World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries

This place is absolutely awesome and the best part is that it is free. The museum has a surprisingly rich collection of chess sets and boards from different parts of the world and across various time periods. Walking through the exhibits brought back many memories of my younger days when I used to play a lot more chess than I do now. Many visitors also mention the impressive giant chess piece outside and I agree that it is a great photo spot and sets the tone perfectly. Inside, the educational videos are engaging. The staff were friendly and helpful which made the experience even better. There is also a nice little gift shop with interesting items for chess lovers. Overall this is a wonderful place to visit whether you are a casual player or a chess enthusiast. Highly recommended.

Our family spent hours here! Love chess! Gift shop is so cool, couldn't decide on what to buy! I've been rocking my World Chess Hall of Fame gloves all winter long. Till next time St. Louis! Thank you!

This past Sunday we checked out the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis and it turned out to be such a fun and unique stop! I went with my wife Diana, her son Santiago, and his girlfriend Juliana, and we all had a great time wandering through the exhibits and snapping pics with the giant chess pieces. Diana, being a dentist, loved seeing Dr. Carolina Blanco’s contributions to the game (dentist + chess master = super inspiring). Santiago and Juliana had fun with the colorful art, and we all left with a new appreciation for how creative and deep the game of chess really is. Oh, and the best part? Admission and parking were both free on Sunday—can’t beat that! If you’re in St. Louis, this place is definitely worth a visit for a fun and different kind of experience.

This was a cute little stop for our kids as they both love playing chess. There are three floors of exhibits. Floor one features the artwork of a single artist has many pieces related to chess. The second d floor is all about chess references in literature and features some novelty boards, such as Winnie the Pooh, Beatrix Potter, Harry Potter, and Moby Dick themed boards. There is also a display of chess related books and an area for you to play a game of chess. The third floor features variants of traditional chess boards - various 3 person, 3-dimensional, 4-person boards, and even a representation of the hologram chess board from Star Wars: A New Hope. There were also a few variant boards on table along with rule sheets for the variations. There is a small gift shop in the museum. Outside is the world's largest chess piece as well as a large outdoor chessboard to play.

I went with my mom and we loved it. It's exactly what you think, cool chessbords, and an opportunity to play Chess, 3d chess, and 3 and 4 player chess. So, some non traditional chess giving new players an edge.

Three floors of chess stuff! We arrived near closing time and kinda ran through two floors. One floor was already locked -Chess In Literature. I found it a stretch to link the artists with chess but they seemed to have a link. The gift shop was fairly priced. They have some super interesting and intricate chess boards that are worth every penny if you want to spend a pretty one. Overall a fun free experience in a cute neighborhood with some dining experiences nearby.

A hidden gem in the university district of st Louis! The staff were so friendly here. It was such a great time to play chess and learn more about it.

We were in town for a chess tournament for my daughters friend and found out this GEM was in St. Louis also! It is worth going to look at especially if you are a chess player!

We were visiting STL for the weekend and my 11 year old wanted to visit a museum. As a budding chess enthusiast, he was beyond excited when I told him about this museum. It's smaller, located in a great part of the city (right next to a unique Starbucks). The muse has some fun displays and a great little gift shop. We spent about 30 mins in the museum and bought a traveling chess set from the gift shop (which we use all the time!) I was amazed the museum was free! They do accept donations. If you're looking for something free to kill time, check out the World Chess Hall of Fame!

Any and all lovers of Chess should visit this quirky little spot! They are even home the worlds largest chess piece!! It's a cute little spot to visit with friendly staff and fun things to kick out as souvenir! There was so much to pick from too. I highly suggest giving this place a try when they are open for some serious yummy treats down the road .

The World Chess Hall of Fame is great place to go for any chess player. There are different exhibits featuring different aspects of chess. There are various chess boards and pieces on display and chess boards to test your skills on. Then on the top floor is the Hall of Fame. I wish that there was more on display than just the most recent inductees. There is a gift shop on the bottom floor. The restrooms are are very nice. And the best part is that it is free!

