Kenneth I. Stokes Chess Tournament
By Dr. Anne T. Sulton, Esq.
Jackson Advocate Senior International Correspondent
The second of four special Jackson Advocate sponsored events to honor the 100th anniversary of the late Charles W. Tisdale’s birth was presented on Saturday, April 4th, by the Medgar Evers Library. This event is the Kenneth I. Stokes Inaugural Chess Tournament.
Alice Thomas Tisdale, Jackson Advocate’s Publisher Emerita, said: “This chess tournament is named for Councilman Stokes because of his social justice work with my late husband Charles.”
A special thank you to Medgar Evers librarian Anne Sanders, V.P. & Tournament Director Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association Lizabeth “Beth” Thrasher, Mark Jourdan coaching kids at Raymond Public Library and assisting Thrasher in directing the tournament, Trophy/Medal designer Mae Jones, Food Truck owner Vanessa Edmonds, and Giant Chess Board provider Edelia DrJay Carthan. This family-oriented event was really fun because of their participation and contributions.
Nearly 30 chess players of all ages across the state (including from Jackson, Raymond, Vicksburg, and Hattiesburg) competed for trophies and medals in this exhibition tournament. Their names are listed in the sidebar.
Trophy winner of the elementary school age group is KRIS CHANDER; middle school age group ETHAN JOHNSON; high school age group EZAYLON ROBINSON; and adult BOBURJON BOBONOROV. All other contestants were awarded beautifully designed medals.
Following presentation of trophy winners and medalists in these four categories, Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth I. Stokes and I played a match on the giant chess board, each of us hoping to claim the large Kenneth I. Stokes Chess Champion trophy.
Agreed upon modified rules were used, providing 2-minute intervals to consult with our advisors. Stokes and I each assembled a talented team of chess players having just completed their respective matches.
Tournament Director Beth Thrasher closely monitored the clock and strictly enforced the rules. She knew the stakes were high.
Months before this chess tournament was announced, Stokes and I publicly traded taunts. Stokes said I was “afraid” to play him. I responded by giving him little stuffed lions representing the “courage” he needed to play me.
As Stokes and I approached the giant chess board, an excited tension filled the room. The room fell silent – not even whispers among the audience.
The very first moves followed traditional chess opening strategies – pawn to pawn in the center of the chess board. Bishops then were traded. It was a hard-fought match.
Midway through the match, Stokes removed his suitcoat, pulled out his huge white handkerchief, slowly wiped his wet brow, and then quickly leaned over to his three advisors seeking much needed counsel.
My team was cool, confident, and smiled at Stokes’ obvious distress. The audience too knew Stokes and his advisory team were in deep trouble.
Yet, Stokes managed to win the chess game with surgical precision during the closing moments of the match.
Flanked by his team and other tournament participants, Stokes beamed as he claimed the champion trophy bearing his name.
The champion trophy remains on display at the library, awaiting next year’s tournament. The Second Annual Kenneth I. Stokes Chess Tournament, in 2027, also will be open to the general public to attend and/or play chess free of charge.
