South Carolina Scholastic Chess Championship

South Carolina Scholastic Chess ChampionshipSouth Carolina Scholastic Chess ChampionshipSouth Carolina Scholastic Chess Championship

South Carolina Scholastic Chess Championship

South Carolina Scholastic Chess ChampionshipSouth Carolina Scholastic Chess ChampionshipSouth Carolina Scholastic Chess Championship
  • Details
  • Register
  • How to Win
  • Player List
  • Girls' Championship
  • Live
    • Video Stream
    • Pairings & Standings
    • DGT LiveCloud (Main)
    • Chess.com Stream (Main)
    • Lichess Stream (Main)
    • Girls' Championship
    • DGT LiveCloud (Girls)
    • Lichess Stream (Girls)
    • Chess.com Stream (Girls)
    • State Finals
    • DGT Livecloud (Finals)
    • Lichess Stream (Finals)
    • Chess.com Stream (Finals)
  • History
  • More
    • Details
    • Register
    • How to Win
    • Player List
    • Girls' Championship
    • Live
      • Video Stream
      • Pairings & Standings
      • DGT LiveCloud (Main)
      • Chess.com Stream (Main)
      • Lichess Stream (Main)
      • Girls' Championship
      • DGT LiveCloud (Girls)
      • Lichess Stream (Girls)
      • Chess.com Stream (Girls)
      • State Finals
      • DGT Livecloud (Finals)
      • Lichess Stream (Finals)
      • Chess.com Stream (Finals)
    • History

  • Details
  • Register
  • How to Win
  • Player List
  • Girls' Championship
  • Live
    • Video Stream
    • Pairings & Standings
    • DGT LiveCloud (Main)
    • Chess.com Stream (Main)
    • Lichess Stream (Main)
    • Girls' Championship
    • DGT LiveCloud (Girls)
    • Lichess Stream (Girls)
    • Chess.com Stream (Girls)
    • State Finals
    • DGT Livecloud (Finals)
    • Lichess Stream (Finals)
    • Chess.com Stream (Finals)
  • History

The Sc Scholastic Championship

The South Carolina Scholastic Championship has been held annually since 1988 and is sanctioned by the South Carolina Chess Association as the official state qualifier to U.S. Chess Federation's national High School, Middle School, Elementary School, and Girls invitational championships.


The Scholastic Championship determines State Champion High School, Middle School, and Elementary School Teams, as well as the respective Individual Champion titles, as well as the State Girl's Champion. The Scholastic Championship is regularly the largest chess tournament held in South Carolina, welcoming scholastic players of all levels of experience.

Past Results

List of Past of Champions & State Records2025 Results & Reigning Champions2020-2025 Results2010-2019 Results2000-2009 Results1990-1999 Results1988-1989 Results

