Final round, board 1 - FM Corey Acor (2351) (L) vs FM Jorge Leon Oquendo (2501) (R), CFCC 2025 Sunshine Open & Scholastic weekend tournament.
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2025 Sunshine Open
With a final score of 4.5/5 points, CFCC wishes to congratulate FM Jorge Leon Oquendo (2501) for his clear 1st place win in our CFCC 2025 Sunshine Open this past weekend at the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista!
2025 Sunshine Open (Scholastic U1200)
With a perfect score of 5/5 points, CFCC wishes to congratulate Fernando C. (1201) for his clear 1st place win in our 2025 Sunshine Open Scholastic!
2025 Sunshine Open (BLITZ)
In a 3-way tie with 7/8 points each, CFCC wishes to congratulate FM Corey Acor (2379), NM Ryan Hamley (1895), and NM Brayan Amaya (2205) for winning our Sunshine Open Blitz tournament on Saturday night!
We also wish to thank all the players who participated and congratulate those who placed in their respective sections!
Central Florida Chess Club (CFCC)
TOURNAMENT RATING REPORTS
TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
2025 SUNSHINE Open
PGN’s For The Top Boards
by Alex Dshalalow, CFCC Assistant Tournament Director
2025 Sunshine Open & Scholastic Tournament Overview
From June 13–15, the Central Florida Chess Club hosted its highly anticipated 2025 Sunshine Open & Scholastic chess tournament at the Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista in Orlando.
Drawing an impressive field of 199 players, the weekend tournament offered a dynamic blend of competitive intensity and community spirit. Participants competed across six sections—from Master/Expert to Scholastic U1200—in a five-round Swiss format. Players could choose between a traditional 3-day schedule with classical time controls or a faster-paced 2-day option, culminating in a unified field by Round 3.
The weekend featured not only fierce over-the-board battles but also a USCF-rated blitz tournament, a free instructional lecture, and a vibrant atmosphere that celebrated chess at every level.
The tournament officially began Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. with the first round of the 3-day schedule. Saturday morning saw the arrival of the full roster, as the 2-day schedule kicked off at 11:00 a.m. with a faster time control. By Round 3, held Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m., all players were merged into unified sections, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
The third round concluded just after 9:00 p.m., immediately followed by a high-energy USCF-rated double-round blitz tournament that drew a strong turnout and added a rapid-fire twist to the weekend’s classical format.
Sunday morning began with a highlight of the weekend: a free chess lecture delivered by Chief Tournament Director and experienced instructor, Steven Vigil. His insights and practical advice were well-received by players and parents alike, setting a thoughtful tone for the final day of competition.
At 10:00 a.m., Round 4 commenced, followed by the decisive fifth round at 2:30 p.m. The Scholastic section, which followed the 2-day schedule, held its final round at 1:00 p.m. The annual tournament concluded with cash prizes, recognizing the top performers in each section.
Notably, both the Master and Class A sections were FIDE-rated, adding an extra layer of prestige and international recognition to the event. These sections featured the strongest players in the field, including FIDE Masters and National Masters, as well as candidate masters and experts, with highly-rated Class A competitors, all vying for rating points and top honors under international standards.
Hope you enjoy my detailed section recap’s provided below!
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View the Master/Expert section recap
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View the Class A section recap
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View the Class B section recap
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View the Class C section recap
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View the Class D section recap
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View the Scholastic section recap
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View the blitz tournament recap
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The Sunshine Open & Scholastic weekend tournament was organized by the Central Florida Chess Club (CFCC), under the leadership of NM Larry Storch and Kevin Sibbitt. CFCC’s Chief Tournament Director was Steven Vigil, whose extensive experience and strategic oversight ensured the tournament ran smoothly and efficiently.
In addition to my role as Assistant Floor TD, Vigil was assisted by CFCC’s National Tournament Director & FIDE International Arbiter Charles Hatherill, who seamlessly administered the dual-rated Master/Expert & Class A sections as well as serving as Senior Floor TD. Hatherill’s expertise in international events and attention to detail were instrumental in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the games.
Together, their combined efforts contributed significantly to the tournament's success, fostering a competitive yet respectful vibe for all participants.
The visual storytelling of the chess tournament was provided by Event Photographer Kevin Sibbitt. His keen eye and artistic approach brings each of our tournaments to life by capturing the essence of the tournament’s match-ups.
Sibbitt's work not only captures the intense moments of competition but also highlights the camaraderie and energy of the players, parents, and guests in attendance. The numerous photos he provides below offer a vivid and engaging glimpse into the tournament’s atmosphere.
2025 SUNSHINE Open Slideshow Gallery
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