the place to play chess
6169 St. Andrews Rd
Columbia, SC
Hours
Tues. 4:30-9:30 pm (Kid's Night / Quad Night)
Thurs. 5:00-10:30 pm (Main)
Weekday Events (EVERY WEEK):
- Free Casual Play
- $5 Unrated Tournament Wins US Chess Membership
- $5 Rated Tournament Wins Medal
- Best suited for K-12 youth players that are unrated or rated <1000.
- See Kid's Night details and registration.
- Players grouped into tournaments of 4 players based on US Chess rating
- $20 entry fee wins $40, $45 with perfect score
- Suitable for all rated players of any age.
- See Quad Night details and registration.
5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Main Meeting
- 5-6 p.m. Free Casual Play and Coaching
- 6-7 p.m. $5 Blitz / Rapid Tournament
- 7-10 p.m. $5 Classical Tournament
- Suitable for all players of all ages, including unrated and rated. This is our main meeting, so chess is happening at all levels all evening--from new adults and new kids, to the most seasoned competition.
- See Main Meeting details and registration.
Weekend Events (PER SCHEDULE):
The Columbia Chess Club awards $1000 in guaranteed prizes every month as part of the Tunnelvision tournament series. The tournament boasts some of the state's strongest players in regular attendance. Come rub elbows with the best while still having a section suited to your experience level!
- 4-Round Swiss, G/45+5 (Dual Rated)
- Sections: Championship (1600+), U1600, U1000.
- Streamed live to Chess.com, Lichess.org and broadcast on Twitch.
- $1000 Guaranteed Prizes
- 10:30 a.m. start, runs until approximately 6:10 p.m.
The Columbia Chess Club organizes the Palmetto Scholastic Chess League (PSCL) as a regular monthly tournament series to encourage the organization of scholastic chess clubs and to promote scholastic competition throughout the state!
- 4-Round Swiss, G/10+5 (Quick Rated)
- Sections: High School, Middle School, Elementary School
- First-timers get US Chess membership with registration
- Team trophies, Individual trophies, and Superlative Awards
- 10:00 a.m. start, finishes at 12:15 p.m. with awards
2025 South Carolina Scholastic Chess Championship
The Columbia Chess Club is proud to organize the 2025 SC Scholastic Championship at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on March 22, 2025! Sanctioned by the South Carolina Chess Association, this is the largest rated scholastic tournament in the State, running since 1988. Winners in High, Middle, and Elementary Schools win the title of State Champion and qualify to the National Tournament of State Champions. Winning schools take home the title of State Team Champion!