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 champions. 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.