Florida’s premier class event returns with the 23rd Annual Southern Class Championships from Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15, 2026 in Kissimmee, Florida, United States. Continental Chess runs this long-standing weekend championship at a full-service resort property near the Disney area, with free parking and a free hotel shuttle to major attractions. The tournament awards prizes across seven rating sections, which lets players compete for meaningful class awards at every level.

This event uses a five-round Swiss format with both three-day and two-day schedule options. The top two sections offer FIDE-rated play, and the overall payout guarantees a large prize pool plus special Mixed Doubles awards. Players can also add a Saturday-night blitz tournament to their weekend schedule.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Master (2100+)

Master bonus:

Expert (1900–2199)

Class A (1700–1999)

Class B (1500–1799)

Class C (1300–1599)

Class D (Under 1400)

Class E (Under 1200)

Mixed Doubles (all sections)

Unrated prize limits:

• Players who enter Classes A–E without a rating have these maximum prize limits: Class E $100, Class D $200, Class C $300, Class B $400.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The event runs a five-round Swiss.

Time control:

• Three-day schedule: 40 moves in 80 minutes, then sudden death in 30 minutes, with 30-second delay.

• Two-day option: Rounds 1–2 use G/60 with 10-second delay.

Section rating notes:

• Master and Expert sections offer FIDE-rated play.

Bye rules:

• Players may take half-point byes in any round, with a limit of two.

• Players must commit to byes before Round 2.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

3-day schedule

2-day schedule

📝 Registration

Players enter online only.

Website: https://www.chessaction.com

Entry fee timing:

• Top six sections (Classes E–Master): $118 online at chessaction.com by March 10, 2026

• Top six sections (Classes E–Master): $130 later online or at the site until one hour before Round 1 (credit cards accepted; no checks)

• Class E entry fee: all prices run $30 less than the amounts listed above

Other entry rules:

• The event applies unofficial uschess.org ratings or US Chess Online Regular ratings when a player otherwise has no rating.

• Players may not play below their US Chess Online Regular rating minus 100 points.

• Re-entry costs $60, and players may not re-enter from Master into Master.

Refund rule:

• The organizer charges a $15 service fee for refunds.

👥 Organizer

Continental Chess runs the Southern Class Championships series and delivers a multi-section weekend format that targets fair class competition, strong prize support, and consistent tournament operations.

Email: cc@chesstour.com
Website: https://www.chesstour.com

🏨 Venue

Delta Hotels By Marriott Orlando Celebration hosts the tournament at 2900 Parkway Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34747. The resort property sits about one mile from Disney World, and it offers multiple pools, a whirlpool, free parking, and a free hotel shuttle to Disney World and Universal Studios.

🛎️ Accommodation

🚗 How to Get There

You can reach Kissimmee by car and continue directly to 2900 Parkway Boulevard for on-site parking at the hotel. Plan arrival based on your selected schedule so you can complete registration before the posted cutoff time.

Compete in your class section, chase major Grand Prix points, and make a full chess weekend out of the Orlando-area setting.

🧾 Other

• Mixed Doubles: a male/female two-player team can compete for combined-score prizes across all sections; the team rating must average under 2200, and teammates may play different sections and schedules.

• Mixed Doubles registration: register on site by 14:00 on Saturday; the organizer charges no extra fee.

• Prize delivery: the organizer typically pays prizes not claimed on site via PayPal.

• Blitz: the organizer runs a blitz tournament on Saturday night at 21:30, with on-site entry required by 21:10 on Saturday.