I am so glad that CCL is able to play a role in bringing two FIDE invitational tournaments to Ohio.  Although CCL is an official sponsor, most of the work and costs were absorbed by the parents of CCL member John Hughes, Sally and Martin Hughes.   Also, a  special thanks goes out to the many CCL members that helped to make this event possible.   This is a great moment for chess in Ohio.

The first event is the CCL IM Norm Tournament.  In order to earn a FIDE International Master title, a player must achieve a specified result in three tournaments with international players and strength of opponents that meet rigorous standards established by FIDE, a result that is call a “norm”. The CCL Norm Tournament will meet all these standards, so our local players will have a chance to compete on the first step to an IM title.

This event will be held from February 14 – 18, 2014 at 150 East Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, Ohio.  Two CCL coaches (IM Goran Vojinovic and IM Atanas Kizov) as well as two CCL students; NM and two time State of Ohio Champion Walker Griggs and current State of Ohio Champion NM John Hughes, will be competing in this 10 player round robin.  The field will also include some of the top chess talent from around the Midwest.  It is expected that most players will need to score 6.5 to earn a leg on an IM title.

With an average USCF rating of over 2400, the following players will be competing in this round robin invitational:

International Masters: IM Goran Vojinovic, IM Atanas Kizov, IM Mauricio Arias Santana

Norm Seekers:

FM Sean Vibbert (Indiana) – Top rated player in Indiana

FM Seth Homa (Michigan) – Top rated player in Michigan

FM Atulya Shetty (Michigan) – National High School Champion

FM Awonder Liang (Wisconsin) – Two time World Youth Champion

NM Walker Griggs (Ohio) – Two time Ohio Champion

NM Scott Ramer (Ohio) – Central Ohio Invitational Champion

NM John Hughes (Ohio) – Ohio Champion, North American U16 Champion

The 2nd event is the Ohio Scholastic Invitational Championship.  A closed tournament, limited to the top 25 scholastic players in Ohio. By invitation only. Play against only the top scholastic players in the state.

Format:                           5SS   40/90, G/30, +30 seconds per move

Rating:                            FIDE and USCF rated

Schedule:                        February 14 – 16. Round 1, 7:00 pm.  Sat. 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. Sun. 10:00 am and 5:00 pm

Location:                         150 East Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, Ohio   43085

It will be the only tournament where all the top scholastic players will be able to slug it out without limitation by grade, or by one student being favored by random pairings against lower rated players.  The Ohio Scholastic Invitational Championship will be held in conjunction with the CCL IM Norm tournament.  Be there for the first norm tournament in Ohio in 30 years. Be part of history.

In order to assure top playing conditions for this championship and the IM norm tournament, there will only be 20 spaces available.  The first 20 players to return their entries will get the chance to play.

                   Sponsored by CCL, Fahey Bank, and many volunteers.