Hall of S.C. Chess Champions

South Carolina High School Scholastic Champions

South Carolina Elementary School Scholastic Champions

South Carolina Middle School Scholastic Champions

2025 Samuel Paukovitz

2024 Will Snyder

2023 Ford Duncan

2022 Jacob Stoll

2021 Eli Moore

2020 Ford Duncan

2019 Matthew Johnson

2018 Alex Byrne

2017 Michael Burrell

2016 Kevis Tsao

2015 Ben Caiello

2014 Ben Caiello

2013 Kevis Tsao

2012 Zachary Templeton

2011 Daniel Caiello / Kenzie Moore / Zachary Templeton / Jonathan Sarasua / Morgan Wang

2010 Kenzie Moore / Michael Lauria / Morgan Wang

2009 Daniel Dodds

2008 Michael Lauria

2007 Lintu Ramachandran

2006 Matthew Shuler

2005 Jonathan Fulton

2003 Sam Copeland

2002 Sam Copeland

2001 Tim Rankin

2000 Patrick Chester

1999 Chad Warren / James MacDougall / Stephen Ammons / Michael Berry / Bryce Howard

1998 Michael Lafer Jr.

1997 JP Inman

 1996 Brent Bovay / Derek Gamble 

1995 Joe Patterson / Brent Bovay / Paul Potylicki

1994 Daryl Dowty Jr. / Brent Bovay

1993 Vincent Fish / Daryl Dowty Jr.

1992 Bryce Harrison

1991 Bryce Harrison

1990 Bryce Harrison

1989 Kim Turok / Les Bright

1988 Kevin Eberle / Todd Boyle

South Carolina Middle School Scholastic Champions

South Carolina Elementary School Scholastic Champions

South Carolina Middle School Scholastic Champions

2025 Jason Marshal

2024 Aaron Wang

2023 Caton Tsao

2022 Miguel Shim

2021 Allen Hong

2020 Eli Moore

2019 Eli Moore

2018 Benjamin Webb

2017 Benjamin Webb

2016 Connor Liu

2015 Aditya Dias

2014 Aidan Fejzulai

2013 Aidan Fejzulai

2012 Kevis Tsao

2011 Kevis Tsao

2010 Ben Caiello

2009 Daniel Lee

2008 Arjun Grover

2007 Zachary Templeton / Kenzie Moore

2006 Zachary Templeton

2005 Stephen Nelson

2003 Matthew Shuler

2002 Ryan Dowling

2001 Tristan Cullen

2000 Drew Twieto

1999 Tim Rankin

1998 Justin Daniel

1997 David Williams

1996 Michael Robbins

1995 David Williams

1994 David Williams

1993 Shabeeb Tauhid

1992 Jae Min Purvis

1991 Kurt Sattelmeyer

1990 Lanny Ballard

1989 Kurt Sattelmeyer

1988 Kevin Klatte

South Carolina Elementary School Scholastic Champions

South Carolina Elementary School Scholastic Champions

South Carolina Elementary School Scholastic Champions

2025 Tanay Sanghani

2024 Tanay Sanghani

2023 Aaryav Saha

2022 Tanay Sanghani

2021 Aadi Agnihotri

2020 Caton Tsao

2019 Will Howard

2018 Allen Hong

2017 Robert Hylton

2016 Ahan Shi

2015 Brady Setser

2014 Akshat Jindal

2013 Kevin Rogers

2012 Aidan Fejzulai

2011 Chris Hoogenboom

2010 Thomas Leonardi

2009 Kevis Tsao

2008 Kevis Tsao

2007 William Meyer

2006 Paul Miller

2005 Christopher Haas

2003 Julian Simmons / Paul Aluri / Trey Harris / Matthew Corley

2002 Timothy Crawford

2001 Ben Huffer

2000 Daniel McEachern

1999 Daniel McEachern

1998 Kevin Yoon

1997 Tim Rankin / Joshua Brunson

1995 Yusef Khalil / Jonathan Lisi / Tim Rankin


South Carolina Champion High Schools

South Carolina Champion Elementary Schools

South Carolina Elementary School Scholastic Champions

2025 River Bluff High School

2024 Daniel High School

2023 Daniel High School

2022 Daniel High School

2021 Daniel High School

2020 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2019 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2018 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2017 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2016 Daniel High School

2015 Daniel High School

2014 Daniel High School

2013 Daniel High School

2012 Daniel High School

2011 Daniel High School

2010 Daniel High School

2009 Daniel High School

2008 Daniel High School

2007 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2006 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2005 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2003 Hilton Head High School

2002 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2001 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

2000 (Not Recorded)

1999 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

1998 Spartanburg High School

1997 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

1996 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

1995 Stratford High School

1994 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

1993 Governor's School for Sci. & Math

1992 Stratford High School

1991 Stratford High School

1990 Stratford High School

1989 Stratford High School

South Carolina Champion Middle Schools

South Carolina Champion Elementary Schools

South Carolina Champion Elementary Schools

2025 Dutch Fork Middle School

2024 Charleston School for the Arts

2023 Home Schools

2022 Hampton Park Christian School

2021 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2020 Hampton Park Christian School

2019 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2018 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2017 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2016 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2015 Thomas Cario Middle School

2014 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2013 St. Joseph's Catholic (Greenville)

2012 St. Joseph's Catholic (Greenville)

2011 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2010 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2009 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2008 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2007 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2006 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2005 R. C. Edwards Middle School

2004-2000 [Not Awarded]

1999 Lady's Island Middle School

1998-1993 [Not Awarded]

