CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic
The CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic is a flagship weekend chess festival in Orlando, Florida, bringing together adult and scholastic players for a five-round Swiss across six rating-based sections. Hosted at the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista, the event offers both a traditional 3-day schedule and a condensed 2-day schedule running in parallel, plus a Saturday Night Open Blitz.
The tournament is US Chess rated (Enhanced Grand Prix) with the top two sections FIDE-rated, a published $9,000 prize fund (based on 160 entries; 60% guaranteed), clear policies on fair play and electronics, and convenient on-site amenities and parking near the Disney resort area.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | January 16–18, 2026 (3-Day) • January 17–18, 2026 (2-Day & Scholastic) |
| 📍 Location | Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista, 13351 State Road 535, Orlando, FL 32821, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 5-Round Swiss across six sections; Saturday Night Open Blitz side event |
| 💵 Entry Fee | Online Early $110 (by Jan 2) • Online Late $130 (until Fri Jan 16, 6:00 PM EST) • On-site $140 • Scholastic EF = ½ of above |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess rated; top two sections FIDE-rated; Enhanced GP points |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open; section placement by USCF rating (see Sections) |
🏆 Prize Fund
(Advertised total $9,000 b/160; 60% guaranteed)
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Class / Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master/Expert (FIDE) • 2000+ | $1220 | $695 | $525 | $315 | U2200 $340 |
| Class A (FIDE) • 1800–1999 | $680 | $340 | $170 | $85 | U1900 $130 |
| Class B • 1600–1799 | $680 | $320 | $170 | $85 | U1700 $130 |
| Class C • 1400–1599 | $680 | $300 | $170 | $85 | U1500 $130 |
| Class D • U1400 | $550 | $275 | $130 | $65 | U1300 $105 • U1200 $64 • U1100 $45 |
| Scholastic • U1200 | $215 | $105 | $65 | $25 | U1000 $64 • U800 $43 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Main Open: G/90; d30
2-Day schedule: Rounds 1–2 at G/60; d5, then G/90; d30
Scholastic: All rounds G/60; d5
Pairing system: 5-round Swiss in all sections
Titled players (GM/WGM/IM/WIM): free entry (entry fee deducted from any prize)
Fair play: strict electronic-device policy in the playing hall
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section + Icon | Eligibility | Time Control | Rounds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Master/Expert (FIDE) | USCF 2000+ | G/90; d30 | 5 | FIDE-rated |
| 🅰️ Class A (FIDE) | USCF 1800–1999 | G/90; d30 | 5 | FIDE-rated |
| 🅱️ Class B | USCF 1600–1799 | G/90; d30 | 5 | — |
| 🅲 Class C | USCF 1400–1599 | G/90; d30 | 5 | — |
| 🅳 Class D | USCF <1400 | G/90; d30 | 5 | — |
| 🎓 Scholastic | K-12, USCF U1200 | G/60; d5 | 5 | EF = half of Open EF |
📅 Schedule
3-Day Open (G/90; d30)
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 16 | 5:00–6:00 PM | On-site Registration (3-Day) |
| Fri, Jan 16 | 7:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 11:00 AM | Round 2 |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 2:30 PM | Round 5 |
2-Day Open
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 17 | 9:00–10:00 AM | On-site Registration (2-Day & Scholastic) |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 11:00 AM | Round 1 (G/60; d5) |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 2:00 PM | Round 2 (G/60; d5) |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 (G/90; d30) |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 (G/90; d30) |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 2:30 PM | Round 5 (G/90; d30) |
Scholastic (all rounds G/60; d5)
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 17 | 9:00–10:00 AM | On-site Registration |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 11:00 AM | Round 1 |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 2:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Sat, Jan 17 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sun, Jan 18 | 1:00 PM | Round 5 |
Saturday Night Open Blitz
| Date | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 17 | ~9:00–9:20 PM (after R3) | 4SS, G/3; d2; $500 guaranteed; EF $20; USCF membership required |
📝 Registration
Online: Early $110 by Jan 2 • Late $130 until Fri Jan 16, 6:00 PM EST • Scholastic EF = half of Open EF
On-site: $140 • Fri 5:00–6:00 PM (3-Day) • Sat 9:00–10:00 AM (2-Day & Scholastic)
Mail-in: CFCC, Attn: 2026 Winter Open, 7565 Laureate Blvd., Unit 3406, Orlando, FL 32827 (postmark by Jan 2)
Policies: Re-entry available for 3-Day players (Sat morning). Device rules enforced in playing hall
👥 Organizer
The Central Florida Chess Club (CFCC) is a long-standing US Chess affiliate organizing open and scholastic events across the Orlando area, including seasonal “Open & Scholastic” festivals at the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista.
Email: info@centralflchess.org
Phone (Organizer): (407) 312-6237
Phone (Chief TD): (321) 297-7087
Website: https://www.centralflchess.org/cfcc-2026-winter-open-and-scholastic-weekend-tournament
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CFlchessclub/
🏨 Venue
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista, 13351 State Road 535, Orlando, FL 32821. Spacious ballrooms, on-site amenities, and convenient parking near Disney Springs.
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Holiday+Inn+Resort+Orlando+Lake+Buena+Vista
🛎️ Accommodation
CFCC Group Rate: $127 + 50% off $30/night resort fee; includes Wi-Fi and free parking. Booking via CFCC link (see organizer page for deadline).
🚗 How to Get There
By Air: Orlando International Airport (MCO) ~25–30 minutes by car to the venue
By Train/Bus: Amtrak/SunRail (Orlando) with short rideshare/taxi to Lake Buena Vista
By Car: Just off SR-535; on-site parking available
Join Central Florida’s winter classic in Orlando — competitive sections, smooth organization, and a friendly chess atmosphere await!