Palmetto Scholastic Chess League

A Premier Monthly Scholastic Tournament Series

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 chess throughout the state! Separate sections for High School, Middle School, and Elementary School provides balanced competition and encourages players to form teams representing their school to win awards.

Conveniently Scheduled, Easy to Enter

PSCL events occur once a month on a Saturday. Games start at 10:00 a.m. and finish before lunch. The games are officially rated by US Chess, meaning that all players will be nationally ranked after playing (for example, see scholastic player Charlie Jordan's US Chess profile). If you are already a US Chess member, it's only $20 to enter.

First Timers Get a US Chess Membership!

For those playing their first US Chess tournament, registration is $25, which includes a US Chess membership that the Columbia Chess Club will create for you! (A youth membership itself costs $24 from US Chess as of January 1, 2025).

PSCL I on January 4, 2025: Meet National Master Sam Copeland!

NM Sam Copeland, Head of Community at Chess.com, will be on hand to have fun with players!

[Read Sam's Bio] [Sam's Chess.com Video Lessons] [Sam's Chess.com Blog] [Sam's YouTube Channel]

Many may remember Sam for his organization of Strategery and the successful Midland's Scholastic Chess League tournaments that his company ran from 2014-2020. His efforts formed the inspiration for the Palmetto Scholastic Chess League, and we're excited to have him with us for the re-launch of monthly scholastic events!

Tournament Details:

Online Registration

Standard Registration is $20 for players with US Chess memberships. First-time tournament players $25, which includes a US Chess membership that the club will create for you using the email you provide at registration. Registration limited to first 74 players. If you need to renew your existing US Chess membership, please visit https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess.

Format

4-Round Swiss - players play all 4 rounds and are not eliminated. Each player will play with a 10 minute starting time and will get an additional 5 seconds with each move. (G/10;+5). This will affect the player's US Chess "Quick" rating. All equipment provided. Tournament has three sections: High School (9-12), Middle School (6-8), Elementary School (K-5). We reserve the right to combine sections during play, but prizes will be awarded separately for each section.

Schedule

Round 1: 10:00 a.m.

Round 2: 10:35 a.m.

Round 3: 11:10 a.m.

Round 4: 11:45 a.m.

Awards: 12:15 p.m.

Can't make every round? We can give you one 1/2 point bye for any round if you let us know in the registration comments or before the tournament starts.

Awards:

Team Trophies

Individual Trophies

Trophies to first place each top-finishing High School, Middle School, and Elementary School teams. The top three players from each school have their points combined to form a team score. The school with the highest team score wins. Results will be reported to school administration.

Individual Trophies

The top three players from each of the High School, Middle School, and Elementary School sections receive individual trophies. In the event of a tie for first, a blitz playoff is played between the players tied to determine first place. US Chess tiebreaks are used otherwise.

Superlative Awards

Individual Trophies

Superlative Awards

Special Awards to:

Biggest Upset

Top Female Performance

Youngest Participant

Best First Tournament

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@columbiachess.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

How do teams work?

When you register, you provide the name of your school. All players who report that they attend the same school will be on the same team. This means that they will not be paired against each other as much as possible (typically only when needed to determine a top prize). The best three scores on a team will be added together to form a team score. For example, if you bring 6 players, only the top three scores will count. Larger teams may, therefore, have an advantage, but smaller teams (even two-player teams) can be successful. A single player is not eligible for a team prize.

How can I get ready for a first tournament?

We have put together a guide to attending your first scholastic tournament at the Columbia Chess Club.

Select a tournament to Register: