National Chess Championship Kicks Off in St. Louis For Sixth Year In A Row
By JOSEPH LEAHY
NPR – St. Louis
Grand Master chess players from across the country have assembled in St. Louis’ Central West End for the 2014 U.S. Chess Championship.
Round 1 of the two-week tournament kicked off Thursday afternoon at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis.
A local favorite to follow this year is Grand Master Ray Robson, 19, who is a member of Webster University’s chess team that won the 2013 national collegiate chess championship, said CCSCSL Executive Director Tony Rich.
“But, I think everybody will be focusing on the defending U.S. Champion, Grand Master Gata Kamsky,” he said. “He’s won the U.S. championship four times in the past and he’s played world championship matches against the best in the world so he’s the guy to watch.”
This is the sixth consecutive year St. Louis has hosted the national championship and the U.S. Women’s Championship.
On Monday, the U.S. Senate approved a resolution designating St. Louis as the nation’s chess capital.
To many chess experts, St. Louis’ rise as an international center for chess competition has been remarkable to watch.
More here.
Go Ray!
What a bunch of kids. Nakamura is the man. He can beat these lineup in simul and blindfoded.
You obsessed with Nakamura or something? You must love him very much… when will you propose to him then? 🙂
If Nakamura can beat all of them? Why did he opt out of the tourney? Afraid to lose and go further down the rankings? Norway dejavu? lol