1992 College Park Middle School

1991 College Park Middle School

1990 College Park Middle School

1989 Oakbrook Middle School


South Carolina Champion Elementary Schools

South Carolina Champion Elementary Schools

South Carolina Champion Elementary Schools

2025 Gold Hill Elementary

2024 Pleasant Knoll Elementary

2023 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2022 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2021 Sterling Elementary School

2020 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2019 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2018 Clemson Elementary School

2017 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2016 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2015 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2014 Clemson Elementary School

2013 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2012 Clemson Elementary School

2011 Beaufort Academy

2010 Charles Pinckney Elementary School

2009 Clemson Elementary School

2008 Clemson Elementary School

2007 Clemson Elementary School

2006 Mason Preparatory School

2005 Clemson Elementary School

2004-2000 [Not Awarded]

1999 Wilder Elementary School

South Carolina Girl's Champions

South Carolina Girl's Champions

South Carolina Girl's Champions

2025 Diya Balamurugan

2024 Ashika Nalamalpu

2023 Uyen Tran

2022 Grace Bajarias

2021 Grace Bajarias

2020 Alexis Williams

2019 Grace Bajarias

2018 Lefan Xuan

2017 Lefan Xuan

2016 Neha Dias

2015 Neha Dias

2014 Neha Dias

2013 Hannah "Tori" Whatley

2012 Hannah "Tori" Whatley

2011 Hannah "Tori" Whatley

2009 Kristen Snowdeal

Previous Venues / Participation

March 22, 2025 - Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC. 212 Players

March 2-3, 2024 - University of South Carolina Russell House, Columbia, SC. 193 Players.

March 4, 2023 - Hampton Park Christian School, Greenville, SC. 240 Players.

April 2, 2022 - Hampton Park Christian School, Greenville, SC. 155 Players.

April 17, 2021 - Lichess.org (Online, Pandemic Year). 88 Players.

February 29, 2020 - University Ridge, Greenville, SC. 189 Players.

March 9, 2019 - Dent Middle School, Columbia, SC. 213 Players.

March 3, 2018 - South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, SC. 238 Players.

February 25, 2017 - Charles Pinckney Elementary, Mt. Pleasant, SC. 174 Players. 

February 27, 2016 - Charles Pinckney Elementary, Mt. Pleasant, SC. 242 Players.

February 28, 2015 - Charles Pinckney Elementary, Mt. Pleasant, SC. 213 Players.

March 22, 2014 - Heyward Career & Tech. Center, Columbia, SC. 160 Players.

March 23, 2013 - Heyward Career & Tech. Center, Columbia, SC. 147 Players.

February 25, 2012 - Heyward Career & Tech. Center, Columbia, SC. 117 Players

March 5, 2011 - Heyward Career & Tech. Center, Columbia, SC. 133 Players.

March 6, 2010 - Heyward Career & Tech. Center, Columbia, SC. 82 Players.

February 28, 2009 - Heyward Career & Tech. Center, Columbia, SC. 92 Players.

March 8, 2008 - Heyward Career & Tech. Center, Columbia, SC. 108 Players.

March 24, 2007 - Irmo High School, Irmo, SC. 88 Players.

March 4, 2006 - Hilton Head Island, SC. 98 Players

March 12, 2005 - Saluda High School, Sumter, SC. 66 Players.

March 1, 2003 - Sumter High School, Sumter, SC. 173 Players.

March 2, 2002 - Sumter High School, Sumter, SC. 131 Players.

March 3, 2001 - Sumter High School, Sumter, SC. 116 Players.

March 4, 2000 - Sumter High School, Sumter, SC. 74 Players.

March 6, 1999 - Airport High School, Columbia, SC. 88 Players.

March 7, 1998 - Airport High School, Columbia, SC. 74 Players.

March 8, 1997 - Airport High School, Columbia, SC. 59 Players.

March 2, 1996 - Airport High School, Columbia, SC. 57 Players.

March 25, 1995 - Airport High School, Columbia, SC. 73 Players.

March 5, 1994 - Airport High School, Columbia, SC. 51 Players.

March 6, 1993 - Tremont Motor Inn, Columbia, SC. 41 Players.

March 14, 1992 - Richland Fashion Mall, Columbia, SC. 50 Players.

March 9, 1991 - Trident Technical College, Charleston, SC. 50 Players.

