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
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Open (3-Day): Game in 90 minutes with 30-second delay.
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Open (2-Day): Game 60; d5 for first two rounds, then Game 90; d30.
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Scholastic: Game 60; d5 for all rounds.
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Swiss-system pairings; up to two half-point byes if requested before Round 2.
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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
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Online Registration: https://www.chessregister.com/register?event_key=dqYBV8Is-P74OIGoKgDUQc1V04Ucuw73-2nkGVypuPY%3D
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Entry Fees:
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$110 – by January 2 2026
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$130 – until January 16 2026
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$140 – onsite registration
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Payment: via ChessRegister online checkout (credit card, PayPal, etc.)
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USCF Membership: required for all players in rated sections.
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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.
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📧 Email: info@centralflchess.org
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☎️ Phone: +1 (321) 297-7087
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🌐 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
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By Air: Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 25 minutes by car.
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By Car: Easily accessible from I-4 and State Road 535; ample hotel parking available.
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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!
