Visit The World Chess Hall of Fame
The World Chess Hall of Fame is not some dusty attic where chess pieces go to die.
Nope!
It's a wild and wonderful place in the heart of St. Louis. If you've ever cared about rooks, pawns, or just the thrill of yelling "checkmate" at your cousin — you've got to see this place. You would not believe what they've managed to pack into this gorgeous three-story brick building.
I'm telling you now — if you walk in expecting a quiet little museum with some framed certificates, you're gonna have your socks knocked clean off by a glow-in-the-dark chess set and a comic-book queen.
So if you're going, go right. Here's how.
Wait… Did I Tell You This Place Started in a Basement?
Would you have ever imagined the chess hall of fame — like the hall of fame — started in a literal basement?
Back in 1986, E. Stephen Doyle (US Chess Federation President at the time) wanted a place to honor the greats.
Fast forward two years, and there it was: a small collection in New Windsor, New York. The collection bounced to Washington, D.C., then to Miami. They even named it after Sidney Samole, the guy who produced the first commercial chess computer. Then, in 2009, it shut down.
But hang on — St. Louis wasn't about to let that be the end.
Saint Louis Became The New Home
I bet you didn't think the Midwest would become the chess capital of the world, but here we are.
By 2011, the World Chess Hall of Fame reopened in St. Louis in all its three-story, 15,900-square-foot glory. The museum didn't just show off trophies and tournament tables — it became the beating heart of a chess campus.
What's Inside? Only Everything.
Let me just say this up top: Don't go thinking it's a boring museum.
This place is part time capsule, part art gallery, part fever dream. You've got:
- Fischer's actual chess table, worn down from the stress of literally carrying American chess on his back.
- A 1977 Chess Challenger computer that thought it could beat you (and probably still can).
- Ornate, bizarre, beautiful chess sets — like one where the pawns are squirrels, and the king is a golden retriever. Not even joking.
- Letters from legends like Capablanca.
- Boards played during Cold War-era matches where politics met pawns.
The exhibitions change constantly. You never know what you'll walk into, but it's never dull.
Okay, But What's Happening in 2025
Oh, you mean besides everything? Let's talk about what's already confirmed.
Featured Chess Sets 2025
The Hall reveals one new chess set each month — all handpicked and all completely different from the last. Some are historic, some just plain... but all come with stories.
Paws and Pawns (Ongoing)
Have you ever seen a bishop shaped like a hedgehog?
Because you're going to.
This exhibit showcases over 50 animal-themed chess sets, ranging from the adorable to the downright ridiculous. It's the most family-friendly thing in the building — and probably the most Instagrammed.
Charles Houska: Master of Play (Current – April 5, 2026)
This one's a full-on explosion of color. Local artist Charles Houska brings his boldest, brightest, most playful works — including chess-inspired art that makes your brain say "what?" and your eyes say "yes."
There's even a glow-in-the-dark set designed just for this show.
Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition (Aug 7, 2025 – April 19, 2026)
This might be the coolest thing happening next year.
Have you ever played a game where the chess pieces start in the wrong spots on purpose?
Or where there are three players? This show dives into all the rule-breaking versions of chess across history. It's interactive, it's unusual, and you'll want to try every single one.
Plus — Concerts, Talks, and Actual Grandmasters
You didn't think this place stopped at exhibitions, right?
A full summer music series is scheduled for 2025, featuring jazz, soul, and classical performances in the upstairs gallery and the park outside.
Oh — and if you want to meet the guy behind the "Master of Play" exhibit? Artist Charles Houska will be doing a live talk and tour.
And yes, you can absolutely watch live chess tournaments right here in the building.
So… How Do You Get There?
Let's get logistical, because the World Chess Hall of Fame isn't going to teleport you in like it's Hogwarts. It's tucked into the Central West End of St. Louis, which is basically the cool, artsy cousin of downtown. You'll find the Hall right at 4652 Maryland Avenue, which happens to be directly across from the Saint Louis Chess Club.
Yes, like literally across the street.
