Randy Richardson Memorial Chess Education Page

The 2nd annual Randy Richardson Memorial Chess Camp was held October 12 in celebration of National Chess Day. The annual camp offers children in grades two to 12 an opportunity to learn the game and play in a tournament-style setting.

The camp is held at the Forest Public Library, 210 S. Raleigh St., Forest.  The camp is free to all participants and is named in memory of Randy Richardson, a 1960 Forest High School graduate, who taught chess to classmates and enjoyed playing. A donation of $1,000 was made to the library in his memory last year to fund the first camp. 

Kids interested in participating should contact the Forest Library.

"In 2023, we had 21 children and youth to pre-register and 15 participated last year for our first time out.," said Chris Allen Baker who directed the camp and provided instruction on the game. "This year we had 13 players. This camp is an example of the growth and success enjoyed in bringing the opportunity of chess to Scott County in a big way."  

“We are so excited to continue this event for our community’s children in partnership with the chess club that meets here each month,” said Dianne McLaurin, branch manager. 

The camp includes three sections of students divided by school grades 2-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Home schooled children were also welcome.

The morning session includes instruction on the basic details on how the game is played. The afternoon session includes a tournament where the players use what they learned in the morning. A snack lunch is included.

"We had a great mix of boys and girls and a cross section of the community again this year. We also had some players who have experience with the game as well as newcomers.  They are welcome to come back for a refresher. The players can take what they learn and build on that. We look forward to seeing them at our future meetings of the Scott County Chess Club," Baker said.   
 

In the tournament, first place winners in each grade section receive a trophy while second and third place winners receive a medal. All participants received a certificate and souvenirs. The medals are supplied by Mississippi Trophy, LLC in Brandon and the trophies are made by Larchwood Designs in Madison.

The donor, Michael Hawkins, honored the memory of his classmate who taught him how to play chess while in high school. Half of the donation was used to purchase chess books for the library to make available to patrons and the other half funded the first chess camp.

* In 1976, President Gerald Ford declared October 9 as National Chess Day. He considered chess a kings' game and was an avid follower. This annual celebration has taken place on the second Saturday of October since 1979, with millions of beginners and experts delving into the unique world of chess.

The Scott County Chess Club began five years ago as an activity hosted at the Forest Public Library and grew into the Scott County Chess Club. The library which was recently gifted a $1,000 donation to support chess and activities promoting chess education.

Former Forest resident and native retired Lt. Col. Michael Hawkins donated the funds in memory of a former classmate who taught him how to play chess. Hawkins said he wished for the funds to be used to obtain whatever materials the library needed to educate and promote chess in the community, particularly among children.

The classmate Hawkins referred to is the late Randy Richardson who, with Hawkins, was a 1960 graduate of Forest High school. Chess was among many activities they were involved in during their school years. Hawkins said he also played with other friends when possible.

“He taught me the game and I just became hooked. I love it so much. We played 24 straight games with him winning all of them before I was able to beat him on the 25th try,” Hawkins said. “It was a great experience. I appreciated the opportunity Randy gave me to learn the game and I still play it whenever I can. When I learned that a chess club was started in Forest, I wanted to help the library any way I could to keep the game going.” 

In addition to the funds, Hawkins also sent a set of chess lesson books and a traditional analog game clock.

“This is an incredible gift that Lt. Col. Hawkins has provided, and we are humbled by his support of the game. The funds will enable the library to acquire items that will be tremendously valuable in our efforts to promote the game and teach more people how to play it,” said Scott County Chess Club Founder and Coordinator Chris Allen Baker. “(Library Manager) Dianne McLaurin and I have mapped out a strategy to take the donation as far as we can.”

Baker said part of the funds will be used to purchase books and other materials that the public can check out and learn the game. Some funds will also be used to purchase additional chess sets to join the five boards originally donated by the Friends of the Library group. The funds will also help support a chess event planned for October 14 to introduce the game to children in the community.

Hawkins, who now lives in Gautier, Miss., said life has been good for him and he wanted to use some of his resources to support the game he learned in school. 

After graduation, Hawkins earned a doctorate in education psychology and pursued a career in the U.S. Army until retirement. Hawkins said he also plans to participate in chess activities in his current community.

“I never forgot where I came from. I have many fond memories of life in the Moore Tower Road area of Scott County. I just wanted to give something back,” Hawkins said.

n 1976, President Gerald Ford declared October 9 as National Chess Day. He considered chess a kings’ game and was an avid follower. This annual observance has taken place on the second Saturday of October since 1979, with millions of beginners and experts delving into the unique world of chess. 

“I welcome this opportunity to greet America’s chess players and to give special recognition to a game that generates challenge, intellectual stimulation, and enjoyment for citizens of all ages. “This national observance focuses on the champions who have mastered the intricate skills of this exciting game as well as the countless fans who find it a constructive way to spend their leisure hours. 

“For both professionals and amateurs, chess is a game that sharpens the mind, tests human faculties, and encourages healthy competition. It has captivated the attention of players and spectators worldwide and will continue to do so as long as competition and excellence challenges mankind.”

The St. Louis Chess Club introduced the badge in 2011. It became one of the most popular badges in the Scouts BSA merit badge catalog, with over 250,000 scouts earning the badge.

Scouts do not have to go to St. Louis to earn the badge. The Scott County Chess Club wants to help any Scout add it to their elective collection on their sash.

We held our first clinic in 2022 and will offer another one in the near future. For more information CLICK HERE.

The Scott County Chess Club was recently requested to help another county start a chess program as we continue to push the game into more areas for people to enjoy.

Chris and Aaron Baker traveled to Noxubee County on March 11 to lead an instructional clinic introducing the basics of the game to the community. The event was held at Noxubee County High School where children and adults participated. The event was sponsored by the Brooksville

Beautification and Resource Committee.

Merrie M. Felder, committee president, said introducing chess to children of all ages will give them a chance to have fun learning a game that also improves their learning skills in other

areas of life.

“I believe that learning and playing chess will offer a pathway to analytical skills and thinking of all ages but, in particular to our youth,” Felder said.

The committee invited the Bakers to lead the program due to their experience in starting a chess club in 2018 and promoting the game in Scott County.

“The game of chess is growing in Mississippi among people of all ages, especially our youth. With recent media focus on the game, we are seeing a resurgence in its popularity as more people

realize how much fun it is and how it can benefit people in many ways,” said Chris Baker, who is also vice-president of the Mississippi Chess Association. “I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to help expand the game into Noxubee County.”

Saturday’s event featured two parts with Chris Baker leading the instruction in the morning session that focused on how the game is played. Aaron Baker led the afternoon part focusing on

strategies and participants playing games.

There was diverse mix of participants from different areas of the community which bodes well for spreading word about the game into different segments of Noxubee County.

“Our children can learn the game quickly and it can become a fun activity for their whole family,” Baker said, noting that his son taught him the game five years ago while in the second grade.

Felder said the Committee may have the same instructional program again in the fall since this one was held at the beginning of spring break and there were other events happening on the same day.