The 2009 U.S. Chess Champion, Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, has agreed to participate in the Saint Louis Open, scheduled to be held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, April 10-11 in 2010.

Another GM, the CCSCSL’s own GM-in-Residence Ben Finegold, will also be in town for the event, which will make this the strongest field in the history of the Saint Louis Open.

The presence of these two chess giants is sure to attract interest from other masters around the region and, perhaps, the rest of the country. Rarely has Saint Louis attracted chess players of GM status to participate in local tournaments. In fact, there are not any GMs in the entire state of Missouri. Currently, the highest-rated Missouri resident is 12-time Missouri State Champion and International Master Michael Brooks (2462).

GM Finegold (2601) has accepted a position at the CCSCSL and is moving to Saint Louis in January. This will make him the highest-rated player in the state.

In 2005, at age 16, Nakamura (2824) became the youngest U.S. Champion since Bobby Fischer. He won the championship again in 2009 and will be looking to defend his title next year at the 2010 U.S. Championship.

The 2010 Saint Louis Open will have a guaranteed prize fund of $3,700. This will be a five-round, G/120, Swiss-paired tournament, and is sure to draw other top players from around the region.

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The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that opened in July 2008. Founded by retired investment fund manager Rex Sinquefield, it has more than 500 members. The club offers free classes, discounted tournament entry fees and discounted merchandise for club members. For more information, please visit www.saintlouischessclub.org, or call 314-361-CHESS.

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