Chess Across Mississippi

We regularly post information and links for tournaments around Mississippi within a few weeks before they are held. For a full slate of tournaments scheduled before they are listed here, click the button immediately below.

JAKCKSON - The Capital City Chess Club will host this tournament at Hillcrest Christian School. 

MORTON - The Scott County Chess Club will host an individual and team tournament at Roosevelt State Park. 

JAKCKSON - The Capital City Chess Club will host this tournament at Hillcrest Christian School. 

RIDGELAND - The Capital City Chess Club will host this opportunity for kids to learn chess or sharpen their skills at Dogmud Tavern. 

RIDGELAND - The Capital City Chess Club will host an opportunity for all ages to play in a Thanksgiving theme tournament at Dogmud Tavern. 

The Capital City Chess Club sponsors a year long tournament - "Second Sunday Chess League" whereas participants play one round game per month - January through December. Three sections are offered: Open, U1300, and U800. The tournament includes 10 Swiss paired rounds (see schedule below) using game control of 90 minutes (1:30) with 30 second increments.

Participants must be active members of the U.S. Chess Federation. 

Games are played on the second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. at the Food Court - Outlets of Mississippi, 200 Bass Pro Drive, Pearl, MS 39208. If one or both players in a paired game cannot attend on this day, their game can be re-scheduled to an alternate day and time of the month with agreement from both players and the tournament director. (See below)

Entry fees - Updated

$55 - before January 15 (11:59)

$65 - after January 15

$75 - after January 31 (11:59)

$35 if join after round 4

1st Round - February

2nd Round - March

3rd Round - April 12

4th Round - May 10

5th Round - June 14

6th Round - July 12

7th Round - August 9

8th Round - September 13

9th Round - October 11

Round 10 - November & December

Prizes will be awarded in January 2027. 

Plaques for 1st-5th Place in Each Section

OPEN 1st Place: 25% of Entry Fees (after plaque costs)

OPEN 2nd Place: 20% of Entry Fees (after plaque costs)

U1300 1st Place: 15% of Entry Fees (after plaque costs)

U1300 2nd Place: 10% of Entry Fees (after plaque costs)

U800 1st Place: 10% of Entry Fees (after plaque costs)

U800 2nd Place: 5% of Entry Fees (after plaque costs)

Players are paired to play one game per month with the exception of round 10 whereas players will have 2 months. Games are expected to play on the second Sunday of each month at the Outlet Mall Food Court in Pearl at 2 p.m. 

For games not played on the second Sunday meeting, it is the players' responsibility to agree and set an alternate date, time, and location to play. The tournament director will only confirm, not arrange, re-scheduled times in writing via email or text.  

Contact TD when: (a) the opponent does not respond (b) to inform her that an alternate time has been agreed upon already. 

• Players who fail to agree to at least one alternate day/time, or fail to arrive and play at an agreed upon day/time, will be given a forfeit loss.
• All games should be played in the presence of an approved tournament director.  

• To be paired for first round, entry fee must be paid in full by Jan. 31. Pairings will be announced on Feb. 1.
• Chief TD (Beth Thrasher) will heavily assist in game re-schedules to ensure minimal no-shows and forfeits.
• A list of email addresses will accompany each pairing for players to directly contact each other. Include Thrasher in cc of email when re-scheduling.
• Before each month's pairings, all players must indicate preferences such as availability. No player will be required to re-schedule a game outside of their indicated preferences.
• Results will be submitted to the U.S. Chess Federation after each month's round is completed. Provisions will be made If a player's rating changes during the tournament that would affect their section placement.
• Please see additional important information on tournament description on King Registration.

FOREST - Meets the first Saturday of each month from 9 until 11 a.m. at the Forest Public Library, 210 S. Raleigh Street. 

RIDGELAND - Meets Mondays from 6 until 8 p.m. at Panera Bread restaurant,  1000 Highland Colony Pkwy. 

HATTIESBURG - Meets Tuesdays at the library on campus, William Carey University. Members include advanced, intermediate, and beginners. They will be added to the map soon.