Are you a chess player, or do you have a chess player in your life? Then the World Chess Hall of Fame is a must-visit when you're in St. Louis. Even if you have no interest in chess, you should visit to see the World's Largest Chess Piece, according to the Guinness World Records as of 2018. Mamma mia, it's a big one! It's sitting outside of the building, so even if you visit when the museum is closed, you can take a look at it. The World Chess Hall of Fame is free to visit! It's a small museum, but it's well curated, and you'll see lots of interesting chess boards and pieces. They also have permanent and traveling exhibits, and when we visited, we saw one that was about Booby Fischer, one of the most famous chess players in the United States. There are three floors of exhibits to explore at this museum. When we visited, they were working on updating the exhibit on the third floor, so we didn't go up there. Be sure to do the bingo game / scavenger hunt that the museum offers for children, where you check off different things that you spot along the way as you explore this cool museum.

Nice little museum. There's no entry fee but they do accept donations. There's also a little gift shop. I'm not a chess affecianado but it was nice to see the fun different sets on display. Not something I'd drive out of the way for, but certainly worth the stop when in the neighborhood. Every employee was pleasant and helpful. There are also two sets kids (or adults) can play (one in a blacklit room).

Regardless you're a fan of chess, this tiny chess museum is a great place to visit, it's free entry and there's plenty of fascinating chess sett to see and explore. The staffs are great too, very approachable and friendly. It's walking distance to the famous basilica church.

Free Museum that's just as much of an art museum as it is a monument to the world chess hall of fame. There's multiple levels of truly distinct and cool exhibits dedicated and themed to chess and its history. Different boards, a really nice kids area for the parents out there. A gift shop, restrooms throughout, lively scenery and even more lovely people there to guide you and answer questions. Overall very nice place to go for a free date day in the heart of the CWE.

The World Chess Hall of Fame is heaven for chess players. You can't miss it with the giant outdoor chess set. Unfortunately I didn't get any outdoor pics as I was there on a frigid evening after dark. Well, I admit, I'm not much of a chess player. But, the Chess Hall offers so much more. I was there for a fabulous musical performance. This took place on the 3rd floor, no worries, there is an elevator. Tickets are reasonably priced and include a drink of your choice, wine, beer, or soda. It is a small intimate venue and tickets sell out quickly, so order promptly if there is a concert you want to attend. I'll definitely return and look forward to warmer weather to enjoy al fresco dining at a nearby establishment. There are parking garages nearby, as well as metered street parking.

This was a great pit stop in the city! It is free to enter! The World Chess Hall of Fame is located in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. It is a cultural center that celebrates the history and significance of chess, featuring a variety of exhibits, art installations, and historical artifacts related to the game. The Hall of Fame also hosts events, lectures, and educational programs aimed at promoting the game of chess. Its location in St. Louis, a city known for its vibrant chess community and frequent chess tournaments, makes it a significant landmark for chess enthusiasts.

Love coming here for their pop up bar Jingle! Decorated beautifully and so fun to have drinks/ snacks and play chess. We did their "naughty" bar and for $15 got a complimentary drink and appetizer. This time it was mac and cheese bites which were delicious. Also super cool to check out all the chess sets they have from all over the world.

The World Chess Hall of Fame was a cute afternoon activity we just happened to stumble upon, while walking through the neighborhood. The museum offered a fun gift shop with an array of fancy and custom chess sets, as well as innovative exhibits like "Sound Moves", which highlighted the convergence of music and the game. We even found a board on the top floor, where we were able to enjoy the space and try our skills against each other. The World Chess Hall of Fame was a fun and creative way to spend the day.

First visit is free. They have a membership option if you want to participate in matches. There was a competition going on while we visited. Very intense games. Shows some history about where chess originated. They apparently have two locations but they're within 3-5 min of each other. I'm no chess expert but I can appreciate the strategies and the game as a whole. Cool place to go by if you're visiting St. Louis.

This is a free museum and a must stop destination. Most of us probably don't think too much about chess but here's an opportunity to learn a ton about the history and significance of each piece and to read about those who dedicate themselves to learning the craft? Art? Game? The pieces themselves can vary greatly & basically after visiting here I'm convinced literally anything can be chess pieces or a board. Some of these boards were crazy intricate and must've taken months to make and some were little soup cans The visit won't take too long but you can stay and play chess or talk to the staff because they were all so friendly. They have various boards to play and giant pieces outside for play/display. Parking is street and I think a deck is near too. Free meter on Sundays. 2 hours was $3.30 with park mobile app Lots of restaurants nearby for afterwards

Great museum for those who like chess or like to read about chess. The World's Largest Chess piece outside the museum is a site to behold -- weighs over 10,000 pounds! The current exhibit when I visited was about Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky -- pretty interesting history. Restrooms are located on all 3 floors and quite clean (the 3rd floor restroom is probably the least used from what I could tell).

