The 2026 South Carolina Senior Championship

Dec 11-13, 2026 (3-day or 2-day format)

Open to players in all states for cash prizes

Ages 50+ (born before 01/01/1977)

USCF+FIDE Rated

Senior Champion title to top SC player, Senior Champion qualifies to John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions

Schedule

Three-day section with a Friday start or Two-day section with start on Saturday morning are offered.  2-day Rounds 1 and 2 will be G/45;+5. All other rounds G/90;+15. 2-day and 3-day sections will merge to a single section beginning with Round 3.

3-day Format:

• Round 1 (3-Day): 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 2026 (G/90;+15)

• Round 2 (3-Day): 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 (G/90;+15)

2-day Format:

• Round 1 (2-Day): 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 (G/45;+5)

• Round 2 (2-Day): 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 (G/45+5)

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• Round 3 (Merged): 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 (G/90;+15)

• Round 4 (Merged): 10:00 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026 (G/90;+15)

• Round 5 (Merged): 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026 (G/90;+15)

Estimated tournament completion by 6:00 p.m. Sunday.

G/90+15 games are FIDE+USCF rated. [See the Columbia Chess Club's comparison of FIDE and USCF rules]. 2-day G/45+5 format games USCF rated only. Tournament paired using FIDE Dutch/Swiss system (USCF rating used for pairings per FIDE Rule C.04.2  at 2.1). Standard USCF rules regarding a player late to the start of the round apply. If you not have a FIDE ID, you can obtain a FIDE ID for free using the USCF's FIDE ID form, and US Chess usually provisions a FIDE ID within 24 hours of submitting the form. Must have FIDE ID to register.

Full Tournament Details: https://columbiachess.org/2026-senior-championship