World Chess Hall of Fame

On September 9, 2011, Saint Louis continued to celebrate the game of chess with the opening of the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) directly across the street from the Chess Club and Scholastic Center. This historic building features the U.S. and World Chess Hall of Fame, displays of artifacts from the World Chess Hall of Fame’s permanent collection, and temporary exhibitions highlighting the great players, historic games, and rich cultural history of chess.

The WCHOF's collection now includes pieces such as a 500-year-old piece from an Egyptian game called senet, the earliest known board game; a custom-made set of chess furniture that belonged to the American Grandmaster and World Champion Bobby Fischer; and the first commercial chess computer; and a silver service awarded to Paul Morphy, American chess player and World Champion.

The World Chess Hall of Fame’s current focus is building awareness for the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It presents exhibitions of artistic and historical significance and offers interpretive programs that lend context and meaning to chess. In addition, the WCHOF commemorates the careers of its Hall of Fame inductees.

The World Chess Hall of Fame is now the only chess-focused institution that includes both a hall of fame and a museum, and it is the only solely chess-focused collecting institution in the United States.