1.) Community Casual Play in the Skittles Room. We have a lively and good Skittles Room. Starting at 8am (before the tournament) enjoy your day playing chess. Hang out and play casual chess, it’s free, analyze tournament games with players, watch Bengals Football on TV, and eat lunch.  Chess Merch and Equipment are available for purchase. We sell light refreshments. 

2.) Tournament in the Playing Hall.  

A Quad is a group of four-players….playing a round robin.

The quads are organized by rating. We group the four highest rated players together, etc, etc.

Play 3 Games. You play one game against the other three players in your quad. All four players sit at the same table.

The winner of each quad receives an Entry into the Cincinnati Masters FIDE. $125 value.

This is the only prize….there are no cash prizes; only a FREE Entry to the Cincinnati Masters
If there is a tie in the Quad, we divide $125 and pay 1/2 to the two players.
The Cincinnati Masters is held on Dec. 18-20, 2026 at the Embassy Suites Blue Ash.

10:00am is when the First Game Starts. Play in the Sunday Chess Tournament. 3-Round Swiss. Play 3 Games in your Section. Entry Fee: $35. Time Control is G/60; +5 inc. Each player receives 60 minutes with a 5 second delay. There are prizes. 
After all the players have registered, we divide them into sections (groups) according to their rating:

Entry Fee: $35.00 for the 10am Sunday Chess Tournament  

Time Control: G/60 +5 increment.  This means each player receives 60 minutes with a 5-second increment added to the clock with every move. 

Format: USCF-Rated. 3 Round Swiss. Play 3 Games against players in your section.  We divide players into Sections.

• Sections are arranged by rating using the latest monthly published ratings. 
• 1 half-point bye is allowed if declared before round 1.
• Current US Chess membership is required.  You can renew or purchase USCF membership at the tournament site. 

Sunday Tournament Registration: Scroll down and fill out the form or pay at the tournament

• On-Site Registration by 9:30am. Walk-ins are welcome. You can pay the entry fee at the tournament. Also, you can pay for USCF membership at the tournament, too. 
• All the chess sets and clocks are provided.
• The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, 3738 Eastern Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226
• Credit Cards, Paypal, Zelle, and Cash App are accepted at the on-site registration. 

Round Times:

• 10am – 1st Round 
• 12:30pm – 2nd Round
• 3:00pm – 3rd Round

Section Prizes: (Play 3 Games)

• 8 Player Sections. 1st – $90    2nd – $50
• 6-Player Sections. 1st – $75    2nd – $30
• 4-Player Sections. 1st – $60    2nd – $30

Tournament Address:  The Carnegie Center. 3738 Eastern Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226

Organized by Chess Earth.   Questions? admin@chessearth.com