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 - Meets Thursdays from 6 until 8 p.m. at Newk's Eatery, 3403 Pemberton Square Blvd. 

MEADVILLE - privately funded chess education center. See below for more information. 

WIGGINS - This club now meets on Tuesdays, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Wendy's restaurant, 1015 East Frontage Rd. 

GULFPORT - Meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Newk's, 10381 Old Highway 49. 

PICAYUNE - Meets Mondays from 6 until 9 p.m. at IHOP, 500 South Lofton. 

HERNANDO - Meets Saturdays from 2 until 5 or 6 p.m. in the lobby of Hampton Inn, 2675 McIngvale Rd. 

A grade level scholastic chess tournament was held in Jackson (Oct. 3); A chess tournament (scholastic) was held at Mississippi State in Starkville (Oct. 10); The MCA State Chess Tournament was held at Nissan in Canton (Oct. 17-18); The state team jamboree (scholastic) was held at St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Oct. 24).

The Eagle Chess Challenge was held in Pascagoula (Sept. 16); The Central Mississippi Chess Jamboree (Scholastic) was held at Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood (Sept. 26).

The Forest Chess Challenge was held August 15 at Penn's restaurant in Flowood. It featured 5 rounds of Quick and 5 rounds of Blitz format games. The MCA Women's tournament was held August 22 at Nissan in Canton.

The MCA Team Championship was held July 11 at Jackson Prep school in Flowood. The Dogmud Chess Camp and tournament was held in Ridgeland on July 13-16.

There were several events including a G/60 tournament and a Chess Camp with tournament. 

The Mississippi Quick and Blitz was held May 2 in Canton; The Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association held a rated championship event on May 9 in Hattiesburg. 

The Kenneth Stokes Inaugural Chess Tournament at Medgar Evers Library in Jackson and the Freestyle 960 Chess Challenge in Pearl were held April 4; The Mississippi Children's Museum in Jackson hosted a tournament on April 11; the Mississippi Chess Association hosted the annual Senior Open for players age 50 and above at Nissan on April 11-12; The 5th annual Bienville Chess Classic was held April 18 at Roosevelt State Park.

Quads for Cash was held March 7 in Starkville, on campus at Mississippi State University; also at Miss. State, the MSCA individual and team scholastic chess championship was held at the student union on March 7; the Spring Break Chess Camp and tournament was held March 9-12 at Dogmud Tavern in Ridgeland; the Ole Miss Scholastic tournament was held March 14 in Oxford.

A Chessmate Live event was held Feb. 7 in Starkville, (scholastic only unrated tournament and a rated quads for all ages); Tiger Pawns Scholastic Open was held Feb. 20 in Hernando; PCS Scholastic Open was held Feb. 21 in Hattiesburg; Wildcat Scholastic tournament was held Feb. 21 in Meridian; the Mississippi Girls Scholastic State Championship was held Feb. 28.

More chess events were scheduled across Mississippi region through January. The Mississippi Scholastic Individual Chess Championship was held Jan. 17-18 at St. Andrews Episcopal School in Ridgeland. Unfortunately, two tournaments were not held due to a winter ice storm in North Mississippi. A scholastic tournament in Oxford was postponed to March 14. The North Mississippi Championship in Water Valley was canceled and new date is pending. 

There was a variety of chess events across the Central Mississippi region through December. On Dec. 22-23, a "play and learn" event was held at the Food Court at the Outlets of Mississippi mall including instructional and tournament competition. On Dec. 27, a uniqye event called "hand to brain" was held at the Food Court features two-partner teams. On the same day, a winner-take-all blitz tournament was held at the same location.

PEARL/CLINTON - A simultaneous was held Nov. 14 with 10 players v. National Master and Mississippi resident Benson Schexnaydre at the Food Court of the Outlets of Mississippi mall in Pearl. The Mississippi Chess Festival tournament was held on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton Nov. 15-16 featuring a grandmaster a FIDE master, and three national masters. The tournament attracted 65 players. 

November 1 included the Roosevelt Chess Classic in Scott County, and tournaments in Humphreys County and at St. Andrews on Nov. 8. 