What's not to love about this place. Is it a little nerdy? Yup! Is it a little boring yeah. It's about chess. But did I come here? Why yes I did. We came here so we can say we went to the world hall of fame for chess. Though it did not seem to be what I thought it would be, it was still a good place to attend. 1st floor has chess boards from around he world and decades. 2nd floor is like dining chess sets. 3rd floor is dedicated fo past champions and current. I wouldn't come back lol. One and done.

This was a great, but small museum. The staff was very helpful. The exhibit was about Bobby Fischer and his match against Spassky. It was very informative and I learned many interesting facts.

The building has three floors of various chess sets and information on championship games and players, complete with gift shop. The chess sets were from standard to artsy. There was info on a handful of world chess expert players. They had 2 videos on Bobby Fischer, the only American to with the world chess championship. If you're really into chess, could easily be a 2-hour visit; if you're a casual observer - more 60-90 minutes.

FREE museum? Yes please! Came on a weekend afternoon and was surprised that there wasn't anyone there but our party. Favorite Things: - The 3rd floor is currently dedicated to the intersection between America and chess which is kind of surprising that there is this connection, but if you are a political science buff like me you will really like it. - There's also a free interesting chess piece game that you can play of the 3rd floor. - Take a picture with the world's largest chess piece outside the museum! Overall, great museum for a rainy day. You can expect maybe to walk through the whole thing within an hour. Make sure to check out the other cool things at the Central West End!

Cute little museum that's worth a stop if you have time. The exhibit when I went was made up of past exhibits. Obviously it's chess-based but it was a nice look into history and art and how chess has played a role.

We came here for the massive chess piece outside. But there was a free museum within the doors so we said why not and went in. You have to get your temperature taken at the front desk and in you go. It's 3 floors of stairs but there is an elevator available. It's nothing that I expected and honestly I didn't understand a lot of it but that's a me problem haha. If you like the game of chess I would assume you would enjoy this a lot. It was very clean and well put together in and outside! There is a gift shop downstairs and bathrooms as well. The only downside was lack of parking. As far as I know (out of towner) there wasn't a lot, just street parking.

I loved the Chess Hall of Fame! I've been in STL for 5 years and never been until my parents came to visit for the holiday. Everything was so interesting and fun to learn about. From videos to memorabilia, everything was engaging and a fun activity for the family!

Cool museum to check out when in the city. 3 stories with 4 rooms full of all kinds of boards and history. Get to see various types of chess boards from around the world or other various memorabilia. Wall murals showcasing grand masters from various times in history from all over the world.

If you are a lover of all things chess this a must see! Like literally- this is the chess capitol of the US! They are home to the WORLDS LARGEST CHESS PIECE as well as the chess hall of fame. The lower level currently has an abstract art display that is beautifully vivid- full of life and color. The second floor currently celebrates a photographer who captured kings and queens of chess, pop culture, politics, and even literal royalty. Our first visit, I must say, was the most satisfying as they had an array of chess sets from across the world and time. A part of me thinks they should have a glimpse of that at all times.

We enjoyed this tremendously. Three floors of various chess sets and information on championship games and players. The chess sets were so amazing from the vintage to the themed. We highly recommend taking the time to visit this museum.

Beautiful and free museum right across from the chess club. As of this review they have had 50 exhibitions so there's always something new on display there. Also has a great gift shop for the chess lovers in your life.

Full disclosure: I'm not a chess player. But my husband is. So when we visited St. Louis this past weekend, we stopped by for a quick visit. It's a small building but with three floors. The hall of fame is on the top floor. I was really impressed by the technology - they had these enormous touch screens that allow you to explore the history and backgrounds of people inducted into the hall of fame throughout history (And to play games they played)! On the two lower floors, they have temporary exhibits. When we visited, they had an art exhibit and a photography exhibit! It's free (but they do accept donations), and they have a great little gift shop on the first floor as well! Don't miss the largest chess piece in the world outside the front door entrance! Check it out and nerd out!

Chess - either of a casual or serious contestant should take time jaunting about the museum here. It was curated so delightfully. If you don't believe me go look at the porcelain frog chess set! The staff was incredibly informative and kind. Covid protocols were straightforward and eased by technology. Might I add the gift shop was a splendid addition. I left a happier patron of the arts.

