The CFCC 2027 Autumn Open & Scholastic Weekend Tournament takes place in Kissimmee, United States, on September 24–26, 2027, with a $9,000 advertised prize fund based on 160 entries and 60% guaranteed. Central Florida Chess Club organizes the competition, which welcomes players from master level through scholastic categories.

The main competition features five Swiss-system rounds across six independent sections. The Master/Expert and Class A sections are FIDE-rated; all sections are US Chess-rated. The three-day classical schedule uses G/90 with a 30-second delay, while the two-day option begins with faster rounds. Scholastic players use G/60 with a five-second delay throughout.

Players register through separate main-event and scholastic entry forms. Regular entry costs $120 by September 10, rises to $140 through September 24 at 6 PM, and costs $150 on site; scholastic entries receive a $60 reduction. A current US Chess membership is required. The event also offers limited half-point byes and a separate Saturday-night blitz event.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The five-round Swiss competition offers two main playing schedules and a separate scholastic schedule. In the time-control notation, d30 and d5 mean a delay of 30 or five seconds per move, respectively; these are not increments. Section rankings use the player’s published September 2027 US Chess rating where applicable.

🏆 Prize Fund

The main event advertises $9,000 in prizes based on 160 entries, with 60% guaranteed. The section prizes below are advertised amounts; actual payouts are subject to the organizer’s stated guarantee and entry-based conditions. The separate Saturday blitz prize fund is not part of this main-event breakdown.

Master / Expert (2000+)

Class A (1800–1999)

Class B (1600–1799)

Class C (1400–1599)

Class D (U1400)

Scholastic U1200

Prize winners normally receive payments through Zelle. Those unable to use Zelle may request a bank check from the tournament director before leaving the venue. The organizer’s stated prize limits for unrated players also apply.

♟️ Sections / Groups

Players compete in six separately paired rating sections. The two highest divisions carry FIDE rating in addition to US Chess rating. The scholastic group has its own time control, final-round time, and reduced entry fee.

Eligible players who want to enter a higher division must follow the play-up rules described above. Section eligibility and prize restrictions depend on the organizer’s current September 2027 rating supplement.

📅 Schedule

The event runs in Kissimmee on September 24–26, 2027. All times below are local Orlando times. Main-event participants choose the official three-day or two-day schedule, while scholastic players follow a separate two-day timetable. Registration takes place before the applicable first round.

Three-day main tournament

Two-day main tournament

Scholastic U1200

📝 Registration

Register online through the relevant section-specific form, or see the tournament directors at the stated on-site times. Registration for the three-day schedule opens on Friday; the two-day and scholastic schedules register on Saturday morning. All entry amounts are in US dollars.

Withdrawals requesting a refund must reach the club by 6 PM Friday, September 24, 2027. The original online transaction processing fee is not refunded; the remainder returns to the original payment method. For registration assistance, email info@centralflchess.org.

🏛️ Organizer

Central Florida Chess Club (CFCC) is an Orlando-area nonprofit chess organization founded in 1987. The volunteer-led club has organized more than 400 US Chess-rated tournaments. Its 2027 Autumn weekend is directed by Steven Vigil and Charles Hatherill.

📍 Venue

The tournament takes place at Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Celebration, 2900 Parkway Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34747, United States. The hotel sits in the Celebration resort area near the junction of Interstate 4 and US-192. The host property also offers an organizer-arranged group room block for tournament visitors.

🏨 Accommodation

The competition takes place inside the Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Celebration, making the host property the easiest choice between rounds. Other accommodations in the Celebration and US-192 area offer different room layouts and facilities. Compare terms for your selected dates before booking.

The organizer also offers a $104-per-night host-hotel group rate plus tax for eligible reservations during the September 21–29, 2027 booking window, subject to availability. The organizer’s group offer includes Wi-Fi and parking; the advertised group-rate booking period ends August 27, 2027. Use the official tournament page for that separate group-rate offer.

🍽️ Nearby Restaurants & Cafés

There are several practical dining choices along Parkway Boulevard and the nearby US-192 corridor. The map links below identify individual restaurants; check their current hours before relying on them between rounds.

🚆 How to Get There

The playing venue is on Parkway Boulevard in Kissimmee, in the Celebration area south of Orlando. For an accurate arrival point, enter the complete address 2900 Parkway Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34747 into your route planner. The last part of the journey may require a car or rideshare even when arriving by public transportation.

✈️ By Air — Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport is the main airport for visitors arriving from other US cities or overseas. After collecting luggage, follow terminal signs for the licensed taxi, rideshare or rental-car facilities. Give your driver the full hotel address and specify Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Celebration, because several Orlando hotels carry the Delta or Celebration name. Consult the official airport website for ground-transport pickup instructions. Allow extra flexibility during Friday afternoon airport and resort traffic.

🚉 By Rail — Kissimmee Amtrak Station

Kissimmee Amtrak Station serves rail passengers coming to the southern Orlando area. From the station in central Kissimmee, continue to the Parkway Boulevard hotel by taxi, rideshare or a journey planned with local bus connections. The hotel is outside the downtown station area, so do not assume it is within walking distance. Check your train’s arrival and departure details before selecting a Sunday return service.

🚌 By Local Bus

LYNX operates bus services around Kissimmee, Celebration and the US-192 corridor. Routes serving the Kissimmee Intermodal Station and West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway can form part of a public-transport journey. However, routes and stops can change before September 2027, so check the official route planner for connections to Parkway Boulevard and the closest safe pedestrian access to the hotel. For early rounds or late finishes, arrange an alternative if the bus timetable does not fit.

🚗 By Car, Taxi or Rideshare

The venue lies near Interstate 4, Exit 64, and the US-192 / West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway corridor. Drivers can approach the Parkway Boulevard area using local highway signage, then follow the hotel’s street address to the property entrance. If you book the official tournament hotel group rate, the club advertises complimentary parking as part of that offer. Other parking arrangements may have different conditions; confirm them with the hotel before traveling.

🚶 Local Access

Players staying at the host hotel can reach the tournament rooms inside the same property. Several eateries and hotel buildings sit nearby on Parkway Boulevard, but road crossings and resort-property entrances affect pedestrian routes. Check the precise walking approach during daylight, particularly if you expect to return after the Saturday-night blitz.

ℹ️ Other Information

Players should review the event’s equipment and fair-play policies before the first round. The club also schedules additional chess activities during the weekend.

Fair Play & Equipment

Players must bring their own chess sets and clocks. Phones and smartwatches must be switched off in the tournament room and placed in a bag or next to the board, face up. The first electronic-device violation results in a time penalty of 30 minutes or half the player’s remaining time; a second violation results in forfeiture. Eating at the board is prohibited, although beverages are permitted.

Saturday Blitz & Sunday Activities

A separate US Chess-rated, double-round Saturday-night open blitz uses a four-round Swiss format with G/3; d2. It offers $500 guaranteed in blitz prizes, costs $20 to enter, and is scheduled after Saturday’s third main round, around 9–9:20 PM. Online blitz registration closes at 7 PM Saturday, September 25. A free chess lecture takes place on Sunday at 9 AM, and an on-site chess store operates Saturday and Sunday.

Useful Official Links