Announcements
Columbia Chess Club Newsletter 12/22/2025

Columbia Chess Club Newsletter 12/22/2025

Avatar of Brandmair
Brandmair
| 0

Columbia Chess Club Newsletter

In This Issue:
  • New Hours & Time Controls for 2026
  • IM Danny Rensch to visit Tunnelvision XL
  • This Week's Club Events
  • Club Christmas Tree
  • Weekly Results Corner
  • 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 >
!! NEW HOURS & TIME CONTROLS FOR 2026 !!
Beginning in 2026, we will be altering the following times for our regular weekly events:
  1. Tuesday Quad Night time control will change to G/25+5 (remains dual rated, done no later than 9:30pm)
  2. Thursday's mini events will start at 5:30 p.m. with classical starting at 6:30 p.m., moving our Thursday up by a half hour.
  3. Thursday night's classical time control for upper section will be G/60;+15 (done no later than 9pm). Lower section will be G/45+5 (done no later than 8:10pm)
All other times will remain the same. These changes are to improve the accessibility of our events during the week for those who need to be home earlier!
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
No classes on Christmas break!
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+10. 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
6:00 p.m.: Cheers & Chess! Come join us for a drink at Hazelwood Brewing and a game chess! Open to all skills levels. We love playing blitz and rapid as well as teaching newcomers to the game.
No classes on Christmas break!
Club closed for Christmas!
Highlight: Club Christmas Tree
A special thanks to the Nimmich family and the efforts of Liz Nimmich for the club's wonderful Christmas tree, decorated with key openings and chess themes!
Weekly Results Corner
Kid's Night: 
Congratulations to Jack Bontrager for winning the A Section in the Kid's Night Tournament, and to Joshua Verdugo for winning the medal on tie breaks against Max Young in the B Section. Thank you to Coach Sean for teaching our newest players the great game of chess, and to coach James for directing the tournament. See you next week Tuesday for another kid's night at the Columbia Chess Club!

Kid's Night Rating Report
Quad Night: 
Congratulations to Paul Copeland and Arnav Singh for winning their quads! Special shoutout to Oliver Su for scoring a 424 point upset win, and to James Brandmair for stealing a draw against a player 350 points higher rated.

Quad Night Rating Report
Thursday Main Meeting: 
Out of 28 players in the Rapid Tournament, congratulations to Arnav Singh and Kanha Kummari for tying for first and second place! Out of 32 players in the month long classical tournament, congratulations to Tamaghna Roy, Arnav Singh, and Thomas Kemp Jr. for tying for 1st through 3rd in the top section. And to Tucker Norton and Michael Meilinger for tying for 1st and 2nd in the lower section.

December Rapid Rating Report
December Classical 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.
On the Horizon
Saturday, January 10, 2026:
Saturday, January 10, 2026:
Saturday, January 17, 2026:
See Club Calendar for Full List of Upcoming Events

More News

20 Places To Visit In Columbia, South Carolina

20 Places To Visit In Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia Chess Club Newsletter 12/29/25

Columbia Chess Club Newsletter 12/29/25