Chess Earth
Cincinnati Chess Services
Online Chess Resources

Where To Play Chess In Cincinnati

Where To Play Chess In Cincinnati

Discover the Cincinnati Chess Scene.

Below are casual places to play; chess clubs, meet-ups, and chess hot spots.

If you are looking for chess tournaments, visit https://chessearth.com/tournament-hall/

Cincinnati Scholastic ChessCincinnati Scholastic Chess (CSC)

Since 2007 Cincinnati Scholastic Chess has been organizing chess tournaments in the greater Cincinnati area for scholastic players. (grades K through 12). 

2024-25 – CSC Series Tournament Schedule:

  • October 19, 2024 — Lakota West High School
  • November 2, 2024 — Lakota East High School
  • December 7, 2024 — Princeton High School
  • January 11, 2025 — Walnut Hills High School
  • February 1, 2025 — Princeton High School
  • March — date and venue to be confirmed

Ohio Grade Level Championships – Nov. 23, 2024

Cincinnati Scholastic Chess is proud to host the 2024 Ohio Grade Level Championships on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Blue Ash (Cincinnati), Ohio.  This is a State Championship Event. INFO for Grade Level Championships

 

59th Cincinnati Open – April 11-13, 2025

The 59th Cincinnati Open is being planned for April 11-13, 2025; organized and ran by CSC.  Cincinnati’s most popular chess tournament held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Blue Ash (Cincinnati), Ohio.  Chess Earth is returning as the tournament vendor; selling chess supplies and creating a new tournament T-shirt design. INFO for the Cincinnati Open 2025

Sunday Chess

 Sunday Chess G/60

Chess Tournament

Sunday, October 20, 2024

1st Game Starts at 12noon 

Enjoy Sunday Playing FREE Casual Chess “All Day” 12noon to 7pm. 

Or Play in the USCF Chess Tournament

Register Online – Click for Sunday Chess Tournament Registration and More Info

Cincy TornadoCincy Tornado

 Chess Tournament

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024

Live Chess Games

GM. Grandmaster Games

And  

IM. International Master Games

Puzzle Of The Day

Sundays 12noon

Monthly Sunday Chess G/60 Tournament  & Open Casual Play

  • The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, 3738 Eastern Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226

Enjoy Sunday playing FREE casual chess or play in the Sunday Chess Tournament.

Check out the Sunday Chess Webpage or Register for the Tournament 

Once a Month on Sundays:  Open Casual Play starts at 12noon to 7:00pm. 

  • 1st Round Game starts at 12noon
Carnegie Center
Sunday Chess Tournament & Open Casual Play
  • This is a monthly USCF-rated chess tournament.  Entry Fee: $30.
  • 3-Round Swiss. Play 3 games. 
  • 8 Player Sections. 1st – $90    2nd – $50
  • 6-Player Sections. 1st – $75    2nd – $30
  • 4-Player Sections. 1st – $60    2nd – $30
  • G/60 d/5.  Each player receives 60 minutes with a 5-second delay.
  • All chess sets are provided for the tournament.
Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum
Sunday Chess Tournament & Open Casual Play
  • Open casual play starts at 12noon to 7pm held in the Skittles Room.
  • All chess sets are provided for open casual FREE play.
  • The Bengal game will be on the TV. 
  • Daylily Bodega Coffee Shop is across the street. Bring Lunch. We sell light snacks.
  • Chess sets and chess merch available for purchase. 

Sundays 10am

Front Street Cafe; 1st Sunday of the Month

  • 120 Front St, New Richmond, OH 45157

Held on the First Sunday of the Month. 10am-4pm. Liberty Green organizes and hosts this event. In-door and out-door chess. Great food, a nice bar and big TV screens for sports. Great up-close view of Ohio River. 

  • First Sunday of the Month – 10:00am to 4:00pm
Front Street Cafe
Sundays 10am - Front Street Cafe
Front Street Cafe
Sundays 10am - Front Street Cafe

Sundays 1pm

 Lake Lakengren Chess Club

  • 210 Norwegian Dr, Eaton, OH 45320

1:00pm. Free meal provided to chess players. It’s worth the drive. Best Wings and Pizza. Limit one large pizza per person. NFL and Bengals on the TV. Organized by Bob Unruh.

  • Every Sunday – 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Lakengren Chess Club
Sundays 1pm. Lakengren Chess Club
Lakengren Chess Club
Sundays 1pm. Lakengren Chess Club

Mondays 6pm

Highland Coffee House

  • 2839 Highland Ave. (University and Highland Ave) Cincinnati, OH 45219

Casual Play, great music, good coffee and beer, and Tim Lake; we’ve been playing chess here for over 25 years and still going strong. 

  • Every Monday – 6:00pm til close 2am.
Highland Coffee House
Mondays 6:00pm - Highland Coffee House
Highland Coffee House
Mondays 6:00pm - Highland Coffee House

Tuesdays 7pm  

Oddfellows Bar

  • 2014 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
  • It’s a great meet-up for local chess.  Indoor and outdoors. Play chess with the neighborhood. A good crowd every Tuesday. 
  • Every Tuesday – 7:00pm to 1pm
oddfellows bar
Tuesdays 7:00pm - Oddfellows
oddfellows bar
Tuesdays 7:00pm - Oddfellows

Tuesdays 6:30pm  

Symmes Library Chess Club has moved to Blue Ash Library.

