Chess Across Mississippi
The Magnolia State has a rich Chess tradition and growing participation
From state associations to local clubs - more people are finding fun and adventure in the game in nearly all corners of Mississippi
Mississippi Chess Association (MCA)
The Mississippi Chess Association has existed since at least the 1950s to organize the State Championship each year. In 1973 it became more formal with annual dues and a chess publication about five or six times a year. The organization, in return for requiring MCA membership from all state players at tournaments held be local clubs, would publicize events beforehand and print games and the cross tables from them afterwards.
When active tournament directors were elected officers (Steve Perry and Jimmy Hughes) around 1985, the MCA started organizing nearly every rated tournament in the state.
In 1980 the Jackson Optimist Club started holding annual chess tournaments for high school and junior high students--tournaments at the elementary level were started in 1985. The MCA designated the winner of this event as the Mississippi High School Champion until 1988 when the Optimist Club limited the scope of its annual event to students in the Greater Jackson area, the MCA started running scholastic events. The Optimist Club ran its last tournament in 1992 when the chess chairman, Warren Porter, returned to college for a degree.
Dues are $10 annually, usually paid in October around the time of the state tournament. The MCA asks tournament organizers to require players from Mississippi to join or be members of the MCA in return for helping promote their events and publicizing the results afterwards.
At the 2022 annual business meeting of the MCA membership, Chris Allen Baker of the Scott County Chess Club was elected to the organization's Board of Directors for a two-year term. Following that meeting, Baker was elected vice-president by board members.
Quick Glance Upcoming Events
October 8 - Chess League - Round 9
Food Court - Outlets of Mississippi, Pearl - See Below for more details
October 21-22 - Mississippi State Chess Championship
CSpire Headquarters - Ridgeland - See Below for more details
Current, Upcoming, or Ongoing Events
Sunday Chess League
MS State Chess Championship
MS State Chess Championship
The Capital City Chess Club
hosts a year long Chess league tournament
12 rounds with one round per month;
No elimination; Swiss format
Game Control 90+30
Sections: Open and U1400
Must have active USCF Membership
Entry Fee $40
Games are to be held on the SECOND Sunday of the Month at 2 pm at the Outlet Mall Food Court in Pearl or at Dogmud Tavern in Ridgeland as long as an approved tournament director (T.D.) is present.
MS State Chess Championship
MS State Chess Championship
MS State Chess Championship
Mississippi Chess Association
will host the state championship tournament
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 21-22
CSpire Corporate Headquarters
1000 Highland Colony Parkway
Ridgeland, MS 39157
** Tournament is now OPEN to all players regardless of residency **
*Only MS residents may win titles/trophies
Entry fee $55 due by Oct. 7 - includes annual MCA dues (adults); Junior entries (Under 18) $45 and do not include MCA dues
After Oct. 7 all entries increase by $20
5 rounds; Swiss format
Two Sections: Open and U1500
Check in and Registration BEFORE 8:30 Sat.;
Rnd. 1 at 9 a.m.; Rnd. 2 @ 2 p.m. G/60+30
G/90+30 - Rnd. 3 @ 6 p.m.; Sun. 9 & 2:30
Nationally recognized Chess
Nationally recognized Chess
Nationally recognized Chess
The Franklin Chess Center in Meadville is a privately funded enterprise of the Southwest Mississippi Chess Foundation. The Center has been featured on the CBS national news program "60 Minutes" and has introduced over 150 children to the game of Chess.
They have continuous activities through the year and compete on the state and national levels.
Just for Kids
Nationally recognized Chess
Nationally recognized Chess
The Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association is a registered non-profit corporation dedicated to:
- Encouraging the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and for enjoyment, but also as a means for the improvement of our society.
- Supporting the development of local chess clubs and regional associations; informs, educates, and fosters the development of players and potential players.
- Promoting chess in Mississippi schools as a means of improving the problem-solving and critical thinking skills of our children.
Past Events across the State
Mississippi Action Tournament
Mississippi Chess Association
hosted this tournament
Saturday, Sept. 23
Franklin Chess Center
63 Main Street, Meadville, MS 39653
G30 +30; 4 rounds, 4 sections
Open, U1600, U1200, U800
unrated - no prize except in Open and U1600
75% of entry fees returned as prizes
Pawns n Pajamas
Partnership Showdown
Battle By the Beach
Mississippi Children's Museum
hosted tournament
Saturday, Sept. 15
2145 Museum Blvd., Jackson, MS
Players were encouraged to attend
and play in pajamas!!
G10 + 3; 4 rounds, No eliminations
K-3 grade, K5, K8, K12 - UNRATED
Battle By the Beach
Partnership Showdown
Battle By the Beach
MS Coast and Gulf Coast Chess Clubs
hosted adult and scholastic tournaments
Saturday, Sept. 9
Long Beach, MS
USM Gulf Coast Campus
The tournament featured sections
for adults and students in all grade levels
Partnership Showdown
Partnership Showdown
Partnership Showdown
Capital City Chess Club
hosted a Partner Showdown Tournament
Saturday, August 12.
