SC State Qualifier Event Nov 21st

Earn a spot in the SC State Championship on Nov 21st in the Online SC State Qualifier Event.

4 Rd online G 30+5 tournament.  $25 entry fee

More information   http://chess.stream/southcarolina/

Register Here   https://chess.stream/southcarolina/register

The SC State Championship will be on Dec 5th at the Aloft Columbia Harbison.  Due to the current COVID concerns this will be a closed event of 6 players in a round robin.

1. NM Mike Sailer- 2019 SC State Champion

2. NM Alexander Matros - By Rating

3. NM Sam Copeland - By Rating

4. NM Klaus Pohl- SC Senior Qualifier

5. TBD SC State Qualifier Nov 21

6. TBD SC State Qualifier Nov 21

3rd Match in Clubs League with Huntsville CC

Congrats to Sam Copeland, rg8check, Mike Sailer, CheckmateB4Material, JSATiger, jarlaxle36, anpu3,RadSun09, minetroopa  who played last Saturday!  It was a great turnout with 10 boards apiece.  Starting round 1 up 6-4, we lost 10.5 to 9.5 in a very competitive match with Cercle E'cheses de Hull.  Our third match is this Saturday, June 6th, at 1 pm.

In the Clubs league there are currently 115 confirmed clubs from 36 countries. Chess.com’s Clubs League 2020 season will be Saturday, May 23 (first match) through Saturday, July 11 (final match).  The league will have weekly matches on eight (8) consecutive Saturdays – May 23, May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 4, and July 11.

Our next match is this Saturday, June 6th at 1:00pm EDT against Huntsville Chess Club from Huntsville, AL.  We need 4 minimum and would like to have more.  I don't believe HCC will bring 10 like Cercle but they will try  I hope you can spare an hour to play 2 games.  Please let me know if you can play so I can get a feel for the turnout.

The match will be time control of - Custom - 15 mins + 2 second increment - no adjustments to this time control are permitted.  Club matches automatically pair players based on Chess.com rapid ratings, and players will play two games (white/black) against the same opponent.  Each player's second game will start immediately after the first game finishes.

Players will only be able to join the match up to one hour in advance. If players are late to the match, there is no way to add them in later.  It is recommended that all players show up early to the match and ensure their internet connection is stable.

After the match concludes, each team's club will have a direct link to the games and results on their club pages.

Please let me know if I left out any crucial info.

More info about the Clubs League if interested.

Very cool map of all the clubs in the League.

https://www.mapcustomizer.com/map/ExeterPrez-ClubsLeagueMap-Version1

Standings

https://www.chess.com/news/view/standings-after-round-1-1

Rules

https://www.chess.com/news/view/clubs-league-rules-and-format-1

Info

https://www.chess.com/news/view/chess-com-clubs-league-essential-info

Online Tournament tonight at 7:45 PM EST
4 rd swiss G15+10
 https://www.chess.com/live#t=1176759

Due to severe weather threat in the area we will postpone quick night until next week.  There may be a few people playing but no organized chess play tonight.

Columbia Represents; NM Mike Sailer SC Champion

The Columbia Chess Club came out in full force at the 80th SC Chess Championship on Oct 12-13 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

In the Open Section, Congratulations are in order to NM Mike Sailer (2214) on a great performance to claim SC Champion at the SC Chess Championships! Mike finished the tournament with 3.5/5 points.  This is NM Sailer's second SC Championship and 19th overall. Before moving to South Carolina from North Dakota he claimed the ND championship 17-times. North Carolina resident Prady Kothapalli (2183) won the Open Section going undefeated and scoring 4.5/5.

In the U1800 section, Eli Moore(1800) pushed hard for the win in the last round averting a 4 way tie for first place.  Eli played mature and solid chess on his way to an undefeated 4.5/5 point event.  Dan Quigley(1799) tied for second place with 4.0 points and claimed the section's Senior prize.

In the U1400 section, Eren Bilen, playing in his first weekend tournament, played unrelenting chess on his way to a 4.5 point event and U1400 SC Champion.  Also playing in his first weekend tournament, Krishna Somesula scored 4 points on his way to a sole second place finish.  The event was tension filled. Sections were undecided to the last pawn push, with the top boards in the U1400 and U1800 were the last two games playing.

Upcoming tournaments:
Round 1 Firefly Long tournament Oct 17-Nov 7th.  1 Round per week. 2 Sections Open and U1505.
Midlands Scholastic Chess League I Oct 19 Adult Section

80th SC Chess Championships

The 80th SC Chess Championships is upcoming on October 12-13.

