By Stephen Deere

In a scene reminiscent of a free-agent signing ceremony, one of the world's top chess players stood amid a small crowd at the St. Louis Chess Club, a few feet from where his performance last year left commentators searching for superlatives. But instead of outmaneuvering opponents, Fabiano Caruana was shaking hands with local dignitaries and making small talk over cocktails. A spoon clinking against crystal interrupted the chatter.

The announcement — that Caruana, the world's No. 5 player, is moving to St. Louis — seemed almost inevitable in light of the 23-year-old's declaration in May that he was switching allegiances from the Italian to the U.S. Chess Federation.

Read more

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/