Saint Louis Chess Club

Saint Louis Chess Club contains an outdoor playing area, a merchandise store, multiple second-floor playing halls, and a basement which they use for broadcasts or a skittles room. It is the focal point of a rather small downtown area adjoining some eateries and a hotel. Friends and I have visited it on several occasions and met some of the many friendly faces who compete and teach classes and lessons there.

I'll need to search my game scores; what I recall is playing well in the opening, getting an advantage in the middlegame, and struggling to convert a close endgame.

Daniel Dugovic (1884) of Illinois delivered the only major upset in round one by waffle-stomping National Master Ron Luther (2216).

http://www.uschess.org/index.php/April-/Four-Lead-the-Saint-Louis-Open.html

Photo credit: /dave/null