Bienville Chess Classic

One of our signature major events is the Bienville Chess Classic held in April at Alfreda-Harris Lodge at Roosevelt State Park. For GPS purposes, the address is 2149 Mississippi Highway 13, Morton Miss. Take Exit 77 from Interstate 20 east of Jackson. The park entrance is just north of the Interstate. Park signs will show the way.  

The 5th annual Bienville Chess Classic is set for April 18, 2026.

For details about the most recent tournament in this series, click on Tournament History.

For results of the most recent tournament, click HERE. 

This tournament features individuals only whereas players compete for prizes and strengthen their ratings.  

The tournament includes four rounds using the Swiss pairing system with game control time of 45 minutes with three second increment. All games are rated and players must use a clock and notation and have active membership in the U.S. Chess Federation. 

No electronic notation may be used during the games. Players must use handwritten notation scoresheets brought with them or ones provided by the tournament. When a player has 5 minutes or less left on their clock, they may stop keeping notation. Players may keep their scoresheets after each game. Players may record their notation on electronic devices and use game analysis programs after their game is completed.

Cell phones must be turned off and not kept in the playing area. *For medical purposes, if cell phones must be kept close for monitoring a player's health conditions, the phone may be kept in the playing area placed face down in clear view of their opponent.

Players compete in four sections including Open, U1200, U800 and U400. All games are rated and players must use a clock and notation. All players must have active membership in the U.S. Chess Federation. 

Players in the same section as family members, or otherwise connected, and do not wish to be paired against each other must advise the tournament director before the tournament starts. Please be advised in some circumstances, depending on the number of players in a section, this may not always be possible. 

If a player wishing to participate in this tournament has recently joined the Federation, and received a USCF membership ID number, but is still listed as unrated, the player may play up into the higher sections, but we recommend starting in the U400 section. 

This will allow the player to begin building their rating.

                                                                          Prizes

Prizes include cash for first ($200), second ($100), and third place ($50) in the Open. 

Winners in the Open also receive a plaque for first place and medals go to second and third places respectively. 

* The plaque awarded to the grand champion in the Open section is named the Beverly Jo Rhodes Memorial Award in recognition of a former gifted teacher in Scott County who taught chess in local schools. Click HERE for more information.

The U1200, U800, U400 winners receive $50 cash and trophies for 1st place. Second and third place winners receive medals.

** Prizes are made possible through donations from sponsoring businesses in Scott County.  

                                                                    Tiebreakers

SwissSys computer program settles ties in each round for awarding trophies and medals.

The program uses the typical USCF methods including Modified Median, Solkoff, Cumulative, and Opposition Cumulative Score in the following manner:

Modified Median (USCF 34E1, page 152) - Also known as the Harkness system, evaluates the strength of a player's opposition by summing the final scores of his/her opponents and discarding the highest and lowest of these scores.

Solkoff (USCF rule 34E2, page 153) - The Solkoff system is the same as the Modified Median except that no players' scores are discarded.

Cumulative (USCF rule 34E3, page 153) - The cumulative (running) scores for each round are added. One point is subtracted from the sum for each unplayed win or full point bye; a half point is subtracted from the sum for each unplayed draw or half-point bye.

Opposition Cumulative (USCF rule 34E9, page 154) - The cumulative tiebreak points of each opponent are calculated as in rule 34E3 and these are added together.

Cash prizes are split according to USCF rules. 

Due to time limitations, no playoff games are used.

                                                                 Tournament Schedule

Registration and Check-in - 8 - 9 a.m.  

* No new registrations are accepted after 9 a.m.

** All players must arrive by 9 a.m. so the tournament can start on time. 

***A player who fails to check in or contact tournament director to advise of arrival time or intent to withdraw, or fails to arrive by start of first round forfeits their entry fee.

**** The $2 park entry fee is waived. Tell the gatekeeper at the entrance that you are there for the chess tournament. 

Rules Briefing         9:15 a.m.    