How fun this place is! Don't worry if you don't play chess. The rotating exhibits are fun and free ( and I get lots of compliments on jewelry that I buy at the gift shop). With concerts, dress designers, art classes, book clubs... you have to check it out. And the world's largest chess piece is right outside. A hidden gem in St Louis

This is such a whimsical museum and definitely to see if you're a chess fanatic. Pros: + World's largest Chess piece - it's in the front of this hall + Super cool! + They have a large chess board in front - great for photos and to play live chess. Bring your friends! + Donation based! Cons: - Closes a little early. Be sure to check the times.

Fun, unexpected, educational. Family gave me a hard time about choosing this is a place to go on our girls weekend. Turned out to be one of the funnest places we stopped. Very artistic and well-maintained displays. We all had our favorite sets.

After walking past the World Chess Hall of Fame a handful of times, I finally decided to stop in while staying down the street at the Chase Park hotel. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the beautiful building, giant chess board, and world's largest chess piece drew me in. This free museum is a few floors filled with chess sets, chess-based art, and historical chess info. There's a gift shop on the first floor, and the theme is carried through the stairwells. It sounds a little stuffy, but it's actually a really pretty space with diverse pieces that will interest a variety of people, regardless of one's interest in chess. On my visit the featured exhibits were Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Open Files, and Designing Chessman. I got to see some cool sets by Man Ray, Dalí, and others, in addition to those made from some unconventional materials. I went on a weekday morning and was the only person in any room at any given time. They have docents posted in each room, and each one followed me around. Kind of off-putting, but I assume less noticeable when you're not alone. Definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in the CWE!

Arrived at 4pm on a Thursday. Employee said 'welcome' and said we can take a look in the gift shop, so we did. Then later she pointed out a couple of free posters we could take if we wanted. Then after going through the gift shop, I asked another employee up front "so, whats the deal". He replied that this is a bad time because of the three museum rooms, two are being remodeled and the third is closed for a private event that they are getting ready for at 6pm. So we came to the Chess Museum and all we saw was a gift shop. No signs when we walked in and no one told us about the closings until we asked. Their website says there is an event at 6pm, but mentioned nothing about the museum being closed. So I strongly recommend you call them before you go, as their website did not indicate the closures.

It really baffles me that this is the one place in St. Louis that is not heavily advertised and flaunted. The World Chess Hall of Fame, for crying out loud! I bet any city in the WORLD would love to have these kind of bragging rights! Did I mention the world's largest chess piece and set? I've seen maybe one or two billboards here and there around town, but that's about it. I know that chess is not a thing for everyone, and that STL is a city that is all about hockey and mostly baseball. But whatever.... Alright, so on with the review...the museum is really cool. The special exhibits were focused on Painted Pieces (Chess art) and the Staunton Standard. The Painted Pieces portion was really cool, as it was like going through an art museum. The Staunton Standard was a historical exhibit that talks about the evolution of the modern chess set that is used today. In that room, they had the virtual reality version of chess which was available for anyone to play (with supervision). On the third floor was the actual Hall of Fame, which of course was about all of the inductees. There are three large computer screens where you can scroll, touch and learn about each inductee. You can also learn the world culture surrounding chess, which I found very interesting. I don't know how to play chess. Period. I wouldn't mind taking it up as a hobby though, as from what I hear, it really expands your mind. Come check out this museum about the legendary game, even if you don't care or know how to play it. They have a nice gift shop to go along with it. Oh, and the photo opportunities in front of the chess piece too!

I am not a chess fan but I still loved this Hall of Fame! Really interesting, artistic exhibits.

I really enjoyed this free museum. The exhibits were well done and informative. I know they rotate, so I'm glad I chanced in to see some really beautiful sets from the collection of Mr. & Mrs. Dean. Another floor had an exhibit from a chess art exhibition from the 40s. That was interesting, as well; even more so if you read the descriptions on some of the pieces. Not a place for little ones, unless they're signed up for toddler Tuesday (I saw the sign, don't know what it is). Well spent afternoon. Super nice staff.

After stopping in at Starbucks my friend and I decided to play a game of chess. They have a large chess game outside. Where the pieces are about a foot and a half tall. It's a great and fun way to spend an afternoon! The game is definitely more challenging since you have to walk around to see all of the available in possible plays. It was a great time and a great place. I'm so happy there something like this in St. Louis! Going into the store they have many different kinds and types of chess games. If you are looking For something unique and fun to do with you and someone else this is a great place is swing by and check out an a in a cute location.

