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Columbia Chess Club Newsletter 1/5/26

Columbia Chess Club Newsletter 1/5/26

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Columbia Chess Club Newsletter

Palmetto Scholastic Chess League and Time Trouble THIS SATURDAY!

In This Issue:
  • IM Danny Rensch to visit Tunnelvision XL
  • This Week's Club Events
  • Rio Saha Places in NYE Rapid and Blitz in Charlotte
  • James Brandmair Becomes FIDE National Arbiter
  • Weekly Results Corner
  • Student Members Crush It in Charlotte
  • Become a Member / Get an Icon / Sponsor a Table / Support Us Free
  • From the Discord
  • Some Chess Content
  • On the Horizon Schedule
View the Club Calendar >
IM Danny Rensch to visit Tunnelvision XL
IM Danny Rensch Q&A / Simul
When registering for Tunnelvision XL on January 17, 2026, you can purchase your copy of Dark Squares: How Chess Saved my Life. Dark Squares is a memoir by International Master and Chess.com co-founder Danny Rensch, chronicling his traumatic upbringing in an abusive cult, his rise as a chess prodigy whose talent was exploited by the cult leader, and how the game ultimately became his lifeline, leading to resilience, recovery from a severe medical crisis, and co-founding the world's largest online chess platform. Often described as Educated meets The Queen's Gambit, it emphasizes survival, trust, and chess as a path to redemption.
 
Auther IM Danny Rensch will be on hand at the end of the tournament for a Q&A, book signing, and simultaneous exhibition.
This Week's Club Events
5:15 p.m. Developmental Class K-8 (register)
6:15 p.m. Developmental Class HS-Adult (register)
4:45 p.m. Kid's Night
Suited for K-12 players who are new or rated under 1000, we offer a rated tournament with a medal to the winner, an unrated tournament for new players with a USCF membership to the winner, and free casual play.
Kid's Night Registration
6:30 p.m.: Quad Night! G/25+5 **New Time Control**. Quads place you in a group of four players as closely rated to you as possible, with three rounds to determine the winner. $20 Entry fee can win $40 ($45 for a perfect score). You must be registered by 6:20 p.m. to participate, so don't wait until it's too late!
Quad Night Registration
6 p.m. Advanced Class (register)
5:30 p.m. **NEW TIME** Quick I: 3 rounds of 10+1.

6:30 p.m. **NEW TIME** Classical Month Week 2: Upper Section G/60+15, Lower Section G/45+5, join any week! Scholastic students looking to make a competitive leap should consider participating in our lower section with a quicker time control, meaning games will be done by 8 p.m.!
Main Meeting Registration
Two events this Saturday, Scholastic League at 10 AM and Time Trouble Rapid at 2 PM!
Register for PSCL
Register for Time Trouble
Rio Saya Places in NYE Rapid and Blitz
Congratulations to our student member Rio Saha for competing in Charlotte’s NYE Rapid and Blitz, and placing in the U1300 section!
James Brandmair Becomes FIDE National Arbiter
Congratulations to our own James Brandmair for passing his exam and becoming a FIDE National Arbiter. The club now has two such arbiters, so expect some FIDE events in our future!
Weekly Results Corner
Kid's Night: 
Congratulations to Jack Bontrager and Devyn Kemp for winning medals at Kids Night! Thank you to Coach Brandon for giving out lessons in the lobby, and to Coaches Thomas and James for directing the event.

Kid's Night Rating Report
Quad Night: 
Congratulations to Tamaghna Roy for winning the super quad night!

Quad Night Rating Report
Thursday Main Meeting: 
Congratulations to Thomas Kemp Jr. & Aarush Panda for winning our New Years Day Blitz Tournament!

Blitz Rating Report
Become a Member / Get an Icon / Sponsor a Table / Support Us Free!
Become a Member: Help support the Club and take advantage of special pricing and exclusive perks!
Get an Icon: Get your portrait added to the Columbia Chess Club stream - be sure to upload before your next event!
Sponsor a Table: Have a brass plaque with custom engraving permanently installed on the edge of one of our tournament tables. (6 remain)
Donate to the Club: The Club remains volunteer operated and is bolstered by generous donations from the community. Consider donating and check out our Donor List recognizing those who have given to support the club's mission to grow chess in the midlands and throughout South Carolina.
Support the Club for Free: Consider one of the many ways to support the Club for free by patronizing our affiliate sponsors when you buy chess equipment, premium Chess.com accounts, and support us on social media.
From the Discord
Join our Discord to be part of our community chat.
Some Chess Content
...answer at the end of the newsletter
On the Horizon
Saturday, January 10, 2026:
Saturday, January 10, 2026:
Saturday, January 17, 2026:
See Club Calendar for Full List of Upcoming Events
The puzzle answer comes from Sean:

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