Round 1          9:30 a.m.

Round 2          11:30 a.m.

Round 3          2 p.m.

Round 4          3:45 p.m.

Awards will be presented as soon as possible after the final round.

*Players are expected to be seated and ready to play at beginning of each round. 

(USCF rule 16i, page 55) At the time determined for the start of the game, after the board and pieces are set up, the clock of the player with the white pieces is started. (USCF rule 16J) If Black is not present for the start of the game, White shall start his/her own clock, make their move, and start Black's clock.

* If games are finished in a round ahead of schedule, the next round may begin early if pairings are complete and all players are ready and agree to start. 

* Players receive 1.0 point due to inability to pair and 0.5 point for requested byes. 

Requested byes must be submitted before the start of desired round.

* Boards, pieces and game clocks are provided by the Scott County Chess Club. If, however, a player wishes to use his/her own board and pieces and/or clock, the player should advise the tournament director before a round begins. The player's equipment must meet tournament standards.  

* Extra games - Players who may have a bye in a particular round, or may finish a round early may request an extra game. This game would be rated  and reported to USCF, but would not count in the tournament.  

*Touch move is in effect - if you touch a piece, you have to move it somewhere - legally. 

If you touch an opponent's piece to capture, you have to take it.

*En passant is allowed.

Skittles rooms are provided for casual play between rounds. 

Everyone is encouraged to bring chairs for lounging as there is limited seating in the lobby area.

When the weather permits, there is an outdoor patio overlooking a beautiful lake scene.  See the photo gallery below.

Concession food options will be available for purchase on site. Cash and electronic payments - PayPal, CashApp, and Venmo accepted. (provided by Friends of Roosevelt group)

If other options are preferred, there is a McDonalds across from the park entrance and a Subway at a local gas station/convenience store near the interstate exit.

Spectators are allowed to view the tournament from the appropriate distance free of charge by the tournament. They should tell the gatekeeper at the entrance they are attending the chess tournament.

A pre-event briefing is emailed to registered players within three days prior to the tournament (usually Wednesday). Please make sure the email address you enter at registration is active and that you check it regularly.

This tournament is named for the Bienville National Forest which includes the state park where the tournament is held and covers most of Scott County. 

The first-place winner in the Open section receives a plaque commemorating the Beverly Jo Rhodes Memorial Award, named for a former gifted teacher who started the WINGS program at Forest High School and supported chess among class activities.

Beverly Jo Bracken Rhodes, 80, of Forest, died Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Lackey Memorial Hospital. She was a native of Newton. As a young child, she was taught to read by her grandfather, Mr. A.L. Myers, and read constantly throughout her life. 

She was a Cum Laude graduate of Millsaps College in Jackson where she attended classes from 8 to 12 and worked at the Jackson YWCA from 1 to 9, riding a street bus to and from campus. She was on the Dean’s and President’s List and was a member of the Purple and White Staff, Eta Sigma (scholastic honorary) and Eta Sigma Phi (classical languages honorary).

She met her husband, Dusty, in 1956 when they worked at the Town and Palace Theaters in Forest. He proposed on the first day they met and they married four years later on June 4, 1960. Dusty was the sun in her sky and preceded her in death.

In 1981 she initiated the WINGS Class for gifted students at Forest high School. Her students excelled in numerous activities including Creative Writing, Quiz Bowl, Art Competitions, Chess, Future Problem Solving, Odyssey of the Mind, Stock Market Competition and Mississippi Economics Counsel Competitions. They won state and national awards, and many received college scholarships in part due to their WINGS class activities. She named the class WINGS and often said, “I hope to give them wings, and let them fly.” 

She always had words of encouragement for her students, urging them to be creative, to attempt new and different activities and to excel in all things but especially in creative writing. She was sympathetic when they were sad or disappointed. Beverly was an active member of the East Central Talented and Gifted Association and the Mississippi Association for the Talented and Gifted where she served as state treasurer. 

