2026 South Carolina Scholastic Chess Championship – Saturday March 21, 2026 – SC Residents ONLY

• High School (9th-12th grade)
• Middle School (6th-8th grade)
• Elementary School (K-5th grade)
• Primary School (K-3rd grade). In 2026, US Chess is introducing the first K-3 National Tournament, so for the first time, the top-finishing K-3 player will qualify for nationals!
• Girls’ Championship Organized Separately on April 11, 2026

• 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.

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

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

Rules note: As a combined individual-team event, US Chess Rule 28N is in effect. Our pairing program will attempt to avoid players registered under the same team from playing against one another during Rounds 1 and 2.

STATE FINALS (by invitation) on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at the Columbia Chess Club (6169 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212).  3-Round Swiss, G/75;+5

• Top 8 Players in each of High School, Middle School, Elementary School, and Primary School (K-3) from State Championship invited.
• All players awarded trophies based on finish in their section, title of State Champion to winner in each section.
• First tiebreak based on player’s score in March 21, 2026 State Championship Tournament.
• Schedule Round 1, 9:30 a.m.; Round 2, 1:00 p.m.; Round 3, 4:15 p.m.; 7 p.m. Awards.
• The SC Chess Association awards the first place finisher in each section an invitation and a stipend to compete as the South Carolina representative to the following national tournaments hosted at the US Open Championship during August 3-9, 2026 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ($5000 Scholarship Top Prizes): Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions; Barber National Tournament of Middle School State Champions; Rockefeller National Tournament of Elementary School State Champions; GM Maurice Ashley National Tournament of K-3 State Champions.