CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic Weekend Tournament

Registrations have closed.

CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic Weekend Tournament

The CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic Weekend Tournament will take place from Friday, January 16 – Sunday, January 18, 2026 in Orlando, Florida, organized by the Central Florida Chess Club (CFCC). This major Florida chess event offers both Open and Scholastic sections, with flexible 2-day and 3-day schedules, making it accessible to adult, youth, and scholastic players alike.

Participants can look forward to a professionally run tournament with generous playing time, side events such as a Saturday Night Blitz, and a friendly chess atmosphere in one of Florida’s most popular destinations.

🗓️ Event Details

Item	Details
🗓️ Dates	January 16 – 18, 2026 (Friday – Sunday)
📍 Location	Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, FL, USA
♟️ Format	5-Round Swiss System
⏱️ Time Control	3-Day: G/90; d30 • 2-Day: First 2 rounds G/60; d5 then G/90; d30 • Scholastic: G/60; d5
⭐ Rating	USCF rated (FIDE rating for upper sections not specified)
🎯 Sections	Open (3-Day), Open (2-Day), Scholastic
💵 Entry Fee	$110 by Jan 2 • $130 by Jan 16 • $140 onsite
🏛️ Organizer	Central Florida Chess Club
🔗 Registration	https://www.chessregister.com/register?event_key=dqYBV8Is-P74OIGoKgDUQc1V04Ucuw73-2nkGVypuPY%3D

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Open (3-Day): Game in 90 minutes with 30-second delay.
Open (2-Day): Game 60; d5 for first two rounds, then Game 90; d30.
Scholastic: Game 60; d5 for all rounds.
Swiss-system pairings; up to two half-point byes if requested before Round 2.
US Chess Federation (USCF) rules apply.

📂 Sections / Groups

Section	Description
Open (3-Day)	Standard 5-Round schedule for experienced and higher-rated players
Open (2-Day)	Condensed schedule for adults preferring two days of play
Scholastic	Separate youth event for students, USCF rated

📅 Schedule

Date	Time	Activity
Fri, Jan 16 2026	5:00–6:00 PM	On-site registration (3-Day Open)
	7:00 PM	Round 1 (3-Day)
Sat, Jan 17 2026	9:00–10:00 AM	On-site registration (2-Day & Scholastic)
	11:00 AM	Round 2 (3-Day) / Round 1 (2-Day & Scholastic)
	2:00 PM	Round 2 (2-Day)
	5:00 PM	Round 3 (All Sections)
	9:00 PM	Saturday Night Blitz (4 Double Rounds G/3; d2 – $20 entry)
Sun, Jan 18 2026	10:00 AM	Round 4 (All Sections)
	2:30 PM	Round 5 (All Sections)
	After Final Round	Awards Ceremony

📝 Registration

Online Registration: https://www.chessregister.com/register?event_key=dqYBV8Is-P74OIGoKgDUQc1V04Ucuw73-2nkGVypuPY%3D
Entry Fees:
- $110 – by January 2 2026
- $130 – until January 16 2026
- $140 – onsite registration
Payment: via ChessRegister online checkout (credit card, PayPal, etc.)
USCF Membership: required for all players in rated sections.
Mail-in Option: Central Florida Chess Club, 7565 Laureate Blvd, Unit 3406, Orlando, FL 32827 (postmarked by Jan 2).

👥 Organizer

Central Florida Chess Club (CFCC)
CFCC is one of Florida’s most active chess organizations, hosting seasonal open and scholastic tournaments with high-quality standards, experienced arbiters, and a strong player community.

📧 Email: info@centralflchess.org
☎️ Phone: +1 (321) 297-7087
🌐 Website: https://www.centralflchess.org

🏨 Venue

Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista
13351 State Road 535, Orlando, FL 32821, USA

A comfortable, family-friendly venue located near Walt Disney World Resort and other Orlando attractions. Free parking, on-site dining, and modern event facilities make it ideal for a weekend chess festival.

🚗 How to Get There

By Air: Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 25 minutes by car.
By Car: Easily accessible from I-4 and State Road 535; ample hotel parking available.
By Public Transit: Shuttle and rideshare services widely available across Orlando.

Join hundreds of chess enthusiasts at the CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic Weekend Tournament — the perfect way to start your chess year in sunny Florida!