In 1991, she was chosen Mississippi Gifted Teacher of the Year and received the MS Award for Excellence in Gifted Education. She was chosen STAR Teacher four times, twice in Morton and twice in Forest. Beverly taught English in Morton and Forest where in 1982-1983 she was selected as Classroom Teacher of the Year. 

Although Dusty and Beverly had no children of their own, they were both dedicated to her students and will live on in the memory of those students. Beverly was selected as Star Teacher four times.
 

For many years she was a member of MENSA and was Gifted Children’s Coordinator for the Mississippi group. She was President of Friends of the Library, President of Lackey Hospital Auxiliary, member of MS Professional Educators and President of the Novel Lunch Bunch Book Club. She served in many offices in all these organizations. In the past, she had been a member of the Lions Club, Classroom Teachers, MEA, Kappa Kappa Iota and Fortnightly Club. 

The Beverly Rhodes Scholarship is a $1,000 award given in her honor by the Forest Friends of the Library. An avid reader who never lost her sense of curiosity, she was a life-long learner who maintained a great interest in the world and current events. In her later years she developed an interest in science and renewed an interest in cosmology, ancient civilization and geology which began while she was at Millsaps. Her favorite subject as a student was Latin and her email address was carpelibrum5813. The Latin words mean “seize the book” and the numbers are from the Fibonacci sequence. Friends treasured a birthday card from Beverly as she wrote a poem for the recipient on many cards.

After Hurricane Katrina she collected hundreds of books and sent them to the coast libraries with the help of friends, Pat and Martha Cleveland.
At her exercise class she was known for always being ready to amuse the group with a joke. Friends knew of her love for the Baltimore and later Indianapolis Colts. Often asked why she loved the Colts, she explained that the first thing she saw when her family got a TV in 1958 was the Colts-Giants game known as the greatest game ever played. She enjoyed watching football and other sports on TV while she read. She loved working cryptograms.

MORTON – Chess players from across Mississippi and Alabama gathered Saturday at Roosevelt State Park to compete in the centuries-old game that is growing in popularity across the country. 

The fourth annual Bienville Chess Classic was held April 12, 2025, at the Alfreda-Harris Lodge where 38 players battled for prizes, improved ratings, and earned bragging rights. The annual tournament is one of three series hosted by the Scott County Chess Club.

This event brought the combined turnout to 437 players who have visited Scott County for nine chess tournaments since the club started hosting in November 2021, holding one tournament in the spring and one in the fall and one added last summer. 

Chris Allen Baker, club founder, coordinator and chief tournament director, said players reported having a great experience as many of them have played in the club’s past tournaments, but there were new first-time players. A tournament director from Memphis provided additional assistance.

“We were blessed to have a good turnout and beautiful weather to allow chess players across Mississippi and beyond to enjoy a great experience at one of our nation’s best state parks,” Baker said. “It is another example that Scott County is a popular destination for chess, and I am proud of what we have created. A high number of compliments that I receive about the tournament is also directed at the park.”

The event had continued support from the business community which donated funds toward prizes and resources. Five businesses contributed to Saturday’s tournament as sponsors, and seven other groups and businesses regularly support the club’s tournaments in the spring and fall.

“We could not do this without the support of our sponsors and partners. I appreciate every business who step up each year to help us make all our tournaments possible,” Baker said. 

The club appreciated assistance from the Friends of Roosevelt State Park who provided food for the players and spectators as a fundraiser for their own activities that support the park. 

“The Friends group provided lunch, so players did not have to leave the park to find something to eat between rounds. It was great food and by all accounts available was much appreciated,” Baker said. “It was a win-win situation for our players and the Friends group, and we look forward to working with them for future tournaments.”

Champions were announced after four rounds during the day-long event. Four rated sections included the Open, U1200, U800 and U400. Players were grouped according to their skill levels reflected through ratings issued by the U.S. Chess Federation. The Open section is considered the most competitive of the divisions due to the highest rated players participating.

