Chess tournaments in Ohio: Where to look for the best ones?
Updated: Sep 22
Last updated: August 2026
Looking for chess tournaments in Ohio? The state's scene runs deep — the Cleveland Open dates back to 1952, and today's calendar spans Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Akron with events almost every month of the year. And if you'd like to sharpen your game first, why not try a trial lesson with a master at MM Chess Academy?
Ohio Chess Tournament Calendar — 2026 to 2027
Event | Date | Location | Source |
Sept 19, 2026 | Fairhill Partners, Cleveland | Progress With Chess | |
Sept 2026 (recurring Saturdays) | Arby's, Twinsburg, OH | US Chess | |
Golden Buckeye Senior Open | September 2026 | Ohio | |
Cincinnati City Championship | September 2026 | Cincinnati | |
Oct 10, 2026 | East Cleveland Public Library | Progress With Chess | |
Nov 7, 2026 | Orange High School | Progress With Chess | |
Late November 2026 | Ohio | US Chess | |
Nov 27, 2026 | Solon Community Center | Progress With Chess | |
King's Island Open | November 2026 | Ohio | |
Dec 5–6, 2026 | National event | US Chess | |
Last Saturday, monthly (ongoing) | Cincinnati | US Chess | |
Cardinal Open | Jan/Feb 2027 | Ohio | |
January (recurring) | Columbus | US Chess | |
Ohio Elementary Championship | March 2027 | Ohio | |
MOTCF (Middle/Team Championship) | March 2027 | Ohio | |
Ohio Girls Championship | April 2027 | Ohio | |
Cincinnati Open | April 2027 | Cincinnati | |
Ohio HSMS (High School/Middle School) | May 2027 | Ohio |
📍 Full live calendar: ohchess.org/tournaments
Looking for tournaments in another state? Check our full tournament finder.
The state's official US Chess affiliate. Playing the Ohio Congress or the Cardinal Open includes one free year of OCA membership. OCA also publishes results and game analysis from notable Ohio players, including tributes to the late John Stopa, a longtime Ohio chess figure.
📍 Official source: ohchess.org | Facebook
The Cleveland Open — Ohio's Oldest Tournament
First held in 1952, the Cleveland Open has a genuine claim to Ohio chess history — past champions include GM Pal Benko (1958) and IM Calvin Blocker, a five-time winner in the 1970s who remains one of Ohio's most respected players and coaches at the Akron Chess Club today. The tournament paused from 2004–2008 before being revived and continues annually each June.
Progress With Chess — Cleveland
Ohio's largest chess nonprofit, founded over 20 years ago by National Master Michael Joelson. Runs customizable K-8 chess programs in 60+ schools across Northeast Ohio, plus USCF-rated tournaments with cash prizes.
Mike's Birthday Scholastic — September 19, 2026, Fairhill Partners, 2nd Floor Auditorium
6th East Side Open — October 10, 2026, East Cleveland Public Library
2026-27 GCSCL #1 (Greater Cleveland Scholastic Chess League opener) — November 7, 2026, Orange High School
Solon Yam Slam — November 27, 2026, Solon Community Center
📍 Quick Facts
Address: 12200 Fairhill Road, D228, Cleveland, OH 44120
Phone: 216-321-7000
Official source: progresswithchess.org/tournaments
Chess Clubs Across Northeast Ohio
Real, currently-running free and casual chess meetups (via the community resource Chess in Cleveland):
CLE Sight Center — free casual play for the blind & visually impaired, 1st & 3rd Tuesday monthly, 2:00 PM
East Cleveland Public Library — free casual play, 4:30 PM
The BottleHouse Brewery — 2050 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, 6:30 PM
Parma Chess Club — meets at German Central, 7:00 PM
Garfield Heights Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library — Chess Club, grades K-8, 4:00 PM
Brecksville Panera — free casual play, 5:00 PM
Case Western Reserve University Chess Club — Tinkham Veale University Center food court, 11038 Bellflower Rd, 7:00 PM
Warrior Inc Chess House — Youngstown, free casual play
Greater Cleveland Chess — Friday night quads in Brecksville, OH
Akron Chess Club — home of IM Calvin Blocker, one of Ohio's strongest and most respected players
📍 Official source: chessincle.com
Conclusion — Ready to Take Your Game to the Next Level?
From a tournament with 70+ years of history to a genuinely active weekly club scene across Cleveland, Ohio's chess community rewards showing up regularly. At MM Chess Academy, every coach is a certified, master-titled player — National Masters, International Masters, Woman International Masters, and Olympiad team members among them — ranking in the top 0.1% worldwide. Founded by National Master Misha Vilenchuk, we've taught over 700 students, many of whom have gone on to win national competitions and earn their own Master titles.
FAQ
When is the Ohio Chess Congress?
Every September, over Labor Day Weekend, organized by the Ohio Chess Association.
What is the oldest chess tournament in Ohio?
The Cleveland Open, first held in 1952 — past champions include Grandmaster Pal Benko and five-time winner IM Calvin Blocker.
Is there a free chess club for the blind or visually impaired in Ohio?
Yes — the CLE Sight Center hosts free casual chess play on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.
Who runs the largest chess nonprofit in Ohio?
Progress With Chess, a Cleveland-based nonprofit founded by National Master Michael Joelson, active in 60+ Northeast Ohio schools.
Is there a college chess club in Cleveland?
Yes — the Case Western Reserve University Chess Club meets weekly at the Tinkham Veale University Center.
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