The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis has hired its first GM-in-residence. Grandmaster Ben Finegold, who was an analyst for the 2009 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, will start in January.

Print and online article covering the touching personal history and the promising future of “Chess for Life” – a new program sponsored by the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis agreed to sponsor the U.S. team in the 2010 World Team Chess Championship to be held in January in Turkey. Rex Sinquefield, founder of the CCSCSL, pledged an undisclosed sum of money to secure the sponsorship.

Live news broadcast interview with Anna Zatonskih after she won the 2009 US Women’s Chess Championship

The 2009 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, already had a clear winner going into the final round, but there was heavy drama in the battle for money, place and qualification for other tournaments.

Professional chess player Battsetseg Tsaagan discusses her play style, the 2009 US Women’s Championship and her goals in competitive chess

Anna Zatonskih clinched her second consecutive U.S. Women’s Chess Championship by defeating Sabina Foisor in round eight of the 2009 event. With one round remaining, she has acquired a near-perfect 7.5 out of 8 points and will win the record $15,000 first prize. No other woman has more than 5.5 so Tuesday’s final round will be for posterity, not place. Zatosnkih said she will still try hard.

Alisa Melekhina, the youngest player in the 2009 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, talks with FM Mike Klein about her goals for this tournament, life as a chess celebrity and the crossovers between chess and ballet.

Sabina-Francesca Foisor talks about her chess games, the 2009 U.S. Women’s Championship and life as a young chess player from a family of competitive chess players.

Top-seeded Anna Zatonskih moved one step closer to winning the 2009 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship by defeating third-seeded Rusudan Goletiani in round seven. The tournament is being held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Zatonskih is still one point ahead of her nearest rival, as Camilla Baginskaite kept pace by also winning her game.