5-round swiss, Game 90/+30 incr;   (Rd. 1 is: G75/+30)

Special Saturday only Amateur Tournament (4-round swiss; G30/d5)

Sections:  Open – FIDE-rated
                U1800 (Under 1600 prizes)
                U1400 (Under 1200, U1000 prizes)
             
                Amateur Saturday Only(1 section)

Schedule:2-day (Sat. – 10:00 a.m., 2 p.m., 7 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.)
                Saturday Amateur(Sat. – 10:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 2:00 p.m.; 3:30 p.m.)
                State Affiliate Meeting 1:30 PM Sunday or immediately after Rd 4


Byes:                One half-point byes allowed; must be requested before round 3.No 5th round byes.
Prizes:          $2600 total.  Based on 50 Total Entries
Open $1,000 – $500 – $300 - $250 – $150 – $125 – $125 – $100 – $100 – $100
Under prizes:  U2100, U1850, U1550, U1200:  $151 – 101 each section
Scholastic:  5 trophies in each of the three sections
Entry fee:        $65 received by Oct 9th, 2019; $75 thereafter or on site; Re-entry fee:  $25
        State Affiliate membership required, dues SCCA $10, Other state memberships accepted.
Amateur:  $20 received by Oct. 9, 2019; $25 thereafter or on site.
Enter:        Online (http://strategerycg.com/SCChamps.html) or mail fee with entry information to:  Daniel M. Smith, 407 White Falls Dr., Columbia, SC 29212.
                Registration on site:  Sat.: 8:30-9:30a.m.
Hotel:        Hilton Garden Inn (803) 407-6640 mention chess, or reserve through our website:  https://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/C/CAECOGI-CHESS-20191011/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

New Meeting Location FireFly Toys and Games

We are now meeting at Firefly Toys and Games at 736 St. Andrews Rd. Columbia, SC 29210. Meeting time start at 7:00 pm and rated play starts at 7:30 pm. Please register for rated events by 7:15 pm each Thursday evening.

Chess in 2019

Ashland 2019.1 began with Round 1 on Jan 3.  A bakers dozen of players pining for chess action came out to kick the year off right after a long Holiday break.

Round 2 is Thursday Jan 10th Register by 7:15; Round starts at 7:30

Four round Swiss.  G60 +30s inc
Two Sections, Open & Amateur (U1505). Sections may be combined based on attendance.

One round a week for four weeks.

Entry fee $2 for club members, $5 for non-members

You do not have to play every round. 

Upcoming Tournaments:

Jan 19 - GSSM Jan Open - Hartsville, SC
Jan 25 - 27 Land of the Sky - Asheville, NC
Feb 9-10  Columbia Open - Columbia, SC
Feb 23 - Reverse Angle - Charlotte, NC

GM Visit, 2018 SC Championship

Thursday November 1st, GM Elshan Moradiabadi will be giving a chess lecture and a simultaneous exhibition,where he plays many players at once, at the St. Andrews regional library.

For more information click here.
The Columbia Chess club will not meet at the church on Thursday due to attending this event.

The 79th SC Champs is this weekend. If you aren't registered you should check out this page.
Pre Registered list is here.

Recent Activities and Upcoming Events, 79th SC CHAMPIONSHIPS

In our First Ever Blitz Championship , Edsel Pena, claimed the title only gaining the upper hand in the last round.  In a tight battle, Edsel scored an impressive 8 points out of 10, with Gil Holmes scoring 7.5 points claiming second place overall.

Ashland 67 consisted of twenty seven players over five rounds playing classical chess at a G60 + 30 second increment.  In the top section,  Dan Quigley claimed first place with 3 points and Dan Horwitz scored 2 points, claiming second.
In the U1505 section, Ross Simmons pushed ahead in the last round with an impressive 4 points.  Andrew Bouman claimed second with 3.5 points.

In the 4th Ashland Quick tournament of the year, 16 players battled in rapid play.
In the Top Swiss section Gil Holmes, Eli Moore, Charles Stevenson created a logjam for first with 2 points each.
In the Middle Swiss, Daniel Smith and newcomer to the club, Stephen Nelson split first with 2.5 points each.
In the remaining Quad, Calvin Smith and William Bao split first with 2.5 points each.

Our next club event starts on Thursday Sept 20th with Round 1 of Ashland 68.  This will be a 4 round event with two sections, Open and U1505.  The time control is G60 + 30 sec increment.  Register by 7:15pm on Thursday to be counted.

October 18th we will host the fifth Ashland Rapid tourney of the year.  There will be 3 rounds on the night at G15+10 sec increment.

October 25 we will have a 3 round Chess 960 tournament at G15+ 10 sec increment.

November 1st we will have a stress free casual night at the British Bulldog Pub.

November 2-4th is the 79th SC Championships at the Hilton Garden Inn on Columbiana Dr. 
Our current club champion, National Master Sam Copeland is the defending South Carolina champion.  Will he defend successfully for a second straight year?  For more information and to register, Please visit SCChess.org.

