The chess events at the 22nd Southeast Asian Games were held from 5 to 13 December 2003 at the Vân Đồn sports centre in District 4 of Ho Chi Minh City. This was the first time chess was contested for medals at the Southeast Asian Games. Medals were awarded in eight categories: men's and women's individual and team performances in the combined event held at time controls, men's and women's individual competitions at time controls, and men's and women's team competitions at rapid time controls.