81st Ohio Chess Congress & State Championship (FIDE) will take place from August 28 to 30, 2026, in Blue Ash, Ohio, USA. The congress includes the FIDE-rated Open and Under 2200 sections, plus several US Chess-rated class sections. The 2026 Ohio Chess Congress – U2200 FIDE listing refers to the Under 2200 section of this larger congress.

The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss system with both 3-day and 2-day schedule options. The 3-day schedule uses G/90 with 30-second delay in all rounds, while the 2-day schedule uses G/60 with 10-second delay for Rounds 1–2 before merging with the main schedule.

The published prize fund is $18,500 based on 240 paid entries. In addition, the event offers a Saturday night blitz tournament, provided equipment, hotel playing conditions, and a full Ohio State Championship weekend in the Cincinnati area.

🗓️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The congress uses a 5-round Swiss system. Players may choose either the 3-day schedule or the 2-day schedule.

The Open and Under 2200 sections are FIDE-rated. However, for players choosing the 2-day schedule, Rounds 1–2 use a faster time control and are not submitted for FIDE rating.

Players in FIDE-rated sections must have a FIDE Identification Number and a current US Chess Federation membership. A FIDE rating is not required, but the player must have a FIN before entering a FIDE section.

The default time for FIDE sections is 60 minutes. Notation is required in all sections, and only US Chess-approved electronic scoresheets may be used.

🏆 Prize Fund

The published prize fund is $18,500 based on 240 paid entries.

Open Section

The Open section determines the 2026 Ohio State Champion, who will receive a trophy.

Under 2200 Section

Under 1900 Section

Under 1600 Section

Under 1300 Section

Under 1000 Section

Doubles Prize

The doubles prize is for the best two-player team. Teams may be male/female or female/female, must average under 2200, and may include players from different sections.

📂 Sections / Groups

The congress has six main sections.

The Under 2200 section is one of the two FIDE-rated sections and is intended for players rated under 2200 who also meet the minimum rating requirement for the FIDE section.

The organizer uses the August 1, 2026 US Chess official regular rating. In addition, unofficial US Chess ratings may be used if a player is otherwise unrated. Players must also reveal foreign, FIDE, or other over-the-board ratings, which may be adjusted and used if higher than the US Chess rating.

Players may pay a $20 play-up fee to play up one section. However, play-up is not available for the Under 2200 and Under 1900 sections.

📅 Schedule

3-Day Schedule

2-Day Schedule

The 3-day schedule starts on Friday evening. Meanwhile, the 2-day schedule starts on Saturday morning and merges with the 3-day schedule for Round 3.

Bye requests must be submitted by 12:30 PM on Saturday, August 29.

📝 Registration

Players should register online through King Registration.

Re-entry is available only for the 3-day schedule. It is not available in the Open section or the Under 2200 section, and it is not available to players in the 2-day schedule.

Players who want to re-enter must do so by 9:15 AM on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

👥 Organizer

Chess Earth organizes the 81st Ohio Chess Congress & State Championship (FIDE) in Blue Ash, Ohio. The event gives players a major late-summer chess congress in the Cincinnati area, with FIDE-rated upper sections and US Chess-rated class sections.

The congress also includes provided tournament equipment, a hotel venue, a Saturday night blitz tournament, and a prize structure across multiple rating levels. As a result, it is suitable for strong players, class players, juniors, and regional competitors.

Alan Hodge leads the tournament director team as FIDE Arbiter and Chief Tournament Director.

📍 Venue

Embassy Suites by Hilton Blue Ash – 4554 Lake Forest Drive, Blue Ash, OH 45242, USA.

The tournament takes place at Embassy Suites by Hilton Blue Ash, in the Cincinnati area.

Players should use the full venue address when planning their route to the playing hall.

🏨 Accommodation

The tournament hotel offers a chess discount rate for players who reserve by August 15, 2026.

Players can call +1 513-733-8900 to reserve a room.

Staying at the tournament hotel gives players direct access to the playing site and makes the 3-day or 2-day schedule easier to manage.

🚆 How to Get There

Blue Ash is located in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.

Players arriving by air can travel through Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport and continue to the hotel by taxi, rideshare, rental car, or private transfer.

Players arriving by car should use the full venue address:

Embassy Suites by Hilton Blue Ash – 4554 Lake Forest Drive, Blue Ash, OH 45242, USA.

ℹ️ Other Information

A Saturday night blitz tournament will take place on August 29, 2026, at 9:00 PM. Players should register for the blitz by 8:45 PM.

The organizer provides chess sets, boards, clocks, pieces, scoresheets, and pens. Therefore, players do not need to bring their own tournament equipment.

Join the 81st Ohio Chess Congress & State Championship (FIDE) in Blue Ash and play a full weekend of rated chess in one of Ohio’s major annual chess events.