Sam Copeland wins Championship with 5-0 score!

Sam Copeland(2267) is the new 2018 Club Champion with a perfect 5-0 score!

Eli Moore(1642) claims second place and runner up with 4 points, only succumbing to Copeland in round 2.

Newcomer to the club, Danny Simmons(1308) claims the U1600 prize with an impressive 3 points.

Birney Blind(1113) claims the U1300 prize with 2 points.

Eighteen players came out for the 10th anniversary of the Columbia Chess Club Championship.
Congratulations to all who enjoyed the competition.

The upcoming club schedule for the next few months:

May 24th meet at British Bulldog Pub to award trophies and play some stress free chess.

May 31st Ashland Rapid 66 at Ashland UMC.  3 games of G15+10.

June 7th  Lecture at Ashland UMC.  Come and learn and play stress free chess.

June 14th Ashland Blitz tourney.  Game 3+2.

June 21st Chess 960 tourney 3 games of G15+10.

June 28th meet at British Bulldog Pub and play some stress free chess.

July 5th No Meeting.  Happy Holiday!

July 12th Ashland Rapid 67 at Ashland UMC.  3 games of G15+10.

July 19th Club Blitz championship. Game 3+2.

July 26th. meet at British Bulldog Pub and play some stress free chess.  Ashland has Camp night.


Other tournaments of note are:
Carolinas Classic, Charlotte, NC June 8-10.
Castle Chess Emory Universary Atlanta, GA  June 22-24
World Open Philadelphia, PA July 3-8th Multiple schedules
SC Open Greenville, SC in September
NC Open Greensboro, NC in August

Club Championship starts April 19th

Club Championship starts April 19th in 1 open section 5 rds $10 entry. G75+30. 1 1/2 pt bye allowed no last rd byes. 1st and 2nd place trophies U1600 trophy, U1300 trophy. There will be an U1200 section for those who choose not to participate in the Championship.

Ashland 58 Underway

Six players crossed swords in Round 1 of Ashland 58 with Dan Quigley (1753) scoring the point over Marty Anderson (1538), Jordan Anderson (1451) splitting the point with  Andrew Bouman (1240) and Mike Meekins (1286) scoring a first round win. 

Ashland 58 will continue with Round 2 on Jan 18. Register by 7:15; Round starts at 7:30

Four round Swiss.  G60 +30s inc

Two Sections, Open & Amateur (U1505). Sections may be combined based on attendance.

One round a week for four weeks.

Entry fee $2 for club members, $5 for non-members

You do not have to play every round. You can play one round or four!

 Upcoming Tournaments:

Jan 20 - Reverse Angle - Charlotte, NC
Jan 26 - 28 Land of the Sky - Asheville, NC
Feb 17 - Reverse Angle - Charlotte, NC

Cold start to 2018

2018 began quietly with a half dozen players anxious to get back to to board after the Holiday break. Tonight's rated round was postponed until next week so only friendly battles were waged this evening.

Ashland 58 will begin with Round 1 on Jan 11. Register by 7:15; Round starts at 7:30

Four round Swiss.  G60 +30s inc
Two Sections, Open & Amateur (U1505). Sections may be combined based on attendance.

One round a week for four weeks.

Entry fee $2 for club members, $5 for non-members

You do not have to play every round. You can play one round or four!

Upcoming Tournaments:

Jan 13 - GSSM Jan Open - Hartsville, SC
Jan 20 - Reverse Angle - Charlotte, NC
Jan 26 - 28 Land of the Sky - Asheville, NC
Feb 17 - Reverse Angle - Charlotte, NC

Ashland LVI and SC Champs

Round 4 of Ashland LVI occurs on Thursday Aug 17th.

Currently, Ben Caiello and Rade Musulin are leading with 1.5 pts in the Top section.

In the U1505 section, newcomer to the club Andrew Bouman leads with 2 points.

Next Week, Aug 24th we will play a rapid event with the time control at G15+10sec increment.
3 rated games will be played.

Other upcoming events to note is the Annual SC Border Battle against NC which occurs on Aug 19th and 20th.

The 78th SC State Championships will take place on Oct 14th and 15th at the Wingate by Wyndham in Lexington right off I20 and 378 exit.

Details of the even can be viewed at USCF TLA or the SCChess site.

You can also register here.

Section

Open Section $60.00 USD U1900 Section $60.00 USD U1500 Section $60.00 USD

USCF ID

Requested Byes?

Hope to see you across the board soon.

SC Chess Festival and Upcoming Events

Too much fun was had at the SC Chess Festival! Thirty two competed in the Rapid event and Twenty six in the Blitz.