You can wave at one building from the other. It's that kind of setup — intimate, walkable, and kind of brilliant. The neighborhood is packed with cafés, bookstores, historic buildings, and a shocking number of people who know how to castle queenside without looking at the board.
Now let's talk parking. You can drive, but don't be surprised if the meter eats your quarters like a hungry hippo. There's metered parking on most nearby streets, or you can hit the paid lot next to Kingside Diner (handy tip: grab breakfast there first).
There's also a garage by the Schlafly Library, which is just a short walk away.
Public transit loves this area.
- Take the MetroLink to Central West End station.
- Walk 10 minutes south on Euclid Avenue.
Boom. You're there and possibly fitter than you were yesterday.
MetroBus routes also run through Lindell and Euclid, providing additional options. Either way, you're looking at a cheap and simple ride, with no risk of parking tickets.
Have You Booked a Hotel Yet? Because These Are Walkable
If you're coming in from out of town, there are some very decent hotel options nearby.
Chase Park Plaza is the big fancy one.
It's a seven-minute walk to the Hall, so yes — very convenient for spontaneous chess-inspired epiphanies.
You also have the Holiday Inn Express in Central West End, which is surprisingly solid.
Then there's the DoubleTree by Hilton, which is a short walk to everything.
Wherever you stay, you'll be close enough to walk. You do not want to miss walking past the Hall at night and seeing that giant chess king lit up like it's guarding the gates of checkmate heaven.
You're Not Going to Believe the Size of This Chess Piece
No really. You're not. Right outside the World Chess Hall of Fame, there's a 20-foot-tall King chess piece made from actual African sapele mahogany.
Let me repeat: TWENTY. FEET. TALL.
It's the largest chess piece in the world, certified by Guinness and everything.
It stands 6.1 meters high, weighs nearly 11,000 pounds, and honestly looks like it could crush a car if it got annoyed.
It's modeled after the classic Staunton king — so traditional, elegant, and slightly intimidating.
It glows like a beacon for every chess enthusiast in the Midwest. And if you think I'm exaggerating — wait until you see it in person. Right next to it is a giant playable chessboard.
On sunny days, it's packed with kids moving oversized plastic pieces like it's the most intense playground showdown of all time. And if you're lucky, you'll spot a grandparent teaching their grandkid how to move a bishop.
How Much Does It Cost? I Hope You're Sitting Down
Okay, ready?
It's free.
Just walk in, and boom — you're in a museum filled with priceless chess boards and historic artifacts.
Now, they do suggest a donation — $3 per person or $5 per family — and honestly, if you've just spent twenty minutes staring at Bobby Fischer's game table, it feels criminal not to drop a few bucks in the box.
That's the vibe here: chess is for everyone, not just people who say things like "I remember Spassky's Sicilian like it was yesterday."
When Should You Go?
Here's the full breakdown of hours so you can plan your obsession accordingly:
- Monday & Tuesday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday to Friday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (yes, night chess museum vibes)
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
That means you can basically wander on any day of the week, including your weirdly underwhelming Wednesday afternoons.
The only thing that shuts it down is major holidays — so maybe don't try to go on Christmas morning while holding your new board under one arm and hope in the other.
Also, the place is fully accessible.
They want you to move through the space comfortably, whether you're a stroller-wielding parent or someone with mobility aids.
[product skus="MENWVIG40,MENGIANT25-N,BOXPREMBMLet's Wrap This Up — But Not Before a Few Power Moves
By now, you're probably like, "Okay, yes, I need to go. Obviously." And yeah, you really do.
The World Chess Hall of Fame is a full-blown experience. It seamlessly blends history, design, competition, emotion, humor, and quirkiness into one gorgeous, welcoming space. You can laugh at squirrel pawns, tear up reading about Fischer's final match, listen to jazz under chandeliers, and go full detective trying to follow a Magnus Carlsen endgame on screen.
You don't even have to play chess to get it. Just walk in and look around. You'll feel something. That's kind of the magic.
Also: Don't skip the gift shop.
Trust me.
If you've ever wanted a chess-themed mug that doesn't make you look like you're in a college dorm in 1997, this is the place.