Forest Chess Challenge
Quick and Blitz games (cumulative 15 players)
We launched our third tournament series on August 17, 2024, at Penn's Restaurant in Forest, Miss. It features Quick and Blitz games whereas players can get in some rated games in those styles of play and compete for cash prizes and strengthen their ratings.
The 2nd annual Forest Chess Challenge is tentatively set for August 16, 2025.
To view information about our past tournament, scroll down to the bottom of this page.
The Forest Chess Challenge includes five rounds of Quick games (G/15+3) followed by six rounds of Blitz (G/5+3) using the Swiss pairing system. Players may play both Quick and Blitz or just one or the other
Prizes include cash for first ($75) and second ($50) in each section. Third place prizes ($25) will be added in 2025. *Prize amounts are subject to change.
Individuals compete in two rated sections for each game style including Open and U1000.
All games are rated and notation is NOT required. Players must have active membership in the U.S. Chess Federation.
If a player wishing to participate in this tournament has recently joined the Federation, paid, and received a USCF membership ID number, but is still listed as unrated, the player may play in the Open, but we recommend starting in the U1000 section. This will allow the player to begin building their rating.
Players receive 1.0 point due to inability to pair and 0.5 point for requested byes.
Requested byes must be submitted before the start of desired round.
Requested byes are not allowed for the final round.
The Quick games portion of the tournament follows the following schedule:
Registration and Check-in 9 - 10 a.m.
Welcome and Rules Briefing 10:15 a.m.
Round 1 10:30 a.m.
Round 2 within 10 minutes of end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
Round 3 within 10 minutes of end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
Round 4 within 10 minutes of end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
Round 5 within 10 minutes of end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
The Blitz games portion of the tournament follows the following schedule:
Registration and Check-in until 1:30 p.m.
Rules Briefing 1:45 p.m.
Round 1 2 p.m.
Round 2 after end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
Round 3 after end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
Round 4 after end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
Round 5 after end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
Round 6 after end of previous round; pairings and players seated/ready.
Tiebreakers: Sudden death blitz g/5 with no delay or increments.
* This method is subject to change.
Food is available through the hosting restaurant off the menu except for buffet.
This tournament is named for the City of Forest which is the county seat and base of operations for the Scott County Chess Club.
Registration
Registration is CLOSED
Registration will reopen May 1, 2025
Pre-Registered Players
Players pre-registered by 6 p.m. on the Wednesday and 6 p.m. Friday prior to tournament day will be sent a briefing via email.
Early Bird Entry Fee
The early bird rate expires at 6 p.m. Aug. 9, 2025
$25 to play BOTH Quick and Blitz
$20 to play Quick ONLY
$20 to play Blitz ONLY
Standard and Late Entry Fees
At 6 p.m. August 9 and Thereafter
$35 to play BOTH Quick and Blitz
$30 to play Quick ONLY
$30 to play Blitz ONLY
Online registration
We partnered with King Registration to offer complete online tournament registration.
We encourage and prefer this method. This method includes payment via PayPal, Venmo, and credit card.
Other Registration options
Players who wish to use CashApp, or pay on site: Please send information to scottcountychessclub@gmail.com or use the Contact Us form below.
A response will be sent as soon as your email is read and further instructions provided.
If registering via email, you must provide your NAME, ACTIVE Chess Federation ID#, desired SECTION, and desired METHOD OF PAYMENT. Membership in the U.S. Chess Federation MUST BE CURRENT to play in the rated sections and will be checked upon receipt of registration information.
To join or renew membership, visit /click new.uschess.org
Registration Fee methods
Payments for pre-registrations must be made in advance as registrations will not be complete until payment is received.
Method of payments STRONGLY PREFERRED include PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp - but cash will be accepted on site if necessary. Zelle is also available.
Checks are accepted if necessary and may be presented on site.
Make checks payable to Scott County Chess Club.
Tournament updates
As the tournament approaches, registered players will receive an email a few days before the event providing final detail information. Please look for this information sent from the email address listed above and read for important information.
Check spam folders if necessary so you don't miss anything. Information will also be available on our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
A post-event email will be sent to registered players within a few days after the tournament tying up any loose ends. Some players may receive individual email if there are any issues.
Safe Play
The Scott County Chess Club is committed to providing a safe environment for all chess players. We will not tolerate any kind of physical, mental, emotional, verbal or any other kind of abuse directed at any person participating in any of our events.