The Beverly Jo Rhodes Memorial Award plaque goes to the first-place winner of the Open section. Joseph Jurjevich, of Bay Minette, Ala., with a USCF rating of 2058 entering the tournament, won the award outright. Rhodes was a gifted class teacher who started the WINGS program at Forest and supported chess activities. Other first, second, and third place winners received trophies and medals for their achievements. Cash prizes were also awarded to the Open winners and first place winners of the other three sections.

The Bienville Chess Classic is named for the national forest that covers much of Scott County and the fall tournament is named for the state park. 

Everyone is welcome to compete in the tournaments and participate in other club activities.

“I am excited that so many people from across the state regularly want to be a part of what we are doing here,” Baker said. “It would be great to see more local faces around these chess boards. The potential is there, and the invitation is extended. It is never too late to learn chess.”

MORTON – A record number of players from across Mississippi gathered Saturday at Roosevelt State Park to compete in the centuries-old game of chess.

The third annual Bienville Chess Classic was held April 20, 2024, at the park’s Alfreda-Harris Lodge where 58 players battled for prizes, improved ratings, and earned bragging rights. This is an increase from last year’s 45 players and up from 32 in 2022 in this tournament series, one of two hosted by the Scott County Chess Club.

This event brought the combined turnout to 309 players who have visited Scott County for six chess tournaments since the club started hosting in November 2021, holding one tournament in the spring and one in the fall. Originally, there were 61 registrations, but some players withdrew due to changing circumstances. 

Chris Allen Baker, club founder and coordinator, said players reported having a great experience as many of them have played in the club’s past tournaments, but there were new first-time players. One player came from Mobile, Ala., to participate.  

“We were blessed to have a wonderful turnout and decent weather to allow chess players across Mississippi and beyond to enjoy a great experience at one of our nation’s best state parks,” Baker said. “It is another sign that Scott County is a popular destination for chess in our state. We are building something special here.”

The event had support from the business community which donated funds toward prizes and resources. Five businesses contributed to Saturday’s tournament as sponsors, and five others regularly support the club’s Roosevelt Chess Classic in the fall. Partners provide additional support for both events.

“We could not do this without the support of our sponsors and partners. I appreciate every business who stepped up to help us make all our tournaments possible,” Baker said.

The club appreciated assistance from the Friends of Roosevelt State Park who provided food for the players and spectators as a fundraiser for their own activities that support the park.

“Their partnership and contributions provided lunch, so players did not have to leave the park to find something to eat between rounds. It was great food and by all accounts available was much appreciated,” Baker said. “It was a win-win situation for our players and the Friends group, and we look forward to working with them for future tournaments.”

The tournament also featured a new online system, King Registration, that allowed for easy and efficient recruitment of players. “This system is a God-send tool that improved our tournament’s management and organizational activities. It’s no surprise why many of our chess tournaments around the state are using it now,” Baker said.

Champions were announced after four rounds during the day-long event. Four rated sections included the Open, U1200, U800 and U400. Players were grouped according to their skill levels reflected through ratings issued by the U.S. Chess Federation. The Open section is considered the most competitive of the divisions.

The Beverly Jo Rhodes Memorial Award plaque goes to the first-place winner of the Open section. Rhodes was a gifted class teacher who started the WINGS program at Forest, and supported chess activities. Other first, second, and third place winners received trophies and medals for their achievements.

Everyone is welcome to compete in the tournaments and participate in other club activities.

“I am so excited that so many people from across the state regularly want to be a part of what we are doing here,” Baker said. “It would be great to see more local faces around these chess boards. The potential is there, and the invitation is extended. It is never too late to learn chess.”

The Bienville Chess Classic is named for the national forest that covers much of Scott County and the fall tournament is named for the state park.

MORTON – Clear blue skies covered a beautiful venue in Scott County when the second  champion won in the final minutes of the tournament on April 1, 2023, at Roosevelt State Park.