A Quick timed tournament was held, Knight of Chess, at Humphreys County schools on October 23; and on October 25, a scholastic chess tournament with STEM and Robotics Exploration was held in Vicksburg. 

CANTON - The Mississippi Chess Association hosted its annual tournament open to players from all states, but only Mississippi residents can win titles and trophies. The tournament was held at the Nissan Training Center and attracted more than 50 players.

JACKSON - The Mississippi Chess Association had a booth set up at the Mississippi State Fair in the Trade Mart Center on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. A great number of people stopped by to play a game of chess or asked about how to get involved. MCA President Mark Nicholas played nine players in a simultaneous set of games.

PASCAGOULA - A great crowd turned out for the adults and scholastic sections at John B. Gertrude Delmas Activity Center, Resurrection Catholic Elementary School.

CANTON - This annual tournament for the ladies of our game was held at the Nissan Training Facility for a second year. The tournament is open to all states, but only Mississippi residents can win titles and trophies.

PEARL - The third annual J'Kennethon Memorial Tournament was held with just under 30 players at the food court of the Outlets of Mississippi mall in Pearl. The tournament included four Swiss rounds of G/45+5 with four rated sections - Open, U1100, and U600. The event also featured Family Team play.

** J’Kennethon Smith died on July 9, 2022, after being struck by a vehicle protecting a cousin by pushing her out of harm’s way. Smith was a top academic student, athlete, and a chess player who taught chess to younger children. Profit from this event goes to providing clocks to scholastic chess programs in disadvantaged districts. 

FOREST - The Scott County Chess Club sponsored its 2nd annual Quick and Blitz tournament at Penn's restaurant on Highway 35 near Interstate 20. The tournament saw growth attracting five more players than in its debut with a total of 20 players for a cumulative 35 players. 

FLOWOOD - The Mississippi Chess Association sponsored its annual team championship at Jackson Preparatory School on Lakeland Drive. More than 50 players participated in sections including Open, Reserve, and Amateur.

The State Games of Mississippi included a chess tournament for all levels, rated and unrated games, at the Riley Workforce Development Center in Meridian. Thirty players registered for the event and 29 participated.

FLOWOOD - The Mississippi Chess Association hosted this annual tournament at Jackson Preparatory School on Lakeland Drive. Congratulations to all the winners!

Chess camps for kids have been scheduled all summer at a variety of locations around the Jackson metro area. Two camps were held at Dogmud Tavern in Ridgeland June 9-12 and July 7-10. Canton Academy also held one in the last week of June. 

It was a full day of chess in Hattiesburg. The Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association held a championship event at the University of Southern Mississippi's R.C. Cook Student Union. 

Canton Academy hosted this chess tournament inviting players of all ages to come play in your most comfortable night-time attire, but don't get caught sleeping at the chess boards. 

The Capital City Chess Club hosted this tournament followed by a blitz event at the Food Court at the Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl.

It was a full day of chess across the state with action in Starkville and Pearl. The Quads for Cash event was held at Mississippi State University's Colvard Student Union which had been re-scheduled from an earlier date due to weather. 

The Scott County Chess Club had a great experience hosting our 4th spring tournament. We had 38 players participating in the tournament held annually at Roosevelt State Park in Morton. Players from across Mississippi and one from Alabama participated. It was a beautiful day with great weather and wonderful support from the community. This tournament brought our overall cumulative participation record to 437 players.

Players age 50 and above were invited to participate in the second annual tournament focused on that age group. The turnout this year was doubled from last year's inaugural event, rising from six to 12. The 2-day tournament held at the Nissan Training Center in Canton included four rounds of 90 minute games with 30 second increments.

Chess was underway in different forms this day in multiple locations. In Ridgeland, the MCA hosted the team and individual scholastic state championship at St. Andrews Episcopal School. Meanwhile, the Scott County Chess Club visited Macon in Noxubee County to teach a chess camp to youth and adults in the community.

The Itawamba Chess Tournament was held March 22 in Fulton as well as a tournament for all  ages at the Mississippi Children's Museum in Meridian.  

