US Women’s Championship

For immediate release:

CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS TO HOST 2010 U.S. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 26, 2009 – The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis will host the 2010 U.S. Chess Championship, which will feature 24 of the best players in the country.

Tournament play will take place April 23 to May 6, with the competitors vying for $130,000 in prize money.

The 24 invited players will include:
• The defending U.S. Champion
• The winner of the 2009 U.S. Senior Open Championship
• The winner of the 2009 U.S. Junior Chess Championship
• The winner of the 2010 ICC State Champion of Champions
• The 2009 U.S. Women’s Champion
• The top five finishers of the 2009 U.S. Open Championship
• The top 10 U.S. players by rating of the United States Chess Federation
• Four wildcard spots

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center also hosted the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship in May, which was won by Hikaru Nakamura. The club also will host the 2009 U.S. Women’s Championship from Oct. 3-13.

“It was our privilege to host the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship and we’re honored to be chosen again,” said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.

The Chess Club was founded by retired investment company executive Rex Sinquefield and opened in July 2008. It has more than 500 members. This month, the U.S. Chess Federation named Saint Louis “Chess City of the Year.” In addition, Rich was named chess organizer of the year and Sinquefield was given the gold Koltanowski award, which recognizes the work he has done nationally on behalf of chess.

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. It offers free classes for beginners, discounted tournament entry fees and discounted merchandise for club members. For more information, please visit www.saintlouischessclub.org or call 314-361-CHESS.