Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian is calling all chess aficionados to a fall chess tournament slated for Saturday, Sept. 28, whether you’re a member of a school team, just learning the basics or a chess prodigy.

The centuries-old board game has seen a resurgence in recent years with a growth of school and community chess programs. MCM-Meridian has been front and center in local efforts to increase the visibility of the game, with this being the third year for the children’s museum to host the tournament.

In the past, MCM-Meridian has had more than 80 individuals participate in the fall chess tournament, said Shelby Chaney, director of fundraising for the museum.

Chess provides children with a way to exercise not only their skills but self-confidence, according to a MCM-Meridian news release. A growing body of research indicates that playing chess improves students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which directly translates to improvement in their math, science and reading scores.

The upcoming tournament is being hosted by MCM-Meridian, but is being run by the Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association.

Players will be divided into four unrated sections for the tournament: kindergarten through second grade, kindergarten through fourth grade, kindergarten through seventh grade and kindergarten through 12th grade, depending on their skill level. Rated sections will be U500, U900 and open.

All ages, including adults, are invited to participate in the Sept. 28 tournament, Chaney said.

The entry fee for the tournament is $20 for both MCM-Meridian members and nonmembers and $5 for each accompanying adult/child who is not a member of the museum. The entry fee increases to $25 on the day of the event and $10 for accompanying non-MCM-Meridian members.

Pre-registration is highly recommended for the tournament, and all entry fees include access to all museum exhibits for the day.

To register online, visit mschildrensmuseum.org/event/fall-chess-tournament.

Online registration will close midday Wednesday, Sept. 25. Check-in and on-site registration will take place from 9-10 a.m. the day of the tournament with walk-ins welcome to participate if capacity allows.

Chess sets, including board, pieces and clocks, will be provided for use during the tournament. Trophies will be awarded to the top three players in each division with tiebreakers determined by computer calculation.

For more information about the Sept. 28 chess tournament, email BethThrasher@MSscholasticChess.org, call or text 601-941-5153 or visit MSscholasticChess.org.