The 4th annual Bienville Chess Classic included 38 players in this year's field. There were 41 players actually registered,
but 3 were unable to attend at the last minute. However, 3 new players registered on site at last minute.
Champion: Joseph Jurjevich (left)
2nd place: Legend Gavin (center)
Third Place: James Dove (right)
Champion: Colton H. McKnight (left)
2nd place: Michael Touchstone (center)
Third Place: Aadhyanth Sivaraman (right)
Champion: Robert A. Pridgen
2nd place: Robin Strickland
Third Place: Bobby Junior Carnage (left before awards ceremony)
Champion: Patrick Bergin (left)
2nd place: Norah Young (center)
Third Place: Hunter Wallace (right)
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.”
The SwissSys tournament management system settled ties to determine the recipients of trophies and medals. Per USCF rules (32B2, page 138) Tied winners of place prizes or tied winners in the same class of class prizes shall be awarded all the cash prizes involved, summed and divided equally.
Open
Joseph Jurjevich (entering the tournament with a 2058 rating) won first place outright with a four game sweep to claim the $200 prize and plaque.
Legend Gavin received the 2nd place medal and James Dove won the third place medal and split the remaining prize money to receive $75 each.
*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.
U1200
Colton H. McKnight received the first place trophy.
Michael Touchstone won the second place medal.
Aadhyanth Sivaraman won third place.
All three players tied for first place and split the $50 prize.
U800
Robert A. Pridgen won the first place trophy and $50 cash prize outright.
Robin Strickland received the second place medal outright.
Bobby Junior Carnage won the third place medal over Jayson Thomas-Wilford Ashbaugh in the tiebreaker.
U400
Patrick Bergin received the first place trophy in the tiebreaker.
Norah Young received the second place medal.
Hunter Wallace received the third place medal.
All three players tied for first place and split the $50 prize.
Tiebreaker process
SwissSys used three procedures to break ties in its computations including the Modified Median, Solkoff, Cumulative, and Opposition Cumulative. See pages 151-153 of the U.S. Chess Federation Official Rules, 7th edition, for more information.
Prize sources
Prize funds were provided through donations from businesses in Scott County. Click HERE
Trophies were designed and made by Larchwood Designs of Madison. Click HERE
Plaque and medals were designed and made by Mississippi Trophy of Brandon. Click HERE
If you attended and played in our tournament, please let us know about your experience. Your feedback will help us in making improvements.
We appreciate your assistance.
* Results from each tournament will remain online here for up to one year.
When the next tournament in the series is held, new results will replace the previous results.
** The hard copy printouts on tournament days (pairings, results, standings after rounds)
will be kept for 1 month in case there are any reported discrepancies.
After 30 days, the printouts will be subject for disposal.
Check out our Hall of Champions for our history of winners
For information about the Bienville tournament series, click the tab at right.
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