2026 South Carolina Scholastic Championship

Heritage Event, State Championship Event
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Event Overview

WWW.SCSCHOLASTIC.COM

 

Date: March 21, 2026

2026 South Carolina Scholastic Chess Championship

Organized by the Columbia Chess Club

 

Location

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

1101 Lincoln St

Columbia, SC 29201

 

Registration Details

*ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY* *SC RESIDENTS ONLY*

  • $45 by March 14, 2026, $55 thereafter.  Registration closes 8:30 a.m. on March 21, 2026. 

Top 8 players will earn a spot in the State Finals hosted at the Columbia Chess Club on April 4, 2026.  See Format & Prizes for details.  Girls' Championship hosted on April 11, 2026 at the Columbia Chess Club. (Girls are permitted and encouraged to play both events!).

All Equipment Provided.  No on-site check-in: players not reporting to their first-round game will be withdrawn from the tournament.  Please contact Click here to show mail address if there are any issues with your registration.

Pairings and standings available in real time online, see "Pairings & Standings" in menu. Avoid waits by enrolling in instant email and SMS notification of pairings in the "Pairings and Standing" page for each event. Live broadcast of top boards via video on Twitch.tv and on DGT Livecloud, chess.com, and lichess.org, see "Live Streams" in menu.

For Parking, Hotels, Venue Map, and Food availability, plan your visit.

 

Active USCF membership required. Memberships can be purchased/renewed at uschess.org/join-us-chess.  (USCF Youth memberships currently $24/yr. New players please note that, in addition to obtaining a USCF ID, you must also pay the USCF membership fee to be an active USCF member).

 

Format, SCHEDULE, & Prizes

Sections

  • High School (9th-12th grade)
  • Middle School (6th-8th grade)
  • Elementary School (K-5th grade)
  • Primary (K-3rd grade). Note: Primary K-3 is for newer players; ambitious youngsters should play in K-5 for the Elementary School title. Organizers may require highly competitive players to play in K-5 section at their discretion.
  • Girls' Championship Organized Separately on April 11, 2026

Schedule

  • Round 1: 10:00 a.m.
  • Round 2: 11:20 a.m.
  • Lunch Break (Lunch for sale on-site at concessions, See Menu; note Convention Center's no outside food or drink policy)
  • Round 3: 1:30 p.m.
  • Round 4: 2:50 p.m.
  • Round 5: 4:10 p.m.
  • Awards Ceremony 5:40 p.m.

Format & Prizes

Saturday, March 21, 2026. 5-Round Swiss G/30;d5.

  • Top 8 in High, Middle, and Elementary sections invited to State Finals on April 4, 2026.
  • Top 8 in Primary (K-3) section awarded trophies.  
  • Top 3 Schools in each of High, Middle, and Elementary sections awarded team trophies based on the best 4 player scores.

STATE FINALS (by invitation) 

Saturday, April 4, 2026 at the Columbia Chess Club.  3-Round Swiss, G/75;+5

Address:

1101 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC 29201
United States

Sections:
Grand Prix Points:
Prize Fund:
FIDE Rated: No
Handicap Accessible: No
Residency Restriction: Yes
Online Event: No

Organizer Overview

Columbia Chess Club
Email: info@columbiachess.org
Phone: (803) 569-0938