March 10, 1990 - Trident Technical College, Charleston, SC. 92 Players.

March 4, 1989 - Trident Technical College, Charleston, SC. 73 Players.

April 30, 1988 - Tremont Motor Inn, Columbia, SC.  19 Players.

Top 10 Largest

242 Players - February 27, 2016 - Charles Pinckney Elementary, Mt. Pleasant, SC.

240 Players - March 4, 2023 - Hampton Park Christian School, Greenville, SC.

238 Players - March 3, 2018 - South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, SC.

213 Players - March 9, 2019 - Dent Middle School, Columbia, SC.

213 Players - February 28, 2015 - Charles Pinckney Elementary, Mt. Pleasant, SC.

212 Players - March 22 - Apr. 12, 2025 - Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center / Columbia Chess Club, Columbia, SC

193 Players - March 2-3, 2024 - University of South Carolina Russell House, Columbia, SC.

189 Players - February 29, 2020 - University Ridge, Greenville, SC.

174 Players - February 25, 2017 - Charles Pinckney Elementary, Mt. Pleasant, SC.

173 Players - March 1, 2003 - Sumter High School, Sumter, SC.

Players With Most Titles

1. Kevis Tsao, 6 Titles [2016 HS; 2013 HS; 2012 MS; 2011 MS; 2009 ES; 2008 ES]

2. Tim Rankin, 4 Titles [2001 HS; 1999 MS; 1997 ES(co); 1995 ES(co)]

3. Zachary Templeton, 4 Titles [2012 HS; 2011 HS(co); 2007 MS(co); 2006 MS]

4. Grace Bajarias, 3 Titles [2022 GRL; 2021 GRL; 2019 GRL]

5. Brent Bovay, 3 Titles [1996 HS(co); 1995 HS(co); 1994 HS (co)]

6. NM Ben Caiello, 3 Titles [2015 HS; 2014 HS; 2010 MS]

7. Neha Dias, 3 Titles [2016 GRL; 2015 GRL; 2014 GRL]

8. Aidan Fejzulai, 3 Titles [2014 MS; 2013 MS; 2012 ES]

9. Bryce Harrison, 3 Titles [1992 HS; 1991 HS; 1990 HS]

10. Eli Moore, 3 Titles [2021 HS; 2020 MS; 2019 MS]

11. Kenzie Moore, 3 Titles [2011 HS(co); 2010 HS(co); 2007 MS (co)]

12. Tanay Sanghani, 3 Titles [2025 ES; 2024 ES; 2022 ES]

13. Hannah "Tori" Whatley, 3 Titles [2013 GRL; 2012 GRL; 2011 GRL]

14. David Williams, 3 Titles [1997 MS; 1995 MS; 1994 MS]

15. NM Sam Copeland, 2 Titles [2003 HS; 2002 HS]

16. Daryl Dowty Jr., 2 Titles [1994 HS(co); 1993 HS(co)]

17. Ford Duncan, 2 Titles [2023 HS; 2020 HS]

18. Allen Hong, 2 Titles [2021 MS; 2018 ES]

19. Michael Lauria, 2 Titles [2010 HS(co); 2008 HS]

20. Daniel McEachern, 2 Titles [2000 ES; 1999 ES]

21. Kurt Sattelmeyer, 2 Titles [1991 MS; 1989 MS]

22. Matthew Shuler, 2 Titles [2006 HS; 2003 MS]

23. Caton Tsao, 2 Titles [2023 MS; 2020 ES]

24. Morgan Wang, 2 Titles [2011 HS(co); 2010 HS(co)]

25. Benjamin Webb, 2 Titles [2018 MS; 2017 MS]

26. Lefan Xuan, 2 Titles [2018 GRL; 2017 GRL]

Schools With Most Titles

1. Governor's School for Science & Mathematics, 14 (High School)

2. Daniel High School, 13 (High School)

3. R. C. Edwards Middle School, 13 (Middle School)

4. Charles Pinckney Elementary School, 9 (Elementary School)

5. Clemson Elementary School, 7 (Elementary School)

6. Stratford High School, 5 (High School)

7. College Park Middle School, 3 (Middle School)

8. Hampton Park Christian School, 2 (Middle School)

9. St. Joseph's Catholic (Greenville), 2 (Middle School)

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