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EnglishWhat Is the Ohio Chess Congress and When Is It Held?
Updated
The Ohio Chess Congress is the flagship annual tournament of the Ohio Chess Association, and the 80th edition runs August 29–31, 2025 at the Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark, Ohio. If you want to play, the practical deadline to remember is August 8, 2025 — that's the cutoff to reserve a room at the discounted "Chess Rate" of $129 per night.
What the event is
The Ohio Chess Congress is an open chess tournament held once a year and organized by the Ohio Chess Association, whose stated mission is promoting chess in Ohio. It draws competitive players from across the state and beyond, and it also determines the Ohio Chess Champion — the highest-scoring Ohio resident earns that title. In 2023, NM Justin Storn won it undefeated in Akron.
2025 details at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 29–31, 2025 |
| Venue | Cherry Valley Hotel, 2299 Cherry Valley Rd SE, Newark, OH |
| Hotel rate | $129 per night ("Chess Rate") |
| Reservation deadline | August 8, 2025 |
| Prize fund | $10,200 based on 140 paid entries |
| Organizer | Ohio Chess Association |
How to reserve the hotel rate
- Call (740) 788-1200 and ask for the "Chess Rate", or book online through the tournament's hotel reservation link on ohchess.org.
- Reserve by August 8, 2025 — after that date the $129 rate is no longer guaranteed.
- Note that the prize fund is calculated on 140 paid entries, so the final payout depends on turnout.
Why the deadline matters
The August 8 cutoff is the single most important date for out-of-town players. Miss it and you may still find a room, but not at the negotiated rate. Booking early also matters because the event runs three full days (Friday through Sunday), so most players stay two nights.
Where to confirm current information
Details like entry fees, section structure, and round times aren't listed in the summary above, so check the Ohio Chess Congress page on ohchess.org before registering. The site also posts other upcoming Ohio tournaments — for example, the Cleveland Open and the Chess for Cure Regional FIDE Championships — if you're looking for more playing opportunities in the state.