Autograph Signing - 2019 St. Louis Rapid & Blitz / Sinquefield Cup Ceremonies
After attending the Sinquefield Cup last year, Laurel and I couldn't wait to return to St. Louis! Throughout the year we were thinking of ways we could reflect on our experience in years to come. We decided that we should try writing a blog about some fun (and random,) facts about the players and the culture that surrounds the sport. Since we're spectators (& avid chess players), and it happens to be the summer (not in school), we have a little extra time on our hands to speak to grandmasters who may be passing by. Odd but true, we just always seem to be at the right place at the right time! For this reason, we thought we ought to share our "pinch myself did this really happen" experiences. All year long Laurel and I point at random people walking down the street and whisper to each other, "Is that Magnus, is that Vishy, is that...?"
We hope our coverage keeps you wondering if the Stockfish-worthy chess players are people too...
GM Vichy on the St. Louis street
Autograph signing at the St. Louis Chess Club
Following the exciting St. Louis Rapid & Blitz tourney, the GM competitors held a public autograph signing at the St. Louis Chess Club.
Chess action outside of St. Louis Chess Club in the minutes leading up to the autograph signing
127th in the Lineup for Signage
The Sign Line
2019 St. Louis Rapid & Blitz Closing & Sinquefield Cup Opening Ceremonies
Thereafter, the private closing and opening ceremonies for the 2019 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz - 2019 Sinquefield Cup took place across the street at the World Chess Hall of Fame.
Chess Hall of Fame Chess Board
GM Display
GM Display
The star studded event included the GMs who played in the Rapid & Blitz, as well as the GMs to play in the upcoming Sinquefield Cup. Rex and Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield who sponsor and founded the tournaments welcomed the players and guests, and officially declared GM Levon Aronian (Armenia), the St. Louis Rapid & Blitz 2019 winner.
2019 Winner St.Louis Rapid & Blitz ~ GM Levon Aronian (Armenia)
Also present, the top broadcast commentators: GM Maurice Ashley, WGM Jennifer Shahade, and GM Yasser Seirawan.
Rex Sinquefield & GM Maurice Ashley
In addition to the chess elite, GM Alejandro Ramirez and GM Christian Chirila, along with Russian commentators, GM Evgeny Miroshnichenko, and IM Almira Skripchenko were also present as live audience commentators.
GM Alejandro Ramirez & WGM Tatev Abrahamyan
To accompany the cocktails for the adults, and mocktails for Laurel and I, there was great camaraderie and competition in the room; however the standout comment of the event was about food: rice to be exact!
Rice Recap
GM Ding Liren, "I started to worry about the rice I bring [sic] here"...
When asked about his performance in the Blitz and his potential in the Sinquefield Cup, Ding Liren offered, "So [for the] chess part, I was very pleased with my performance but we have been abroad for so long, and will stay here for another two weeks, I started to worry about rice I bring here". Maurice Ashley (chuckling) demanded of the room, "Do you think we could get Ding Liren some rice?!!!! We know some people..."
Maurice continued, "And how does the rice notwithstanding, how does this affect your chances to win the Sinquefield?!" Ding continued on the same thought, "I need the chance to get to some supermarkets". Maurice and the room exploded with laughter!
Coincidentally Ding's request for rice was actually right in line with the question Laurel and I posed to the GMs one hour earlier at the autograph signing, when we asked each GM about their favorite food.
Fave Food Q Time on the Line
We were curious to know each champions' food for thought. During the autograph signing, we only failed to get a response from two competitors: GM Yu Yangey and GM Ding Liren. An hour later, we indeed had our answer from Ding: Rice!
We were lucky enough to speak with Commentator and WGM Jennifer Shahade, who generously said she would secure the food answer for us from Yangey's translator. We later learned that Yangey's go to food is beef/meat.
Special thanks to Ms. Shahade - whose favorite food is sushi!
WGM Jennifer Shahade
On the sushi/rice front, if you follow the "Nakamura feed" on Twitch, it's common knowledge that Hikaru doesn't approve of cream cheese in his sushi. He explained to us exclusively that he has been to Japan many times and is a traditionalist. According to Hikaru, they do a lot of cream cheese with their sushi in Georgia [the country].
GMs' Fave Food Reveal
While Laurel and I got our chess boards signed, we simultaneously interviewed the players and commentators personally and asked each GM the question: What is your favorite food?
Talking Turkey (sandwiches) with GM Yasser Seirawan 
GM Nakamura's Sinquefield Breakfast
By Laurel Aronian & Jack Aronian