Outlets of Mississippi Food Court, Pearl MS
The tournament featured a two-person team fixed roster; 4 rounds Swiss; G/45+5
Sections: Open and U1000 (USCF rated)
Summer Chess Camps
Chess @ Children's Museums
Partnership Showdown
Two summer chess camps for kids was held at Dogmud Tavern, in Ridgeland.Both camps were huge successes
weeks of June 12-15 & July 10-13
The events also included tournaments
for the general public.
Thank you everyone for participating and thank you Beth Thrasher for hosting
Remembering JKennethon
Chess @ Children's Museums
Chess @ Children's Museums
The J'Kennethon Smith Sacrifice
Memorial Chess Tournament
was held on Saturday, July 8,
at the Outlets of Mississippi
Mall Food Court
There was a great turnout of players who supported the tournament and honored the memory of J'Kennethon. An avid chess player in Jackson, he was killed in an accident while saving the life of a family member., making the ultimate sacrifice.
This will become an annual event.
Chess @ Children's Museums
Chess @ Children's Museums
Chess @ Children's Museums
The Mississippi Children's Museums
hosted two Scholastic Chess Tournaments in April at two locations - Meridian (April 15) and Jackson (April 22).
Both locations saw great turnouts including 92 players in Meridian and 118 in Jackson.
MSCA Girls State Championship
MSCA Girls State Championship
MSCA Girls State Championship
The Mississippi Girls State Chess Championship was held March 25, at Jackson Prep school in Flowood.
Friendship Oak Classic
MSCA Girls State Championship
MSCA Girls State Championship
The Mississippi Coast Chess Club hosted its Friendship Oak Classic tournament on Feb. 25 for all ages at USM Gulf Coast Campus in Long Beach.
They had a great turnout -
Congrats to our chess friends on the coast!
Outlet Special/ Summer Kickoff
MSCA Girls State Championship
Outlet Special/ Summer Kickoff
The Capital City Chess Club hosted tournaments on Feb. 11 and May 13
in the Food Court, Outlets of Miss., Pearl.
Each tournament attracted huge turnouts from across the state.
St. Augustine Spring Chess
St. Augustine Spring Chess
Outlet Special/ Summer Kickoff
A spring tournament for all ages was held Feb. 18 in Ridgeland. This is a popular venue and has been attended by more than 100 players.
MSCA Events at a Glance
St. Augustine Spring Chess
MSCA Events at a Glance
The Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association hosts a number of events annually at approximately the same time of the year.
Here are some of the past events.
See calendar list above for upcoming events.
Jan. 14/15 - MS Individual Scholastic Chess Championships - CSpire, Ridgeland
More than 80 students from schools across Mississippi participated in an exciting battle for opportunities to represent the state on the national level.
Jan. 28 - The MSCA hosted a tournament for all ages at Meridian High School's Library; scholastic divisions as well as U800 an Open for USCF rated games.
Feb. 4 - The University of Mississippi partnered with MSCA to host a scholastic tournament.
March 4 - The MSCA hosted a scholastic team tournament at St. Andrews Episcopal School.
Chess Clubs Across Mississippi
Scott County Chess Club
FOREST - Meets the first Saturday of each month from 9 until 11 a.m. at the Forest Public Library, 210 S. Raleigh Street.
Capital City Chess Club
PEARL - Meets Tuesdays from 5:30 until 8 p.m. at the Food Court of the Outlet Mall, 200 Bass Pro Drive.
Monthly Sunday Chess Club
RIDGELAND - Meets first Sundays of month from 2 until 7 p.m. at Van's Comics, Cards, and Games, 731 S. Pear Orchard Rd. #1.
Vicksburg Chess Club
VICKSBURG - Meets Thursdays from 6 until 8 p.m. at Newk's Eatery, 3403 Pemberton Square Blvd.
Stone County Chess Club - ** NEW CLUB!
WIGGINS - Meets Wednesdays from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Pizza Inn, 530 West Central Ave., Wiggins, MS 39577 (will be added to state map at later time)
Mississippi Coast Chess Club
GULFPORT - Meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Newk's, 10381 Old Highway 49.
Oxford Chess Club
OXFORD - Meets Tuesdays from 6 until 9 p.m. at The Growler, 265 North Lamar Ave. Unit Y.
Picayune Chess Club
PICAYUNE - Meets Mondays from 6 until 9 p.m. at IHOP, 500 South Lofton.
Hernando Chess Club
HERNANDO - Meets Saturdays from 2 until 5 or 6 p.m. in the lobby of Hampton Inn, 2675 McIngvale Rd.
Other Presence
There is also an organized chess presence in Tupelo, at Miss. State University, St. Andrew Episcopal School, Jackson Prep School, Jackson, Ridgeland, and Franklin County.