Any person found in violation of this policy will be ejected from the event and required to leave.
After due process, violators could be permanently banned from any future participation of events sponsored by the Scott County Chess Club.
If necessary, violators will be reported to local law enforcement authorities.
Our club tournament director/coordinator has completed Safesport training.
For more information about this policy, the button below.
COVID/Flu
As time passes beyond the most intensive period of the COVID 19 pandemic, fewer restrictions are in place regarding many events. In most cases now, individuals are trusted more with their own discretion and comfort levels regarding precautions to avoid COVID and flu infections.
The Scott County Chess Club acknowledges the continuing threat of COVID, but recognizes the balance between public safety and personal liberties.
Tournament policies
It is our hope and expectation that everyone who registers for our tournaments will follow through and participate. However, we know situations arise that may prevent participation. We established a policy regarding refunds, withdrawals, and related issues to be fair to players and to the club’s ability to host its tournaments. We observe U.S. Chess Federation rules and recommendations where applicable.
Venue: Penn's
Welcome
Space friendly
Space friendly
Penn's in Forest has graciously offered their restaurant as a venue for our Quick and Blitz tournament. They are located at 1550 Mississippi Highway 35 South in Forest right off the eastbound side of Interstate 20. You can see it from the Interstate behind Chevron station.
Space friendly
Space friendly
Space friendly
Penn's offers their main meeting room and an adjacent room which combined will seat 70 players on 35 boards. If more is needed, more space is available. The main dining area is also available for gathering and eating between rounds.
Tournament History
First event of the Forest Chess Challenge kicks off with success
A small group of chess players from across the state gathered on August 17 to participate in the first Forest Chess Challenge which featured a faster style of playing the game.
The Challenge included two tournaments, one for Quick play and one for Blitz play. The event, held at Penn’s restaurant in Forest, attracted 15 registered players in its first outing. The Quick tournament ran five Swiss paired rounds with a time control of G/15+3. The Blitz tournament ran six Swiss paired rounds with a time control of G/5+3.
Both sessions included two sections, Open and U1000, and cash prizes were awarded to first and second place winners respectively.
Chris Allen Baker, founder and coordinator of the Scott County Chess Club, said the launch was successful and plans are underway for the next one.
“It was a good day for chess in Scott County and I appreciate everyone who traveled across the state to participate in our event. It was a small group, but that is ok as I was expecting that. We hit the goal of 15 registrations which was good for our first time out,” Baker said. “Everyone said they had a great time and enjoyed the chance to play the game.”
By offering Quick and Blitz, Baker said the Forest Challenge is different from the two tournaments already offered including the Bienville Classic in the spring and Roosevelt Classic in the Fall, both which carry game control times of 45+5.
“Quick and Blitz are much different forms of playing chess – a much faster pace. There are a few rules differences and players do not have to use notation. The faster pace, also known by some as speed chess, appeals to a segment of the chess community,” Baker said. “While looking at the year’s chess calendar, I realized there are very few opportunities for playing Quick and Blitz. We had one of the only two planned events of this nature. Other clubs and groups offer sporadic impromptu chances to play Blitz or Quick. I wanted to offer a set event where those who enjoy speed chess can make plans and count on at least one event like this.”
Baker, who has occasionally played Blitz games, said he enjoyed seeing the players in action. “It is really thrilling to watch. Quick games start off a little slow with the first 10 minutes of the time control, but getting down into the final five minutes it picks up and watching the players rush to find victory is amazing to see them think and move that fast,” Baker said. “The Blitz games are even more exciting because the players must act faster right at the beginning to get the right tempo and find a way to win. The rules are a bit different than the regular longer time control games.”
Baker said the first Forest Challenge was a trial run to test the waters, and the result was good enough to continue. “I wasn’t sure at first about hosting this kind of tournament because my own Blitz experience is limited. Watching one other tournament this summer, I realized the strength of the segment of our chess community that enjoys speed chess is significant, so I wanted to get into the game,” Baker said. “Whereas I had hosted six tournaments in Morton, I had also wanted to hold an event here in Forest so this is the perfect opportunity.”
Baker said the Forest Challenge will always be held in August, “because that is the only month of the year that I can do it according to my schedule, and have a reasonable expectation of a good turnout.”
