Frequently Asked Questions

No. If you have never played, but are interested in learning, we can help you get started. 

We do ask our experienced players to help beginners when possible. 

No. All you have to do is show up at our regular meetings. Donations are accepted if you like, but no payment is required to join or participate. The only activities where payment is required are our major tournaments outside the regular meetings. 

No. Anyone is welcome from any location. We have had players visit from other clubs and counties.

No.  You do not have to bring anything other than your interest in playing the game. The Friends of the Forest Library organization graciously purchased and donated five chess sets to the library. The sets remain at the library and are intended for use by patrons during their visits. 

Chess club members who have their own chess sets may bring them and are encouraged to do so, if their sets are portable. If we have more than 10 people attend a meeting, there will be enough sets to accommodate us if people bring their own sets.

We welcome all ages because it is never too late to learn chess. People start at a variety of ages. Naturally, it is easier to start young because children, like sponges, tend to soak up the knowledge quickly. It is almost like learning a new language. Children build on that foundation for a lifetime of joy in the game. 

Some people pick it up in their teen years and since they are still young and learning, they can soak it up by diving right in. 

Other people get into the game in their 20s, 30s and later. It may take a little more time the older you are, but it all depends on the individual - how fast a person naturally learns new things, and motivation. While there is no one size fits all scenario, there is at least one constant: There is a 100 percent chance you will never learn if you don’t try or never start. 

We do not have an instructor per se. Some of the more experienced players can show beginners the basics such as how the pieces move and get them started. As we grow, we can bring in instructors to help members improve their skills. Some of these instructors may come in to serve pro bono or charge a fee.

We offer two major tournaments each year, one in the spring and the other in the late fall. Our founder and coordinator is also a registered club tournament director with the U.S. Chess Federation. This allows us to offer rated games to experienced players during our meetings and the results will be submitted to the Federation to add to the players' ratings. We hope to eventually hold mini-tournaments within our meetings. 

There are also tournaments held around the state of Mississippi and in adjacent states.    

No. Federation membership is not required to join or play during our meetings. However, if you are interested in playing rated games and tournaments, USCF membership is required.