Columbus to Host US Chess SuperNationaIs IX in 2029

Columbus and the Greater Columbus Convention Center will host the 2029 SuperNationals IX, the United States Chess Federation has announced.

The national governing body for chess in the U.S. made the announcement this week. SuperNationals IX is a National Scholastic Event held every four years which combines three spring national tournaments normally held in separate cities each year: the National Elementary, the National Middle School and the National High School championships.

“We look forward to welcoming more than 7,000 players from all 50 states to Columbus in 2029, which will lead to more than $8 million in direct visitor spending in our community,” said Linda Logan, chief executive officer and president of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission.

Columbus is also hosting the 2024 National Elementary Championships at the Greater Columbus Convention Center from April 26–28 with over 2,000 players expected to participate, doubling the number that played when the event was last held in 2022.

The first SuperNationals were held in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1997. It has grown to become the largest chess tournament in the world held under one roof with over 7,000 players expected in Orlando 2025 and Columbus 2029. US Chess includes more than 110,000 members and 1,300 affiliated clubs and organizations.

“US Chess is tremendously excited about our SuperNationals IX event being held in Columbus, Ohio in 2029,” US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett said. “A number of our Spring Scholastic National Championships have taken place in Columbus over the years and the Discovery City has proved most popular with our young competitors, their families, and the entire US Chess community. Holding our premier championship — one that attracts many thousands of players every four years — within the welcoming Greater Columbus Convention Center is a natural next step for us.”