September 20-21, 2025
Salt Fork State Park, Cambridge, Ohio
A relaxed schedule, intimate atmosphere, rustic secluded venue and natural surroundings all combine to make a unique and memorable weekend! Must be 16 or older by 12/31/25 to enter. Held concurrently with the Golden Buckeye Senior Open, players 50 & older may enter either.
Site: Salt Fork State Park Lodge, www.saltforkstateparklodge.com, 14755 Cadiz Rd, Lore City, OH 43755 (near Cambridge). $149/night group room rate, special rates on cabins, some pet friendly. Call 800-ATA-PARK for reservations, ask for Golden Buckeye Chess Tournament room block. Reserve early to ensure room on site, other hotels are 30 minutes away.
2 Sections Open, U1800. At organizer’s discretion, U1800 may be combined with U1800 section of Golden Buckeye for pairings and/or prizes if 5 or fewer entries in either.
Format: 5 round Swiss, G/75, d10. One ½-point bye rounds 1-4, commit by end of round 2. Sets provided, please bring clocks! Optional Friday evening blitz, details below. Bonfire social Saturday evening, weather permitting.
Prizes: Trophies to top players in each section, drawings for Ohio State Park gift certificates good towards lodging, gift shop or restaurant purchases at this event or elsewhere.
Entry Fee: $50 paid by 9/15, then $60. Enter online (check or credit card) or on site (no checks). Refund less $5 admin fee if withdraw by noon 9/19, then 50% until end of registration.
Schedule: Registration Sat 9-9:45am, rounds 10-2:15-6:30; Sunday 9:30-1:30. Bonfire social Saturday evening, weather permitting. Side blitz tournament Friday evening, G5 d/2, register on site by 7:45pm, round 1 8pm. Entry fee $15, 60-70% paid out as prizes; pairings & rounds at TD discretion.
Side Event: Bring an interesting set or chess related item to display on Saturday. 4 Categories: Staunton, Figurine/Theme, Miniature/Travel, and Other. Held in conjunction with the Golden Buckeye, free entry on site, category self-selected, multiple entries allowed per player. Top prize in each category as voted by players in both events is a state park gift certificate. Previous winning items not eligible for prizes but may display. “Other” may include historical style sets, boards, clocks, artwork, posters, pins, apparel, tournament bulletins, magazines, books… anything chess aficionados would find of interest! Background info on items welcome but not required.
Flyer at www.neilley.com/chess. More Info: Grant Neilley, grant@neilley.com (preferred) or 614-314-1102.
Note: The playing hall tends to be cool, we suggest an extra sweater or jacket, and dress in layers.