Beautiful building and wonderful M. C. Escher art show. The gift shop was also fun to explore.

This is a great place to visit if you are a chess fan and even if you are not. There is a real focus on Bobby Fisher the US prodigy taking on Boris Spassky the Russian world champion . There are 3 floors of exhibits. The 3rd floor has a Gary Kasparov, a recent work champion, Russian now American citizen who frequently comments on current events in Russia . There are some really good posters you can get free in the first floor and a gift shop with all kinds of chess related items. Across the street there is a building where you can play chess or watch current matches of significance.

This is for the monthly music series. Tickets for this event are $10.00 per person. If you are a senior citizen, the tickets are $5.00. For this amount you get a glass of wine (white) and they have a wonderful array of hors d'oeuvres. The best part is the music. We have been to the classical guitar concert and last night the Malbec Quartet's performance of Johannes Brahms. Upcoming performances are The Trombones of the Saint Louis Symphony, The 442's (an acoustic instrumental ensemble) and Jazz St. Louis with Phil Dunlap. Held on the third floor they have an elevator in the back that will take you up if you have trouble navigating the stairs. If you are a chess player, the World Hall of Fame must be a dream of yours. I do not know anything about chess and I found the exhibit Kings, Queens & Castles fascinating. There is one by Yoko Ono that is very stark. On the third floor are all the people who have been inducted into the Chess Hall of Fame. Last night I noticed the picture of Ben Franklin. Would I come back here again? Yes, I'm planning on attending the rest of the music series. And if you're into chess, you have to come here. It's recognized by the large chess piece out front. There is also a little boutique to shop in.

I can review this, right? If we have a listing for the Giant Amoco Sign and San Antonio has one for their World's Biggest Cowboy Boots, we can have a listing for a chess piece! Dedicated May 7, 2012, the king chess piece sits outside the World Chess Hall of Fame in the Central West End. It's 14.5 feet high and weighs 2,280 pounds. It's been certified by the Guiness World Records as the biggest chess piece in the world. It's almost three times my height, but at about 21 times my weight. Thank God. Wouldn't it be hilarious if it was a QUEEN?

First impression: The World Chess Hall of Fame is a gorgeous new space in the heart of the Central West End. This new center, directly across the street from its sister facility, the Chess and Scholastic Center of St. Louis, is a sight to behold: it hosts three floors of chess-related paraphernalia sure to wow newbie and International Grandmaster alike. The first and second floors currently hold the Hall's rotating collections, which are slated to change every three months or so. Currently, the first floor holds a variety of chess-related art installations, including a magnificent human-sized chessboard with costumes designed for a live chess performance by Freudian actors. A philosophically interesting piece by Yoko Ono is here too, mirrored in larger scale by a similar exhibit in the Contemporary Art Museum also here in St. Louis. The second floor contains several dozen historic chessboards on display that take the viewer through chess's evolution from India through Persia to Europe and the rest of Asia. The sheer variety across the boards and pieces is really incredible. On the third floor, you'll find the actual Hall of Fame, which features plaques dedicated to its many honorees. The Hall of Fame was situated in Florida before it made its recent move to St. Louis. A small gift shop on the ground floor contains knick knacks related to chess by varying degrees. It's worth going out of your way to see the World Chess Hall of Fame. The staff is friendly and outgoing, the decor and layout are aesthetically appealing, and the $3 suggested donation is a steal for the several hours or more you could spend in this historic Central West End building. Enjoy your visit!

Cool place. I really enjoyed the world's largest chess piece. Across the street people were playing pickup chess games. It was amazing to watch

Almost more of an art museum than a hall of fame, this is a cool, free attraction in the CWE in STL. I wish there had been more of a focus on history, but this is a cool way to spend an hour or so in the "Chess District" of St Louis.

I've been to the World Chess Hall of Fame a few time and my experiences have varied! Only one being particularly bad. I do think it depends on who is working. If you are reading this review and don't have children or don't plan on bringing children, then pass on by and take a trip to the Hall of Fame! It is awesome. However, if you do have children I would caution going. My little brother and sister are starting to play/get interested in chess so I took them here. Note that these kids weren't bad, running around, or doing anything obnoxious. Nor did any of the staff working say anything to the kids. Nonetheless, we did feel very un-welcomed. At one point, a staff ignored my brother who asked a question about a trophy. Then, a gentlemen proceeded to follow us to every floor. It was very uncomfortable. We ended up going across the street to the Chess Club were the entire staff was welcoming to everyone in our group. I give 4 stars because of the other times I have been in the Hall of Fame and the exhibits are cool. Not Kid Friendly.