Ben Caiello came away with all the hardware as he is the SC Rapid and Blitz Champion as well as the Regular champion for 2016-2017.
Full Crosstables of Rapid and Blitz.

Ben Caiello and James MacDougall won the Bughouse event where ten teams competed.

Eli Moore claimed the U1600 Rapid prize and Braeden Reed claimed the U1200.

This Thursday we will had a Rapid event; 3 rounds of G15;10s.
Next week April 6th we will have a themed Rapid tourney(unrated). Play the Swashbuckling Blackmar Diemar Gambit(1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4)

April 13th we wont meet due to the Easter Holiday.

April 20th will start our Columbia Club Championship and will run for 5 rounds through May 18th. This will be 1 section to decide the 2017 Columbia Chess Club Champion.

Border Battle dates will be announced soon and if you are interest in playing let me know.

Ashland Rapid Rocked!!

In preparation for the upcoming SC Chess Festival, Twelve wood grapplers did battle and had a great time over the boards! In the top section, SC powerhouses Keith Eubanks, James MacDougall and Leo Rabulan returned to the club and got their money's worth. In the second swiss section, Charles Robinson took first place with 2.5 points. It was a fantastic fun night for Rapid chess! Next week is a rated Blitz tourney and Casual night before the SC Chess Festival.

Ben Caiello new SC State Champion

Forty-three players entered this year's five round championship event at the Hilton Garden Inn in Columbia October 14th-16th.

Congratulations to GM Elshan Moradiabadi and WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor on winning first and second place prizes in the Open Section! Both Grandmasters went undefeated throughout tournament play.

Congratulations to Benjamin Caiello our new SC State Champion for 2016! Ben, who was also our 2015 State Scholastic Champion and Denker representative, finished the tournament with 3/5 points. Ben and Elijah Neumann (also with 3/5 pts) tied for 1st place with Ben winning on tie-break. Congratulations again to both of these fine players!

Eli Moore won the Junior Championship section and increased his rating by 120 points! The South Carolina Chess Association would like to thank all players and spectators who helped make this year’s tournament a success! Special thanks to David Causey and Daniel Smith for organizing and directing this year's event. Thank you Jordan Anderson for your TD help on Saturday. Drew Plyler provided the live broadcast of board 1. David and Maureen Grimaud accompanied GM Elshan and WGM Sabina during their stay here in Columbia. This event was sponsored by Precision Tune Auto Care.

Congratulations to this year's winners...
OPEN SECTION: (1st) GM Elshan Moradiabadi (TX) 4.5 pts; (2nd) WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor (TX) 4.0 pts
U2200: (1st/SC State Champion) Benjamin Caiello (SC) 3.0 pts (Tie-break) (T)
U2000: (2nd/SC Runner Up) Elijah Neumann (SC) 3.0 pts (T)
Top Senior: Edsel Pena (SC) 2.5 pts (T), Keith Eubanks (SC) 2.5 pts, Gene Nix (SC) 2.5 pts, Donny Gray (FL) 2.5 pts

AMATEUR SECTION/U1800
U1800: (1st) Shaun McCoy (SC) 4.0 pts (T); Jayavel Kumaresan (GA) 4.0 pts  
U1600: (2nd) Gil Padilla Ortiz (SC) 3.5 pts (T)
Top Senior: Gil Padilla Ortiz (SC) 3.5 pts (T)
RESERVE SECTION/U1400
U1400: (1st) Venkata Guruvelli (SC) 4.5 pts (T); (2nd) Paul Pena (SC) 4.0 pts (T)
U1200: Richard Trela (SC) 2.0 pts
U1000: William Tabakian (SC) 1.0 pts
Top Senior: Gary Morrow (SC) 3.0 pts (T)
JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (under 19)
(1st) Eli Moore (SC) 3.0 pts (T), (2nd) Mohnish Behera (NC) 3.0 pts, (3rd) Alex Tabakian (SC) 2.5 pts

GM Ftacnik visits

He's been to Greenville and hes been to Charleston and tonight GM Lubomir Ftacnik will be giving a lecture and simultaneous exhibition tonight at the St Andrews Regional Library 2916 Broad River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210. Lecture will start promptly at 6:30pm.  $5 donations to SCChess will be accepted.
Come and learn and see if you can win a game vs a GM.

Rapid May 19th and Play opportunities

Charleston Chess Club starts their championship on Wednesday.  Register by 7 pm round starts at 7:30pm. Anyone from Columbia planning on going?

Thursday we will have a rapid tournament with 3 games of G15 +10inc.  Quads based on rating otherwise a small swiss section.  Hope to see you all there.

There's a Reverse Angle Tourney in Charlotte on Saturday.  http://www.charlottechesscenter.org/#!reverse-angle/c23f7

Plenty of opportunities to get out and play.

Here's a k and p endgame to chew on.
W to move.