About 20 players gathered for the first North Mississippi Championship held in Water Valley. We had a good group of players who battled in an elegant environment - Fountain Square event center - which is typically used as a wedding venue. Thanks to everyone who participated.  

More than 50 players turned out at the Food Court at the Outlet Mall in Pearl for unique chess tournament. Players sought partners to pair as two-person teams to match wits against other teams. Reports indicated the event was a great success. 

The Girls State Championship in scholastic action by the MCA was held at Jackson Prep in Flowood along with the MSCA individual and team Chess Cup at Mississippi State in Starkville.

Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg hosted more than 50 players in their event this weekend It was a great day for chess.

St. Augustine School in Ridgeland hosted more than 100 players for their annual spring tournament. It was a great day for chess.

The Mississippi Chess Association hosted its annual individual scholastic state championship at St. Andrews Episcopal School in Ridgeland on January 18-19 and another tournament at Ole Miss in Oxford on January 25.

The Capital City started 2025 with a bang with two events during the first weekend. A New Year's Bash was held Jan. 4 at the Food Court at the Outlet Mall in Pearl followed on Jan. 5 with a bughouse tournament. 

The Wildcat Clash III was held at Meridian High School while players also engaged in a tournament at Itawamba County Agricultural High School in Northeast Mississippi.

More than 30 players gathered at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson for the Mississippi Chess Association's first regional state tournament.

More than 30 players gathered at Nissan Training Center for the Mississippi Chess Association's Quick and Blitz tournament.

More than 70 players gathered at St. Augustine School in Ridgeland to compete in rated and unrated sections for adults, youth, and children. Meanwhile players met at Delta State University in Cleveland for a scholastic jamboree and adult competition.

More than 50 players gathered at the CSpire Headquarters in Ridgeland to determine the best players in the state. Sections included Open, U1500, and U1000. The tournament weekend also included the MCA annual business meeting.

The MCA returned to the Mississippi State Fair at the Trade Mart in Jackson to provide the public a chance to see chess up close and ask questions about the game. Two players participated in a Blitz tournament and received complimentary U.S Chess Federation membership/renewal as prizes. 

 Our Chess kids have been busy this year. These events have been held in the fall 2024 all over the state: October 5 - Southwest Mississippi Chess Jamboree, Meadville; Oct. 12 - Kemper County Tournament, DeKalb; Oct. 26 - Eagle Chess Challenge, Pascagoula; 

The Mississippi Chess Association hosted its first ever Women's State Championship  

at the Nissan Training Center in Canton. The event attracted nine players for four Swiss rounds using a time control of G/45 + 15 increments. Three sections were available: Open, Reserve (U600), Under age 12.

Two chess camps for kids and two tournaments for everyone were held at Dogmud Tavern in Ridgeland. One camp was held in June and the other in late July where kids could receive instruction and improve their skills. Each camp concluded with a tournament where participants included campers and any players from outside the camps.  

The Mississippi Chess Association Team Championship was held at Jackson Preparatory School in  Flowood. More than 10 teams competed in two sections including Open and Reserve (U1300). The tournament included 3 Swiss rounds G/60 + 15i.  

The second annual J'Kennethon Memorial Tournament was held at the food court of the Outlets of Mississippi mall in Pearl. The tournament included four Swiss rounds of G/45+5 with three sections - Open, U1000, and U600; with a mixed doubles section.  

** J’Kennethon Smith died on July 9, 2022, after being struck by a vehicle protecting a cousin by pushing her out of harm’s way. Smith was a top academic student, athlete, and a chess player who taught chess to younger children. Profit from this event goes to providing clocks to scholastic chess programs in disadvantaged districts. 

The Mississippi Chess Association hosted its G/60 tournament at Jackson Prep school in Flowood. The event included four Swiss rounds with sections: Open, Reserve (U1300), Amateur (U800), K-5, & K-3.  

St. Augustine School in Ridegland hosted its spring tournament where adults, youth, children were welcome from all schools, homeschool, all levels, grades; rated and unrated games.  