3rd Tuesday of the Month

  • Blue Ash Library. 4911 Cooper Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

6:30pm to 8:30pm.  The Symmes Library branch will be closed because the current building will be replaced. Our meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the Month.  People of any age can drop in to play casual free chess games, get some coaching from more experienced players or learn the game from scratch. 

  • Third Tuesday of the Month – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Symmes Library Chess Club
3rd Tuesday of Month. Meeting at Blue Ash Library
Cincinnati Public Library logo
3rd Tuesday of Month. Meeting at Blue Ash Library

Tuesdays 5pm  

Clermont Chess Club

Members develop new chess skills, sharpen their memory and improve social skills with a great group of guys, the chess is good too. 

  • Every Tuesday – 5:00pm to 10pm
Clermont County Chess Club
Tuesdays 5:00pm - Clermont Chess Club
Clermont County Chess Club
Tuesdays 5:00pm - Clermont Chess Club

Wednesday 4:30pm

Kenton County Library in Northern Kentucky

  • 1992 Walton Nicholson Rd, Independence, Kentucky 41051

Our weekly chess club is fun, friendly and open to all skill levels. Each meeting consists of  enlightening lessons from a certified chess instructor.

  • Every Wednesday – 4:30pm to  6:30pm
Kenton Library Kentucky
Wednesdays 4:30pm Kenton County Library, Kentucky
Kenton County Library
Wednesdays 4:30pm - Kenton County Library, KY

Wednesdays  

UC Chess Club

  • University of Cincinnati; Swift Hall Level 516. 2842 Campus Way, Cincinnati, OH 45221. 

UC Chess Club Webpage

Discord.gg/9sy4mdf

UC Chess Club
Wednesdays - UC Chess Club

Thursdays 11am

Morning Chess at the West End Library

  • 805 Ezzard Charles Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45203

Play or learn chess in a welcoming group environment while sipping free coffee. Any experience level is welcome. 

  • Every Thursday – 11am til 1:00pm
Morning Chess at West End Library
Thursdays 11am Morning Chess West End Library
Cincinnati Public Library logo
Thursdays 11am Morning Chess West End Library

Thursdays 6:30pm

Cincinnati Chess Club

The Cincinnati Chess Club is the city’s most active (30-50 people on Thursdays) and oldest Cincinnati club going back to 1950.

  • Every Thursday – 6:30pm til 11:00pm
Cincinnati Chess Club
Thursdays 6:30pm - Cincinnati Chess Club
Cincinnati Chess Club
Thursdays 6:30pm - Cincinnati Chess Club

Fridays 7:30am

Chess Breakfast. Organized by Chess Earth

Chess Breakfast Panera Bread Winton Rd
Friday 7:30am - Chess Breakfast Panera Bread

 Great for seniors, retired, and players who love morning chess. A good turnout every Friday morning and a popular chess gathering for the chess community.

Chess Breakfast Panera Bread Winton Rd
Friday 7:30am - Chess Breakfast Panera Bread

Saturdays  2pm  

Say it with Your Chess – College Hill Library

  • 1400 W North Bend Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45224

Saturdays 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Play chess with an instructor from the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund. Kids will build self-esteem, nurture sportsmanship, and foster critical thinking skills 

  • Every Saturday – 2:00pm to 3:00pm
ProScan logo
Saturdays 2:00pm - College Hill Library
Cincinnati Public Library logo
Saturdays 2:00pm - College Hill Library

Saturdays  2pm  

YMCA – Powel Crosley, Jr on Winton Rd

  • 9601 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231

Chess and Scrabble is offered on  Saturdays from 2 pm – 4 pm.  Must have a YMCA Membership. All experience levels and ages are welcome to play and have fun.

  • Every Saturday – 2:00pm to 4:00pm
chess vs scrabble
Saturdays 2:00pm - YMCA Powel Crosley Jr
Cincinnati Public Library logo
Saturdays 2:00pm - YMCA Powel Crosley Jr

Saturday 10am to 2pm

Chess Earth

 2024 Chess Days In Roselawn

2024 Schedule – 1st Saturday of the Month 

  • Saturday, April 6, 2024 
  • Saturday, May 4, 2024   
  • Saturday, June 1, 2024 
  • Saturday, July 6, 2024   
  • Saturday, August 3, 2024
  • Check out Chess Days In Roselawn Webpage for more info
  • ROCURC Garden. Corner of Section & Reading Rd. 7405 Reading Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45237.
  • Casual outdoor chess gathering.  Relaxed neighborhood chess. From 10am to 2pm.  All are welcome. 
  • ***Rain/bad weather; Event moves to Bond Hill Library, 1740 Langdon Farm Rd.***

Free Blitz Tournament – 12noon with merch prizes and gift certificates from local restaurants.

4-Rounds/Play 4 games. G/5 – Game in 5 minutes. Free Entry Fee.

Organized by ROCURC and Chess Earth

Chess Days In Roselawn
Chess Days In Roselawn Saturdays 10am - 2pm
Free Blitz Tournament - 12noon with merch prizes and gift certificates from local restaurants

Chess Breakfast at Panera Bread Winton Rd

Chess Earth has brought back the popular chess breakfast at a new Panera Bread. A good turnout every Friday morning.

We analyze games from recent tournaments, play bughouse, and enjoy chess. Organized and hosted by Chess Earth, LLC.

Chess Earth

Organized by Chess Earth

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