Roosevelt Chess Classic

One of our signature major events is the Roosevelt Chess Classic held in November at its namesake of Alfreda-Harris Lodge at Roosevelt State Park. 

For GPS purposes, the address is 2149 Mississippi Highway 13, Morton Miss. Take Exit 77 from Interstate 20 east of Jackson. The park entrance is just north of the Interstate. 

Park signs will show the way.

Upcoming Dates: November 1, 2025;  November 7, 2026

*Changes were made to tournament setup after the November 9, 2024, event.

This tournament features individual and team participation whereas players compete for prizes as well as strengthen their ratings. (Scroll down for registration information.) 

The tournament includes four rounds using the Swiss pairing system with game control time of 45 minutes with five second increment. All games are rated and players must use a clock and notation and have active membership in the U.S. Chess Federation. 

INDIVIDUALS compete in one of four sections including Open, U1200, U800, and U400 based on their current USCF rating. Players may play up in a section higher than their rating, but cannot play in a lower section.

Players in the same section as family members, or otherwise connected, and do not wish to be paired against each other must advise the tournament director before the tournament starts. Please be advised in some circumstances, depending on the number of players in a section, this may not always be possible.  

Prizes include cash for first, second, and third place in the Open. Winners in the Open also receive a trophy for first place and medals go to second and third places respectively.

First Place $200 - Second Place $100 - Third Place $50 

The U1200, U800, and U400 winners receive cash, trophies, and medals in similar fashion. 

First Place $50 and trophy - Second Place medal - Third Place medal 

TEAMS - Individuals may also form teams and schools may also sponsor teams.   

Each team player competes as an individual in one of four sections including Open, U1200, U800, and U400 based on their current USCF rating. Players may play up in a section higher than their rating, but cannot play in a lower section.

Teams may include any number of players, but we strongly prefer and recommend that teams include a minimum of 4 players as the top four players' scores in the sections will determine team scores. Teams receive 1.0 point each for member's win and 0.5 point for draws in the sections. Teams with fewer than 4 players will be at a disadvantage. 

Efforts are made to prevent team members from being paired against each other. Please be advised in some circumstances, depending on the number of players in a section, this may not always be possible.

Cash and medals go to the top four players of the winning team. The four players also split $100. 

(Scroll below to see our generous sponsors.)

Ties are broken by computer calculations in the SwissSys management system.

Trophies and medals are awarded based on computer tiebreak.

Cash prizes are split according to USCF rules.

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. 

Players who have byes in the same round may play reach other in an extra rated game.

   * This game would be submitted to USCF,  but would not count in the tournament.  

The tournament follows the following schedule: 

Registration and Check-in             8 - 9 a.m.

*No registrations are accepted after 9 a.m.

** All players must arrive by 9 a.m. so the tournament can start on time. 

Welcome and Rules Briefing         9:15 a.m.    

Round 1          9:30 a.m.

Round 2          11:30 a.m.

Round 3          2 p.m.

Round 4          3:45 p.m.

*If all games are finished in a round ahead of schedule, the next round may begin early if pairings are complete and all players are ready. 

Awards presented as soon as possible after the final round.

*Touch move is in effect - if you touch a piece, you have to move it somewhere - legally. If you touch an opponent's piece to capture, you have to take it.

*En passant is allowed.

Skittles rooms are provided for casual play between rounds. 

Everyone is encouraged to bring chairs for lounging as there is limited seating in the lobby area.

When the weather permits, there is an outdoor patio overlooking a beautiful lake scene.  See the photo gallery below.

Concession food options will be available for purchase on site. Cash and electronic payments - PayPal, CashApp, and Venmo accepted. (provided by Friends of Roosevelt group)

If other options are preferred, there is a McDonalds across from the park entrance and a Subway at a local gas station/convenience store near the interstate exit.

** Roosevelt State Park enforces a daily admission fee for persons entering the park and this will apply to those attending our tournament. See below in registration section for more information.

A pre-event briefing is emailed to registered players within three days prior to the tournament. Please make sure the email address you enter at registration is active and that you check it regularly.

MORTON – A record number of chess players from Mississippi and one from across the country gathered to compete for prizes at Roosevelt State Park.

The 4th annual Roosevelt Chess Classic was held Nov. 9, 2024, when 75 players battled for prizes, improved ratings, and bragging rights. While most of the players came from across Mississippi, including two from Scott and Newton counties, one player traveled from Alabama and another from New York to participate. 

The turnout set a new record for a single chess tournament hosted by the Scott County Chess Club since 2021. Including the tournament series held in the spring and the new one added in the summer, this Roosevelt event brought the combined turnout over eight tournaments to 399 players who have visited Scott County to play chess.

