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The CCL Chess School

Chess, Community and Learning

 

Chess lessons and more, for players of all strengths and ages.

IM Goran Vojinovic Memorial Columbus Open

IM Goran Vojinovic Memorial Columbus Open

Cherry Valley Hotel

2299 Cherry Valley Rd SE, Newark, OH

Photo of getaway

 

Friday, June 26 – Sunday, June 28, 2026

Hotel Reservation: $139 per night (Single/Double)

Book here before June 5 to secure special rate

5 Round Swiss

Registration form is located at the end of this page

Time Controls

3-Day Option: G/90+30.

2 Day Option: Rounds 1&2: G/75+5, Rounds 3-5: G/90+30

Round Times

3-Day Schedule: Registration ends at 6 pm Friday

Rounds: Friday 7 pm, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10:00-4:00

2-Day Schedule: Registration ends at 9 am Saturday.

Rounds: Saturday 10-1:30-5, Sunday 10:00-4:00

FIDE Rated Sections

Major (1900 and Up USCF or FIDE, 1800 – 1899 may play up with extra $40 EF)

U2200 (1800 – 2199 USCF or FIDE, 1700 – 1799 may play up with extra $40 EF)

USCF Rated Only Sections

Seniors (Born in or before 1971, under 1800 USCF)

U1900, U1600, U1300, U1000

(unrated players can only join in Seniors, U1300, or U1000)

Prizes

($11,000 b/150 paid entries, 80% prizes guaranteed)

Major: $2000 – $1000 – $500

U2200: $1200 – $600 -$300

U1900: $1000 – $500

U1600: $800 – $400

U1300: $600 – $300

U1000: $400 – $200

Seniors: $600 – $300

Double Bonus Prizes: $200 – $100. Male-Female, Female-Female, or Family 2-player “Team”, combined scores of all sections, onsite registration OK, no extra fee. 

Entry Fee

$139 by June 14, $150 thereafter until Thursday, June 25, $160 onsite until 1 hour before round 1.
Re-entry fee: $50
Play-up fee (Major, U2200): $40
T-shirt fee: $5

GM plays for free with zero deduction if confirmed by June 1, then $50 deduction from prize; IM plays for free with $50 deduction if confirmed by June 1, then $100 deduction from prize.

Cumulative discounts:

  • $50 discounts for rating 2400+ USCF rating
  • $50 discounts for CCL summer 5-Day campers;
  • $40 discounts for CCL students starting before 2016
  • $30 discounts for seniors playing in all sections (born in or before 1971)
  • $20 discounts for staying at the Cherry Valley Hotel under the group rate
  • $10 discounts for current CCL students

Withdrawal and Refund: 100% refund if withdrawal before May 31, 80% refund before June 14, 50% before June 21, no refund thereafter.

Byes: up to 2 half point byes but not last round, must request 1 hour before round 2, zero point bye OK in any round

Ratings: June official USCF ratings used; unofficial ratings used if otherwise unrated. Players must reveal foreign, FIDE and other over the board ratings, and these ratings, adjusted if necessary, may be used if higher than USCF

Sets and clocks provided

Playing Venue and Hotel Reservation: $139 per night (Single/Double); Call Cherry Valley Hotel (740) 788-1200, ask for the “Chess Rate” Or Book online here, MUST reserve by June 5 to guarantee the Chess Rate

Contact

Chief TD/ FIDE Arbiter Kathy Lin (email)
Event Organizer: Jeff Shen (email)

Goran Memorial Open Registration

Name(Required)
Male-Female, Female-Female, Family Members, average rating <2200, limit to one team only, no extra cost
Schedule Options(Required)
Choose to participate in 3-day (Fri/Sat/Sun) or 2-day (Sat/Sun) schedule, after the first round, a 3-day participant may re-enter 2-day schedule with extra fee $50, MUST confirm before 9 am on Saturday
Sections
Major (1900 and Up USCF or FIDE, 1800 - 1899 may play up with extra $40 EF) U2200 (1800 - 2199 USCF or FIDE, 1700 - 1799 may play up with extra $40 EF) Seniors have options to join in the Senior or other sections
Half Point Bye Round Selection
Each Requested Bye earns a half point, Up to 2 byes, no last round bye
Zero Point Bye Round Selection
No limit, last round OK
GM / IM?(Required)
Seniors? (Born in or before 1971)(Required)
CCL Active Student?(Required)
CCL Former Student Before 2016?(Required)
CCL June 5-Day Camper?(Required)
Only those participating in all 5 days of CCL summer camp can click "YES". Others should click "NO".
Staying in Cherry Valley Hotel with the Group Rate?(Required)
To secure the group chess rate you must book a room before June 5, and input your confirmation number here for verification
Play Up?(Required)
"YES" ONLY for those 1800 - 1899 playing up in Major section, or 1700 - 1799 playing up in U2200, with extra fee $40.
Leave a note here with player's PayPal account or mailing address to receive check for prizes

Search through all of our blogs!

