Miami is generally known more for fun in the sun than serious intellectual pursuits, but the city still has its brainy side. To wit, this beachy destination is also home to the World Chess Hall of Fame and Sidney Samole Chess Museum, a mecca, of sorts, for fans of this fascinating board game. The museum has exhibits dedicated to history's greatest players, from Benjamin Franklin to Bobby Fischer, including memorabilia from the greatest chess matches in history. Witness, for example, the table and chairs used in the classic 1972 match between Fischer and the Russian Boris Spassky (see video) in which Fischer captured the World Chess Championship in Rekyjavik, Iceland in what was widely seen as a Cold War battle. Several interactive exhibits will help you polish your own game as well, teaching both basic and advanced strategy, so you can move in, decimate your opponent's army, and capture his king. Not so genteel after all, huh? Who knows, you might get hooked on the game and become a chess master yourself. The Hall of Fame and Museum is a perfect place to soothe your sunburn after spending too much time on the beach, and it's convenient to several Starwood properties, including the Westin Colonnade, Coral Gables and the Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel.
