​The Cercle Royal des Échecs de Charleroi (CREC), founded in 1928, is a distinguished chess club based in Charleroi, Belgium. Affiliated with the Belgian Chess Federation since its inception, the club was honored with the title of “Société Royale” in 1963. CREC has a rich history of competitive success, notably winning the Belgian National Interclub Championship in 2012. The club is also renowned for organizing the annual Tournoi International du Pays de Charleroi (TIPC), a prestigious international chess tournament that attracts players worldwide. With a commitment to promoting chess at all levels, CREC offers a welcoming environment for enthusiasts to engage in both casual and competitive play.​