Chris Allen Baker, club founder and coordinator, said this event is an example of Scott County being an established favorite destination for chess players that is continuing to grow.

“I am immensely proud that so many people who love chess are choosing to play with us each year. Players tell me all the time this is one of their favorite tournaments which is humbling to know we are providing a quality opportunity for them,” Baker said. 

A particular distinction this year included the participation of Justin Sarkar of New York who holds the rank of an international master having a U.S. Chess Federation rating of 2351. Sarkar said he learned about the Roosevelt tournament through the Federation website. He is on a mission to play an event in each of the states and Mississippi was his 47th visit, leaving Utah, Alaska, and Hawaii on his list.

“This is a special place. I haven’t been to a tournament with this kind of scenery,” Sarkar said. “This is a very nice setting and I played some good players. Clayton (Thrasher) is pretty good,” he said, referring to a highly rated Mississippi player from Raymond. “I always have to watch out for kids because they can be really good. I enjoyed the visit overall.” 

Paul Smith, a chess coach who brought a team from St. Andrews Episcopal School in Ridgeland, said Sarkar’s visit was a rare opportunity for his students to meet a player of that caliber. 

“He was very kind and gracious to play one of my students. Justin said after the game that Max (Moore) showed him a variation of strategy that he had never seen before and was impressed,” Smith said. 

Baker said Sarkar’s visit was a special and unexpected honor which means a lot to the chess club.

“I was really blown away when he registered. It is incredible to have someone of his talent and skill to fly from New York to play in our tournament considering the many larger venues he has played,” Baker said. “We are no longer building chess opportunities just in Scott County for Mississippians. We are getting noticed on a national level.” 

Champions, second, and third place winners were crowned among individuals and teams at the Alfreda-Harris Lodge in four sections over four rounds of action. The tournament hosted 10 teams that included four schools sending players to Morton. Prizes included trophies, medals, and cash.

Players were grouped among four sections according to their ratings with the Federation. This tournament was also unique in the sections were unusually even in numbers of players ranging from two sections with 16 and 17 respectively, and two sections with 21 players.

Each round lasted a little more than 45 minutes and players had a wide diversity of ratings reflecting some of the best players in the state. 

There was also an increase in the number of local players including Malcolm Johnson, of Newton who plays regularly at the club’s meetings, and Sufyan Mahdi of Forest who has participated in the club’s annual chess camps.   

“I am excited that so many people want to be part of what we are doing in Scott County. I hope this sets the stage for seeing more local faces in our tournaments as our club grows and players choose to participate in these major events,” Baker said.

The club receives support from 10 businesses across the county who contribute to the tournaments each year.

“We greatly appreciate the support they provide, and we couldn’t do any of this without them. Their proceeds fund the prizes for the winners first, and then other expenses. We welcome anyone looking to invest in chess that provides many opportunities for the community,” Baker said.

MORTON –  Beautiful clear skies and scenery of one of Mississippi's best state parks greeted 59 chess players from across Mississippi for the 3rd annual Roosevelt Chess Classic.  

The Classic was held Nov. 4 at Roosevelt State Park where 59 players from Mississippi battled for prizes, improved ratings, and earned bragging rights. This event brought the turnout total to 251 players who have visited Scott County for chess in all combined tournaments.

Champions were crowned at Alfreda-Harris Lodge in three sections over four rounds of action. In addition to individuals, the tournament featured 10 teams that included seven schools sending players to Morton. 

Chris Allen Baker, founder and coordinator of the hosting Scott County Chess Club, said the turnout was potentially higher as there were 63 players pre-registered and one walk-in.

“This tournament was a real joy to host. We had players from across Mississippi. We lost a few players to withdrawals through understandable and extenuating circumstances” Baker said. "It is a sign that Scott County has become a popular destination for chess in our state. I heard many compliments all day from the players who said they were impressed with the venue and the tournament itself.”

Players participated in sections where they are grouped according to their ratings with the U.S. Chess Federation with each round lasting a little more than 45 minutes. 

While only one of the players had local ties, Baker said he hopes this success sets the stage for more players from Scott County to participate in the future.

“I am so excited that so many people from across the state wanted to be a part of what we are doing here. We allowed anyone who wanted to see a tournament like this to come see what it is about, and we did have some spectators,” Baker said. “It would be great to see more local faces around these chess boards. The potential is there.”

The event also saw additional support from the business community which donated funds toward the prizes. 

“We could not do this without the support of our sponsors and partners. We appreciate their contributions and this year added more to the roster,” Baker said. “We appreciate every business who stepped up to help us.”

MORTON – A second-year chess tournament attracted players from across Mississippi and beyond to Scott County recently and increased participation since its first outing.

The 2nd annual Roosevelt Chess Classic was held Nov. 5 at Roosevelt State Park where 69 players from Mississippi and Louisiana battled for prizes, improved ratings, and earned bragging rights. This event brought the turnout total to 147 players who have visited Scott County for chess in the past year.

Players braved a rainstorm during their arrivals and settled in for the day-long event at Alfreda-Harris Lodge that crowned champions in three sections over four rounds of action. In addition to individuals, the tournament featured 10 teams that included seven schools sending players to Morton. 

Chris Allen Baker, founder and coordinator of the hosting Scott County Chess Club, said the turnout was a significant increase over the past two tournaments. Last year’s Roosevelt event included 46 players and 32 players played in the Bienville event in May. 

“This tournament was incredible. We had players from North Mississippi to the coast and across Central Mississippi. It is a sign that Scott County is becoming a popular destination for chess in our state. I heard all day from the players who said they were impressed with the venue,” Baker said. “We are building something really special here.”

Players participated in sections where they are grouped according to their ratings with the U.S. Chess Federation with each round lasting a little more than 45 minutes. 

While only one of the players had local ties, Baker said he hopes this success sets the stage for more players from Scott County to participate in the future.

“I am so excited that so many people from across the state wanted to be a part of what we are doing here. We allowed anyone who wanted to see a tournament like this to come see what it is about, and we did have some spectators,” Baker said. “It would be great to see more local faces around these chess boards. The potential is there.”

The event also saw additional support from the business community which donated funds toward the prizes. 

“We could not do this without the support of our sponsors and partners. We appreciate their contributions and this year added more to the roster,” Baker said. “We appreciate every business who stepped up to help us.”

MORTON – A large group of chess players came to Scott County recently from across Mississippi and three other states to participate in a tournament held at Roosevelt State Park, a venue that has caught the attention of the state’s chess community.

The Scott County Chess Club, in partnership with the Capital City Chess Club in Pearl, hosted the first Roosevelt Chess Classic Tournament on November 13, 2021, at Alfreda-Harris Lodge. Nearly 50 players participated, coming from Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Florida.

The tournament proved intense with its most competitive division ending in a three-way tie, capping off a day of four rounds with players participating in individual sections and team categories.

“This was a great day for chess in the state and especially in our community,” said Chris Allen Baker, coordinator and founder of the club in Scott County. “We had great feedback from our players who said they really enjoyed the venue at Roosevelt and are already looking forward to the next tournament here in 2022. We were thrilled that so many people supported us, and it made for a wonderful experience for everyone.”

The tournament included four sections where players were grouped according to their skills reflected through U.S. Chess Federation ratings, including Open, U1400, U1000, and U500. The Open section included players from all ratings levels. Players could also sign in as teams where individual wins would count toward team totals.

The three players who tied for first in the Open section received $117 each from a pot of $351 that was made possible through donations from Community Bank, Bank of Morton, Cox Chevron, and Tom Miles – State Representative. Other winners received ribbons and teams received trophies.

Some of the younger players participated in their first chess tournament and others boosted their tournament experience. 

“I had a fun day with Matt at a chess tournament in Morton at the Roosevelt State Park,” said David Cummings of Grenada. Cummings has ties to Scott County and his son won a second-place award. Cummings noted that they capped the day with dinner at The Ribcage in Morton. 

Some players did not finish with an award, but still came away feeling like winners for the experience, such as Peter Buys. His parents, David and Katie, are just learning about the game but support their son in his participation.

“(Peter) is learning the game and now engaging in competition. He didn’t place, but he did well and ‘won’ just by getting out there. I’m reminded again that ‘it takes a village,’” David said. “(Friends) told us about the tournament that Scott County Chess Club so wonderfully organized. I am grateful for our village near and far who are helping our children find their way.”

While most of the players were visitors, Scott County still benefitted from the event, such as Boy Scout Troop 63 of Forest which provided concessions during the day.

“This is the first step of more to come. We had the Scouts using this as a fundraiser and a local restaurant gained customers through the event,” Baker said. “Chess events can bring in visitors who will eat here, buy gas, possibly stay overnight, and perhaps shop around during their visit. Whether it is the players who love the game or family and friends who support them or our businesses they visit, chess can help everyone in some way.”

Roosevelt State Park also caught the attention of leaders in the Mississippi Chess Association as one official has booked Alfreda-Harris Lodge for a scholastic tournament for students in January. More tournaments are planned for 2022.

“As far as the Scott County Chess Club, I plan to have two tournaments each year, spring and fall, and others in our chess community could come into the fold as well. Roosevelt State Park could become a significant venue for chess activity in Mississippi and beyond,” Baker said.