World Chess Hall of Fame

ABOUT

The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) celebrates one of the world's oldest and best-loved games through vibrant, engaging exhibitions and creative programming. A nonprofit, collecting institution situated in the heart of Saint Louis, the WCHOF houses both the U.S. and World Chess Halls of Fame, which honor the accomplishments of the game's finest players. The organization presents exhibitions that explore the history of the game, as well as its remarkable impact on arts and culture. These unique shows and programs are designed to appeal to both the chess novice and expert, defying expectations and enhancing knowledge of the game. Along with those of its sister organization, the Saint Louis Chess Club, the WCHOF's activities have distinguished Saint Louis as a national and international chess destination.

The WCHOF relocated from Miami to Saint Louis in 2011. Since that time, the WCHOF has exhibited over 70 exhibitions, worked with more than 200 local artists and musicians, and welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors. The WCHOF offers innovative and diverse programming to thousands of guests of all ages.

Exhibitions:

Donna Dodson: Match of the Matriarchs and other Amazonomachies (on view through September 15, 2024) is the first solo exhibition by a female artist hosted by the WCHOF. The show, which centers on women’s stories, women’s lives, and their place in the history of chess, includes Dodson’s monumental, life-sized chess set Match of the Matriarchs, which contains 32-large scale wooden sculptures representing all-female representations of cephalopods battling cetaceans.

The exhibition also showcases eight additional “amazon” sculptures depicting historical, literary, and mythological female heroes including figures from Mulan and Black Panther; a minotaur; Tomyris, a queen of Turkey; references to an aunt; Cybele; and Lakshmibai, a queen of India.

Debuting in the exhibition is The Madwoman of Chess or Autonomous was a Woman, which was commissioned by the World Chess Hall of Fame and will be part of the museum’s permanent collection. This dynamic and powerful sculpture harkens back to the backlash received when there was a major change to the rules of chess— the queen transformed from a piece with limited movement to one that combined the powers of the bishop and the rook. Some called this new version of the ancient game “madwoman’s chess.”

Donna Dodson, a Boston-area sculptor has been carving images out of wood for nearly 20 years. Her sculptures explore feminine beauty and evoke humor and playfulness but also grace, power, and emotional strength. Her unique vision responds to the relationships of animals to the human spirit that have existed since ancient times. 

Clash for the Crown: Celebrating Chess Champions (on view through January 12, 2025)  will explore the histories of the World Chess Championship and Women’s World Chess Championship through a display of artifacts from the collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF); the International Chess Federation (FIDE); and loans from world chess champions, women’s world chess champions, and private lenders. The exhibition will begin with the 1886 World Chess Championship, which was held in New York City, Saint Louis, and New Orleans and won by Wilhelm Steinitz, and continue through the present world chess champion, Ding Liren. It will also track the history of the Women’s World Chess Championship from its first winner, the legendary Vera Menchik, to Ju Wenjun, the reigning women’s world chess champion. This exhibition is being held in connection with the 100th anniversary of the founding of FIDE. Programming could include lectures by world chess champions or famous players about the legacies of champions.

The World Chess Hall of Fame Music Series

The Music Series has been a part of the rich cultural history at the World Chess Hall of Fame since 2014. Since that time, the Music Series has grown into one of our most popular programs, attracting world renowned artists, many of whom are local to the Saint Louis community. With performances twice a month, the Music Series features the very best in hip-hop, bluegrass, classical, R&B, folk, jazz, Motown and funk, among many more. 

Organized, curated and led by artist and musician, Brian Owens along with artist and pianist, Brian Woods, the series provides a variety of opportunities and growth to young creatives throughout the Saint Louis area who present a variety of musical genres from Missouri as well as classical music composed by local musicians. The Music Series also hosts the Next Move Creative Initiative, a vehicle bringing young creatives to the table to spark creative conversation using chess as the backdrop. The Music Series and Next Move Creative Initiative both complement and move the World Chess Hall of Fame forward in accomplishing its primary work to educate visitors about the cultural and artistic significance of chess and to continuously expand our audience.