The Capital City Chess Club hosted an opportunity for players to learn from International Master Dave Ross at the Food Court, Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl. On the first day, 12 players faced Ross in simultaneous games. On the second day, seven players faced Ross simultaneously on a 45 minute clock. After the games, Ross provided lessons with evaluations of the players' performances. For more information about Dave Ross, click HERE. 

The Scott County Chess Club hosted its third Bienville Chess Classic at Roosevelt State Park in Morton where 58 players from across Mississippi competed in a 4-round Swiss tournament using G/45+5 including sections Open, U1200, U800, and U400.  

The Capital City Chess Club hosted a Partner Chess Tournament at the Food Court, 

Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl. The event included 4 rounds Swiss format with G/45+5

The Mississippi Chess Association hosted the 2024 Senior Chess Championship at Nissan in Canton. The tournament was open only to all players ages 50 and above as of July 27, 2023. The tournament included four Swiss rounds with G/90+30. The winner represents Mississippi at national level. 

The Capital City Chess Club hosted a March Madness tournament at the Food Court, Outlet Mall  of Mississippi in Pearl. More than 50 players participated in the four round Swiss event. 

 Our Chess kids have been busy this year. These events have been held since January 2024 all over the state: Jan. 27 - MSCA Bughouse Championships, Jackson; Feb. 3 - Ole Miss Chess Tournament, Oxford; Feb. 17 - MS Scholastic Girls State Championship, Flowood; Feb. 24 - Kemper County Chess Tournament, Scooba; March 2 - Holmes County Chess Tournament,   Goodman; March 9 - MSCA Individual/Team Cup, Starkville; March 15 - Knights at Museum, Jackson; March 23 - MS Scholastic Team State Championship, Ridgeland. 

The Scott County Chess Club held its third annual Roosevelt Chess Classic featuring individual and team action. The tournament included 4 Swiss rounds with G/45+5 and sections including Open, U1200, and U800. Prizes included cash, trophies, and medals. 

The Mississippi Chess Association hosted the 2-day state championship tournament at CSpire Corporate Headquarters in Ridgeland. The tournament was open to all players, residents and non-residents of Mississippi. Five Swiss rounds included G/60+30 for first two rounds and G/90+30 for remaining three rounds.   

The Mississippi Children's Museum hosted the chess tournament tournament in Jackson whereas players were encouraged to attend and play in pajamas. The event used G/10 + 3 in four Swiss rounds and sections included K-3 grade, K5, K8, K12 - UNRATED.   

Mississippi Coast and Gulf Coast Chess Clubs hosted adult and scholastic tournaments on the USM Gulf Coast Campus in Long Beach. The tournament featured sections for adults and students in all grade levels.

The Capital City Chess Club hosted a Partner Showdown Tournament at the Outlets of Mississippi Food Court in Pearl. The tournament featured a two-person team fixed roster; 4 rounds Swiss; G/45+5; sections: Open and U1000 (USCF rated) 

Two summer chess camps for kids were held at Dogmud Tavern, in Ridgeland during the weeks of weeks of June 12-15 & July 10-13. The events also included tournaments for the general public.

The J'Kennethon Smith Sacrifice Memorial Chess Tournament was held at the  Outlets of Mississippi Food Court in Pearl. There was a great turnout of players who supported the tournament. An avid chess player in Jackson, Smith was killed in an accident while saving the life of a family member. This became an annual event. 

The Mississippi Children's Museums hosted two Scholastic Chess Tournaments at two locations - Meridian (April 15)  and Jackson (April 22). Both locations saw great turnouts including 92 players in Meridian and 118 in Jackson. 

NO JOKE! The Scott County Chess Club held its second Bienville Chess Classic at the Alfreda-Harris Lodge at Roosevelt State Park in Morton. The event featured four Swiss rounds using G/45+5 among three sections: Open, U1200, U800.   

The Mississippi Girls State Chess Championship was held at Jackson Prep school in Flowood.  

The Mississippi Coast Chess Club hosted its Friendship Oak Classic tournament for all ages at USM Gulf Coast Campus in Long Beach. 

The Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association  hosts a number of events annually at approximately the same time of the year. Here are some of the events for 2023.
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.