CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic

CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic

January 16-18, 2026 (3-Day Schedule)
January 17-18, 2026 (2-Day Schedule & Scholastic)

$9,000 (b/160) 60% Guaranteed* Enhanced Grand Prix: 40
6 Sections - Top 2 FIDE Rated - 5 Swiss Rounds - G/90; d30
Saturday Night Double-Round Open Blitz - 4SS G/3; d2
2-Day Schedule Rounds 1 & 2 - G/60; d5
All Scholastic Rounds - G/60; d5
*Scholastic Entry = 1/2

Holiday Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista

13351 State Road 535, Orlando, Florida, 32821 (407) 239-4500

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: (Under 1400) $550-275-130-65 /U1300 ($105) U1200 ($64) U1100 ($45)
Scholastic: (U1200) $215-105-65-25 /U1000 ($64) U800 ($43)

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR’S NOTES: Free entry for GM/WGM/IM/WIM ($110 EF deducted from any prize); rated players may play-up in any section that is within 100 rating points above their January 2026 USCF published rating or can play-up two (2) sections above their rating for an additional $100 entry fee; unrated players are limited to $100 prize (unless in master/expert section) and are required to have current USCF membership; players on the 3-day schedule are eligible to re-enter on Saturday morning with the TD ($60 re-entry fee); requested byes = 1⁄2-pt (max 2 requests) and must be confirmed with the TD before round 2 is paired; place prizes are issued with Zelle® (via your banking institution); prize winners not able to use Zelle can request a bank check at the tournament.
Players are expected to bring their own chess sets and clocks. Chess sets, books, clocks, and other chess merchandise are available at the on-site chess store during tournament hours on Sat & Sun
TOURNAMENT SIDE EVENTS: Saturday night USCF-rated 4SS G/3; d2 double-round open blitz tournament with a $500 guaranteed prize fund: EF $20, open to all players, must have active USCF membership, free entry for GM/WGM/IM/WIM (entry fee deducted from any prize); free chess lecture Sunday morning at 9am.
ONLINE ENTRY FEE: Early: $110 by January 2, 2026 / Late: $130 until 6pm, Friday, January 16, 2026 (when online registration closes); $55 off each amount for the scholastic section
ONLINE REGISTRATION: Must be completed by 6pm (EST) Friday, January 16, 2026: https://www.centralflchess.org/cfcc-2026-winter-open-and-scholastic-weekend-tournament#cfcc-2026-winter-open-registration-links
ON-SITE ENTRY FEE: $140 ($55 off for the scholastic section)
ON-SITE REGISTRATION: 2-day schedule & scholastic: 9-10am, Saturday, January 17, 2026 or 3-day schedule: 5-6pm Friday, January 16, 2026; the tournament directors can be found in the tournament room or the TD's office.
ENTRY FEE by US MAIL: CFCC, Attn: 2026 Winter Open, 7565 Laureate Blvd., Unit 3406, Orlando, FL. 32827 (must be postmarked by January 2, 2026)
3-DAY OPEN SCHEDULE: (G/90; d30) Friday 7pm, Saturday 11am & 5pm, Sunday 10am & 2:30pm
2-DAY OPEN SCHEDULE: Saturday: 11am & 2pm (G/60; d5); 5pm (G/90; d30) - Sunday: 10am & 2:30pm (G/90; d30)
SCHOLASTIC SCHEDULE: (G/60; d5) Saturday: 11am, 2pm & 5pm - Sunday: 10am & 1:00pm
SATURDAY NIGHT BLITZ SCHEDULE: (4SS G/3; d2) USCF-rated double-round open blitz tournament with a $500 guaranteed prize fund that begins soon after the 3rd round concludes (around 9-9:20pm).
ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY: Player phones and smart watches must be turned off in the tournament room and placed in your bag or next to your board (facing up). First violation is 30 minutes or half of your remaining time; second violation will result in the forfeit of your game.
CFCC HOTEL GROUP RATE: $127 + 50% off the $30/night resort fee (includes wifi and free parking).
GROUP RATE ENDS: December 19, 2026 (subject to room availability)
HOTEL ROOM BOOKING LINK: https://www.centralflchess.org/cfcc-2026-winter-open-and-scholastic-weekend-tournament#holiday-inn-room-reservations
WITHDRAWAL: Requests to withdraw from the tournament and receive a refund must be sent via email to: [email protected] no later than 6pm (EST) Friday, January 16, 2026 (when online registration closes); refunds are issued in full minus your original online registration transaction fee amount.
FOOD: No eating at board, beverages ok.
CFCC CLUB MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT: $10 ($5 for Jr/Sr membership); CFCC club membership must be active, please see TD to redeem.
ORGANIZER/EVENT INFO: https://www.centralflchess.org/cfcc-2026-winter-open-and-scholastic-weekend-tournament or email [email protected]
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: Steven Vigil (321) 297-7087 or via email at: [email protected]