports-bar-like atmosphere; Sub Zero, which is just around the corner from the club and has a nice selection of specialty burgers as well as items such as sushi; and just a few blocks further away, but still well within walking distance is π, which as the name hints at is a pizza place.


Any article about the CCSCSL would be remiss if it didn’t mention Forest Park, which is far and away one of the best features in the area. Located about two blocks away from the club, the park is 1,371 acres of pure magic. Some of the many features of the park are a Victorian foot bridge, the Missouri History Museum, the St. Louis Zoo, lengthy bike and walking paths, fountains, statues, and other historical markers. The park was also the site of some of the events during the 1904 Olympic Games as well as the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition. If you like nature and/or history the park is a place where you will find yourself enthralled. I have spent at least 10 hours walking in the park and each time I discover something new.


As for lodging there are only a couple of hotels within walking distance of the CCSCSL, but it is easy to find parking in the area so staying a few miles away and driving each day is not a problem at all. If you haven’t already done so (or for that matter even if you have!) you should book yourself a chess vacation to St. Louis next year for the U.S. Championships or Sinquefield Cup where you quite likely will be spoiled for any other chess experience!


~ Chris Wainscott www.uschess.org 27


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