-PRESS RELEASE- *Saint Louis to Host America’s Chess Elite in October 2026 The nation’s top chess players are set to compete in America’s most prestigious events: the 2026 U.S. Chess Championship and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship. Hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club (STLCC), each field will feature 12 elite players competing over the board from Oct. 7–23, with Round 1 beginning Oct. 9, for a total prize fund of more than $400,000. *Saint Louis Chess Conference Back and Better in 2026 The Saint Louis Chess Club, the U.S. Chess Federation and the Kasparov Chess Foundation will present the second annual Saint Louis Chess Conference, taking place Oct. 22–24, 2026 at the Chase Park Plaza in Saint Louis. *Chess Legends to be Inducted into U.S. and World Chess Halls of Fame October will bring another celebration of chess excellence to Saint Louis, with new members inducted into both the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame and World Chess Hall of Fame. *October Championships Bookended by Legendary Clutch Chess Event The month concludes with Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown running Oct. 27-29, featuring World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura, five-time U.S. Champion Fabiano Caruana, 2026 Grand Chess Tour champion Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and 2026 Candidates Tournament winner and World Champion challenger Javokhir Sindarov. The players will face off in an 18-game rapid double round-robin competition for $425,000 in prizes, including daily win bonuses and a Champion’s Jackpot. Full article: saintlouischessclub.org/news…