Cincinnati Chess Masters FIDE Open takes place from December 18-20, 2026 in Blue Ash, Ohio, USA. This is a chess tournament in Blue Ash, Ohio, USA, in 2026. The event offers a serious over-the-board chess tournament format at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Blue Ash with multiple FIDE sections, a strong weekend schedule, and a large projected cash payout. In addition, the tournament features an estimated USD 18,500 prize fund based on paid entries and provides boards, pieces, clocks, and scoresheets for all players.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Blue Ash gives players a competitive year-end option in the Cincinnati area with classical time controls, section-based rating limits, and hotel convenience in one venue. The Cincinnati Chess Masters FIDE Open also creates a strong FIDE rated chess tournament environment for ambitious club players, experts, and titled competitors. As a result, this chess event in Blue Ash is an appealing classical chess tournament for players who want a structured December weekend in Ohio.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | December 18-20, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Blue Ash, Ohio, USA |
| ♟️ Format | Multi-section Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| ⏱️ Time control | Standard classical time control |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 18,500 (approx., based on 240 paid entries) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Boards, pieces, clocks, and scoresheets are provided |
🏆 Prize Fund
The advertised cash prize fund totals $18,500 based on 240 paid entries.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The event uses a classical Swiss format across its FIDE sections. In addition, the tournament is FIDE rated and is designed for players who want a serious weekend of standard-play games in a hotel tournament setting.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration |
| Hotel deadline | Reserve hotel rooms by December 1, 2026, subject to availability |
👥 Organizer
Chess Earth organizes this Cincinnati-area FIDE weekend and continues to run major rated tournaments in the region. In addition, the organizer supports structured registration, hotel coordination, and complete tournament equipment for participants.
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Address: 4554 Lake Forest Drive, Blue Ash, OH 45242, USA
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Phone: +1 513-733-8900
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Website: https://new.uschess.org/cincinnati-chess-masters-fide-open
🏨 Venue
Embassy Suites by Hilton Blue Ash, 4554 Lake Forest Drive, Blue Ash, OH 45242, USA
The tournament takes place at a full-service hotel venue in Blue Ash. Moreover, the hotel setup helps players stay close to the playing hall throughout the weekend. The venue also offers discounted tournament room rates while availability lasts.
🛎️ Accommodation
The official hotel is Embassy Suites by Hilton Blue Ash. Confirmed tournament rates include $119 per night for a two-room suite with one king bed and $129 per night for a two-room suite with two double beds. Players should reserve by December 1 before the discounted rooms sell out.
🚗 How to Get There
Blue Ash is easy to reach by car within the greater Cincinnati area. In addition, players staying at the hotel can move easily between accommodation and the playing hall without extra local travel. Visitors arriving from outside the city can continue to the venue by rental car, taxi, or rideshare.
Finish the year with a strong FIDE weekend in Blue Ash and enjoy competitive classical chess in one of Ohio’s notable late-season events.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $18,500
Organizer
Chess Earth is a Cincinnati-based chess organizer and chess academy that combines tournament activity, lessons, and community programming under one growing regional brand. The organization presents itself as Chess Earth, LLC and has built a visible role in the local chess scene through regular over-the-board events and public chess gatherings. Moreover, it serves both competitive players and casual enthusiasts through a mix of instruction, tournament support, and chess culture content. As a result, Chess Earth has become a recognizable part of the wider chess community in the Cincinnati area.
The organization runs a broad range of chess activities that include open chess tournaments, school programs, after-school instruction, and recurring community events. In addition, it organizes events such as the Cincinnati Tornado tournaments, Sunday Chess gatherings, weekly chess breakfasts, and other local competitions that support classical chess, rapid play, and casual blitz. Its School of Chess also offers online lessons, group instruction, and enrichment programs for students. Therefore, Chess Earth stands out as both a practical tournament organizer and a flexible chess training provider.
Beyond event operations, Chess Earth also focuses on making chess more social, accessible, and visible in everyday community spaces. Furthermore, its programming connects schools, families, adult players, and local venues through a model that blends instruction with regular in-person play. The organization’s local presence in Cincinnati and its active grassroots structure give it a distinct community-driven identity. Consequently, Chess Earth continues to strengthen its role in chess development, local outreach, and modern community-based chess programming.
