Hosted by the Columbia Chess Club
For South Carolina residents only.
The largest chess event in the state returns this spring with an international legacy behind it. The 2026 South Carolina Scholastic State Championship will take place on Saturday, March 21 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, bringing together students from across the state to compete in a game played around the world.
Hosted by the Columbia Chess Club, this championship connects local players to a global tradition. Chess originated in Northern India during the Gupta Empire in the 6th century CE, evolving from the game chaturanga. It spread to Persia as shatranj, moved through the Arab world, and reached Europe, where it developed into its modern form by 1500 CE. Today, chess is played in 172 countries, making this South Carolina competition part of a centuries old international story.