FRANKLIN CHESS CENTER

The Franklin Chess Center is a project of the Southwest Mississippi Chess Foundation. The center offers after-school chess classes Monday-Thursday and most Saturdays. It is directed by head instructor, Dr. Jeff Bulington, who is assisted by coaches Theresa Bee and National Master Benson Schexnaydre.

The center opened in October of 2016 and primarily serves students attending the Franklin County School District. Aside from our after-school program, we provide chess classes during the school day to interested students in grades 1-12.

We run tournaments that are open to players from around Mississippi and neighboring states, as well as offering chess related in-service training for K-12 teachers.

Our center has garnered national media attention and recognition from US Chess. We have helped produce multiple Mississippi state individual and team scholastic hampions. In May of 2024 the Franklin County Middle School team placed first in the U1700 division of the National K-8 Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.

As a fundamental part of our mission we utilize chess to complement students’ attainment of academic knowledge and life experience. Chess is used to teach “across the curriculum.” Our center fosters student online learning and participation in over the board tournaments across Mississippi, and throughout the United States. As students advance through our program they learn to make themselves accountable for their own learning and to value what can be learned from other players (locally, around the world, and across the history of recorded chess).

Franklin County Schools Superintendent Chris Kent observes:

"There are so many life skills that chess teaches the player that will help them not only in school but also when faced with the many decisions and challenges anyone has to make in a lifetime. As Superintendent of Education I am very proud of the success of  the Franklin County Chess program and I am equally proud of all the life skills I see each player develop during their time playing chess."

 The Franklin Chess Center occupies the historic Whittington/Nigel Zachary Wentworth Building at 63 Main Street, Meadville, Mississippi.