He was reading my mind. "I'm going to creepily follow you up the stairs, now," said the unassuming guy sporting glasses and absolutely no garment of clothing identifying him as an employee of the Hall of Fame. So I asked if he worked there. Yes. And then he creepily followed me up to the second floor. I digress. I visited this place because my seven year-old is on a chess team and I've suddenly been thrust into the position of Chess Dad, so naturally, when visiting the chess capital of the world (er, that's probably somewhere in Russia, they've been check-mating our collective behinds over a century, now), I'm obligated to visit and buy her things from the gift shop. So that's the first thing I did. Wonderful gift shop. Noting that I had some down time, I decided to peruse the free museum/fame floors, and that, dear reader, is when the creepy lurking began. I was the only visitor in the building. I've never felt so self-conscious in my life. There was a young woman in the Victor Vasarely exhibition (brilliant stuff, absolutely worth your time) who stood 10-20 feet behind me at all times, and she didn't play around the way most museum security guards play, she wasn't pretending that she wasn't paying too much attention, she was staring at me. Nonstop. And wandering over to me and stepping back. And suddenly, what would normally be an enjoyable, unhurried visit to an exhibit became incredibly intense, the precise opposite of what it should have felt like. So be warned, Lone Ranger, they have no qualms creeping you in this place. That said, once I kind of got over the Somebody's Watching Me vibe, I really enjoyed the actual Hall of Fame on the third floor, and politely pretended to take fleeting interest in the fashion exhibit on the second. I hope that creep doesn't read this review, he was just doing his creepy job.

This place is amazing and free. I was here September 16. Three floors of incredible exhibits. Floor One: Marcel Dzama creations. I didn't know you could create a sculpture from fruit juice boxes -- and somebody calls it art. But it has occurred. There were other offerings, but those juice box sculptures kinda blew my mind. This exhibit is here through October 18, 2015. Floor Two: ENCORE! -- Ivory chess sets from the Jon Crumiller Collection. I thought all chess sets were alike. Not so. A walrus can be a pawn. A whale can be a king. The carving. The intricacy is absolutely astounding. This exhibit is here through October 18, 2015. Floor Three: The Hall of Fame featuring chess during WWII and how soldiers carried chess sets around with them. That is nuts. So many ways to strap a chess board onto your uniform. They were small. But they worked. This exhibit is here through January 17, 2016. And The Hall of Fame was interesting. Boris Spassky, Bobby Fischer, Ben Franklin on the walls. Probably four women, some who broke the "male" line quite early. The reception gentleman knew everything about the museum, and told us what would be on each floor. There was a docent on each floor who greeted us. They've got radio things, so they tell their co-workers when somebody is coming up on the elevator. They open the door to the exhibit, greet you, give you information and guide you around the floor. They change out their exhibits every six months. They have Family Days to introduce children to chess. I had NO idea that St. Louis was such a chess mecca. What a treasure.

Based on the reviews of other yelpers, I was expecting a great experienece... However this was awful and I'm left wanting to ask for my money back. Unlike what another yelper mentioned - there's a $10 entry fee - and it's not worth it. The exhibits are tiny and barely related to chess. Currrently, floors one and two are FASHION EXHIBITS that they say are related to the concept of Queens. Pass. Enjoy the big chess piece on the front lawn and keep walking!

I'm a chess enthusiast, so anything chess-related automatically has my interest. Some nice chess sets and chess-related artifacts on the first 2 floors. The actual Hall of Fame is on the 3rd floor. Worth a visit, but you can get through the whole place in less than an hour. Here's the problem with this place. Security follows you around like you're going to be running out the front door with their displays. I've been to museums and art galleries all over the world with priceless works of art. Security is present but you never really notice it and one priceless item in many places is probably worth many times as much as the entire contents of the Chess Hall of Fame. By the time I got to the 3rd floor, I started repeating movements back and forth just to yo-yo the unfriendly young woman keeping tabs on me a bit. Worth seeing but I ain't going back.

If you are a chess player, or even interested in chess, you must come here. The details, the fun shapes, characters, the materials of each chess sets are eye opening! While you are here, don't forget to walk across the street to the chess club. People in St.Louis are lucky to have a such elegant chess club!