Introduction to Our Community Chess Instructional Program

Welcome to CCL, a community-driven chess instructional initiative designed to bring timeless chess to learners of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps on the board or an experienced player seeking to sharpen your strategies, our program offers something for everyone.

Chess is more than just a game—it fosters critical thinking, patience, and problem-solving skills. Our program is built around the belief that chess can unite people, challenge minds, and create opportunities for personal growth and community connection. To supplement the chess side of individual enrichment, we recently opened a prodigious activities wing to CCL, managed by renowned mathematician and prodigy Dr. Harvey Friedman.

Why Join Us?

Our program is driven by a passionate community of chess lovers dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive, and educational environment. For details on how the community fosters the program, please go to the menu option The Community. By participating, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Learn at your own pace with flexible instruction formats.
  • Join a vibrant chess community and make new friends who share your interests.
  • Enhance your cognitive skills, such as strategic thinking and decision-making.
  • Compete in local tournaments and represent our community.
  • Work with renowned mathematician and prodigy Dr. Harvey Friedman in other prodigious activities.

Let’s make chess an engaging and enriching part of our community. Join us today and start your chess journey! Together, we can grow our community and inspire a love for this incredible game.

The Coaches

  • alancasden2
    National Master Alan Casden
  • International Master Atanas Kizov -- CCL Head Coach --
  • Walker
    Life Master Walker Griggs
  • GM VLATKO BOGDANOVSKI
    Grand Master Vlatko Bogdanovski
  • Zoran
    International Master Zoran Arsovic
  • NM Vladimir Kizov
    National Master Vladimir Kizov
    Head of Pre-CCL
  • Jacob Eismann
    Jacob Eismann

The Rest of the Team

  • Jeff
    Jeff Shen
    Business Manager
  • Adai
    Adai Adaikappan
    Community Laison
  • Courtenay
    Courtenay James
    Organizer
  • Shiv
    Shivkumar Kurulekar
    IT System Admin
  • Jagdish Patel
    Jagdish Patel
    Newsletter Editor
  • Harvey
    Dr. Harvey Friedman - Head of Prodigious Activites

Recent Posts

  • Mehmet Yilani Becomes US Chess Expert, Setting New CCL Record January 27, 2026
  • Maxwell Chung is US Chess Expert Level Player!! November 20, 2025
  • CCL November Chess Events Announcement October 24, 2025
  • Mehmet Wins Blitz Gold October 8, 2025
  • Vikrant’s Art September 15, 2025
  • Student Spotlight August 25, 2025
  • CCL Students on the US Chess July Top 100 List by Age and Gender August 5, 2025
  • Arjun Sai’s Hot Streak on the Board! July 30, 2025
  • Student Spotlight: Dae San Kim July 13, 2025
  • CCL Chess Stars Score Big at the Cleveland Open! June 16, 2025
  • CCL Chess Students Shine on the Podium at SuperNationals VIII in Orlando, FL May 12, 2025
  • NEWSLETTER OF THE MOTCF April 15, 2025
  • CCL March Chess Camps February 25, 2025
  • CCL Graduates February 2, 2025
  • Making our 2025 MOTCF Teams January 23, 2025
  • Welcome Jacob ! January 21, 2025
  • Jeff Shen is taking over the lead role at CCL December 26, 2024
  • Simul Stuff December 23, 2024
  • CCL Alumni/Student Chess GetTogether December 13, 2024
  • 2024 State Grade Levels November 27, 2024
  • Life Master Walker Griggs is giving lessons! October 29, 2024
  • Chess Math is here! October 27, 2024
  • An Evening with Atanas October 23, 2024
  • March CCL Chess Camps October 17, 2024
  • Maxwell again! Good Gosh September 16, 2024
  • Louis Zhang becomes the 36th CCL Graduate July 30, 2024
  • Major Changes in CCL June 6, 2024
  • Catch Up Time May 17, 2024
  • Cole Braun wins Ohio Middle School Championship February 27, 2024
  • CCL Chess Camp 4/20-21/2024 February 17, 2024

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