The 2021 St. Louis Rapid and Blitz Commemorative (Sinquefield Cup Series) by “House of Staunton”.
What they did…
The 2021 St. Louis Rapid and Blitz Tournament marked the fourth Super GM event held in Saint Louis, showcasing the talents of ten of the world’s top chess players. This elite roster included Wesley So, Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, Peter Svidler, Liem Le, Richard Rapport, Sam Shankland, Leinier Dominguez, Jeffery Xiong, and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. The tournament has been a cornerstone event since 2017, serving as the final rapid and blitz competition in the 2021 Grand Chess Tour (GCT) schedule. Held just before the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, the tournament promised a thrilling, fast-paced chess spectacle, with the best players in the world competing in the Chess Capital of the United States. The participants vied for a prize fund of $150,000, battling through nine rounds of rapid chess and 18 rounds of blitz chess.
The chess pieces used during the tournament were a reproduction of the earliest Staunton chessmen produced between 1849-1850, now featuring the stunning new Camaratta Knight design. In adherence to USCF and FIDE tournament rules, the chessmen were crafted with a 3.75″ King Height, specifically designed for use on DGT Project Electronic Sensor Boards. This collaboration between the Chess Club and Scholastic Chess Center of St. Louis and the House of Staunton resulted in the creation of the 2021 St. Louis Rapid and Blitz Commemorative Chessmen.
This limited edition chess set, with only 10 units available, offers chess enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own a piece of chess history. Each set comes with a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity, personally signed by all the players in the tournament. Given the exclusivity of these sets, they are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, making them a highly sought-after collector’s item.
The 2021 St. Louis Rapid and Blitz Tournament was a high-stakes, exhilarating event featuring some of the greatest chess players on the planet. The tournament’s official chess set, designed with meticulous attention to detail and historical accuracy, offers a tangible connection to this historic event. Whether you’re a chess player, a collector, or a fan of the game, this set represents a rare and valuable piece of chess history.
My opinion of this design…
This modern chess set has quickly become a personal favorite for playing traditional games of chess. The tactile pleasure of holding the pieces and the satisfaction of checkmating the opposing King make this set a joy to play with. The design is perfectly executed, capturing the essence of what makes a chess set not just functional but also a work of art. Frank Camaratta, renowned for his expertise in chess set design, has truly outdone himself with this one. Every detail, from the balance of the pieces to their aesthetic appeal, is spot on.
While it’s tempting to use this set for all types of chess, including fast-paced Blitz games, there’s a reluctance to do so out of concern for preserving the integrity of these finely crafted pieces. This set is simply too precious to risk damage during the intense, rapid moves of a Blitz game. Instead, it shines in conventional play, where each move can be savored, and the beauty of the pieces can be fully appreciated.
If you ever get the opportunity to play with a chess set of this caliber, seize it. The experience is nothing short of wonderful. The craftsmanship, design, and overall feel of this set make it a standout choice for any serious chess player who values both the game and the artistry of the pieces they play with.
