Check Out This Move

St. Louis may have lost the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame to Arlington, Texas, but fortunately, it seems that when one hall of fame door closes, another one opens. That's right -- after Friday, September 9, St. Louis officially will be the home of the World Chess Hall of Fame, which has relocated to the Central West End (4652 Maryland Avenue; 314-367-9243 or www.worldchesshof.org) from Miami, Florida. Check and mate! To celebrate the big move and the grand opening, the hall welcomes one and all to explore the exhibits from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on opening day. You can check out displays that pay tribute to chess masters the world over, along with art that honors the game. We're talking chess boards with eclectic pieces, chess artworks (including a piece by Yoko Ono!), historic objects and more, all on display for your viewing pleasure. In addition to being able to get a first look at the one-of-a-kind venue, you also will have the opportunity to be a witness to a very special performance of the chess piano. Held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, this game of chess between Guido van der Werve, the artist/composer who designed the board/instrument, and Matthew Bengtson, a chess master and pianist, will result in the playing of the composer's Number Twelve: Chess Piano Concert in Three Movements. (Basically, every move on the chess piano results in a tone, the full game making up the entire composition. Members of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra also play along.) Tickets to the performance cost $10 to $20 -- a steal, considering this is only the second time this piece has been performed in the United States!
Fri., Sept. 9, 2011