Tega Cay, SC – In a remarkable display of rapid development, Samuel Paukovitz of Tega Cay has won the 2025 South Carolina High School State Chess Championship Title. This achievement is particularly notable considering his relatively recent entry into the world of competitive chess.
Paukovitz began playing chess independently just three years ago and is largely self-taught. His journey started in August 2022, when he entered his first competition with a rating of 703. By December of the same year, his rating had climbed to 1024 after participating in his first large tournament. Demonstrating a natural aptitude for the game, he secured his first tournament victory at the end of December 2022.
By the middle of 2023, Paukovitz was making significant strides in his chess development. His progress continued steadily, and in July 2024, he surpassed a rating of 1700. With his recent victory at the South Carolina High School Championship, his rating is projected to reach an impressive 1860.
His path to becoming a state champion included winning the SC National Qualifier on April 5th. At this crucial event, Paukovitz won all three of his matches, including a decisive victory against last year’s state high school champion. This performance secured his position as the top high school chess player in South Carolina for 2025. Samuel said, “winning the state championship means that I am getting better at playing higher rated players and also having an opportunity to play at a prestigious tournament with even higher rated players.”
The championship match can be watched on YouTube.
This victory has earned Paukovitz a $5,000 scholarship to support his participation in upcoming national-level chess events. He is now preparing to represent South Carolina at the GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions in Middleton, Wisconsin. Following this, he will travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to compete in the prestigious 125th Annual U.S. Open Chess Championship, both events taking place within the same week.
Prior to his state championship win, Paukovitz placed 5th out of 67 participants in the SC Scholastic Chess Championship (high school division) on March 22nd in Columbia. This strong showing qualified him for the SC National Qualifier Scholastic Invitational.
Samuel Paukovitz was previously a member of the Fort Mill Chess Klub on Gold Hill Road and is currently affiliated with the Charlotte Chess Center in Pineville, NC, further highlighting his dedication to improving his game. His rapid ascent in the chess world, from a beginner just three years ago to a state champion, is an inspiring story of self-learning and dedication. But Samuel is not done yet. “In the future I hope that I can use chess to help with scholarships and to also join a chess team while in college.”
More information about Samuel Paukovitz and his chess record can be found on the US Chess Federation website at https://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlMain.php?30638594. The chess community will be watching with anticipation as he takes his talent to the national stage.
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