On April 20th, in the Knights Room of St. Louis University, Shannon McPherron, son of Tom and Sharon McPherron, 6171 Kingsbury Ave., and a sophomore at St. Louis University High School, was one of 50 chess players who challenged Russian Grand Master, Tigran Petrosian. Petrosian, Who was World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969, is currently considered the fourth-best chess player in the world.
All the games began at 7:00 p.m. and Petrosian walked around the circle of tables, making moves as he went, until 11:30 p.m. Shannon was the only player who was left. Of the other 49 players, only one had beaten Petrosian and six games ended in ties. Both Petrosian and Shannon had developed strong defenses and neither player had any clear path for attack. Because of this, Petrosian offered Shannon a draw after 48 moves. This made Petrosian’s record for the evening 42 wins, 1 loss and 7 draws.
Petrosian was on his first tour of the United States and his stop here was sponsored by the St. Louis University Chess Club and the Bi-State Chess Conglomerate, St. Louis’ only chess store, which is located at 6252 Delmar. George Thompson, owner of the store worked hard to get the 50 opponents for Petrosian lined up. This was nearly twice the number Petrosian played on any previous stops on the tour. With this exhibition over, George will go back to selling chess sets and books, giving lessons, and talking to the people who come in to play chess there. Store hours are: Tues. – Fri. 12:30 to 9:30, and Saturday from 10:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Originally published in The Paper, May 1978.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1978_05.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