This Bienville Chess Classic was the fourth tournament at Alfreda-Harris Lodge organized and hosted by the Scott County Chess Club. The one-day tournament initially attracted 57 registrations and eventually 45 players from across Central and Southwestern Mississippi and the coastal counties gathered to play.

Chris Allen Baker, founder and coordinator of the chess club, presided as the  chief tournament director. Beth Thrasher served as senior chief tournament director.

“It was a beautiful day for chess and we are so grateful for all the people who came to spend their Saturday with us and play great chess,” Baker said. “Each round was competitive and I believe everyone had a great time.”

Most of the players were visitors but one player, Cody Batte, has ties to Scott County. Batte won third place in the U1200 section.

The Open section is the most competitive and includes the highest rated players participating. Clayton Thrasher won first place and Vaidyan Sivaraman won second place with third place going to Robert Curran.

In the U1200 section, Jaylen Marshall won first place and Beth Thrasher took second place.

In the U800 section, Earl Duhon won first place and Canaan Smitherman took second and Miles Hansen won third place. 

In the unrated section, Tiger Haung won first place while Aadhu took second and Brody Letchworth won third place. 

Click HERE for more details about tournament results.

Baker said the interest in chess in Mississippi is growing each year as more people learn and start playing, particularly children. 

"We initially had more people registered going into the tournament and if everyone who signed up, plus the on-site registrations, had participated, we would have had 57 players," Baker said. "We just lost some to last minute unavoidable conflicts that arose for the players who could not attend. We hope to see them next time around."  

MORTON – A new chess tournament introduced to Scott County went down to the wire to crown its first champion on May 14, 2022, in a thrilling winner-take-all tie breaker at Roosevelt State Park.

The Bienville Chess Classic was the second tournament at Alfreda-Harris Lodge organized and hosted by the Scott County Chess Club. The one-day tournament attracted 32 players from across Mississippi, one player from Florida, and a couple players from Louisiana. Other players within the state came from across Central Mississippi and the coastal counties.

The chess club plans to make this tournament, named for the national forest that covers much of the county, an annual spring event. It will join the Roosevelt Chess Classic held in the fall, established in November 2021.

Chris Allen Baker, founder and coordinator of the chess club, served his first stint as a certified tournament director.

“We had a great day of chess where our players blessed us with their participation and provided some great competition. We had players with strong ratings battle to the very end,” Baker said. “Each of the rounds went deep as the last remaining players finished just minutes before the next round was to begin.”

The tournament included four 45-minute rounds with three sections. Players are grouped into the sections according to their skill level as determined by ratings issued by the U.S. Chess Federation. First place in two of the sections received a trophy while second and third places in all sections received medals.

Most of the players were visitors but one player, Cody Batte, has ties to Scott County. Batte won three of the four rounds to play his way into a tie for second place in the U1000 section. A two-game tie breaker did not end in his favor, giving Batte a third-place finish.

The U500 section also had a two-way tie for second place which was settled when one of the players agreed to forfeit the tie breaker game and accepted third place.

More excitement came in a two-way tie for first place in the Open division, which is the most competitive and includes the highest rated players participating. Winners in this section received cash prizes and medals for second and third places. The first-place winner also received a plaque commemorating the Beverly Jo Rhodes Memorial Championship, named for a former gifted teacher who started the WINGS program at Forest High School and supported

chess among class activities.

Ryan Wu and Andrew Rea, who drove 17 hours from Florida to participate, finished regulation tied with 3.5 points. Their first two tiebreaker games ended in draws sending the action to an “Armageddon” round. Rea claimed the win as the sudden death game was decided in the final seconds.

“We really appreciate the support from the community and the businesses who have helped make these tournaments possible,” Baker said. “We are getting noticed around the state with strong showings of players visiting Scott County to play this great game. There is so much potential to make our community a chess destination in Mississippi.”