CFCC 2026 Winter Open & Scholastic
Weekend Tournament

CFCC 2025 Winter Open & Scholastic

 

January 16-18, 2026

3-Day Schedule

January 17-18, 2026

2-Day Schedule/Scholastic

 
 

Quick Links:
Online Registration | Director’s Notes | Room Reservations

Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista
13351 State Road 535
Orlando, Florida 32821
(407) 239-4500

6 Sections - Top 2 Sections are FIDE Rated

$9,000 (b/160) 60 % Guaranteed*
Enhanced Grand Prix: 40
5 Rounds at G/90; d30 w/ 6 Sections


3-day schedule:
All rounds G/90; d30
2-day schedule:
Rounds 1 & 2 - G/60; d5
Scholastic schedule:
All rounds G/60; d5

*Scholastic=1/2 EF - Free entry for GM/WGM/IM/WIM (entry fee deducted from any prize) - See tournament director’s notes for complete details.

Do you want a FIDE ID number?

 
 

Apply here if you are a US Chess member. Any player who meets the eligibility requirements for a USA-flagged FIDE can complete our simple FIDE ID request form at: https://forms.gle/fCCTis7WgtJEb2rv6.

All players eligible for a USA-flagged FIDE ID who do not have a US Chess ID must submit their request using this method. Note: There is no charge for establishing your FIDE ID number.

 

Event ENTRY FEEs:

Early: $110 by midnight, January 2, 2026
Late: $130 until 6:00 pm (EST), January 16, 2026
(when online registration closes)
On-Site Entry Fee: $140
Scholastic U1200: $55 off each amount for the scholastic section

Saturday Night Open 4SS G/3; d2 Double-Round Blitz:
$20 Entry - USCF Rated - Guaranteed $500 in Prizes: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd + Top U1600 & U1400
Free entry for GM/WGM/IM/WIM (entry fee deducted from any prize)

2026 Winter Open & Scholastic
Online Registration Links

(early entry discount ends midnight, January 2, 2026 EST)

Register - master/expert/a/b/c/d
Register - Scholastic (U1200)
Register - Saturday Night Blitz
 

Tournament Schedule

2-DAY SCHEDULE (G/90; d30)
(Rounds 1 & 2: G/60; d5)
Saturday: 11am - 2pm - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 2:30pm

3-DAY SCHEDULE (G/90; d30)
Friday: 7pm
Saturday: 11am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 2:30pm

SCHOLASTIC SCHEDULE (G/60; d5)
Saturday: 11am - 2pm - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 1pm

SATURDAY NIGHT OPEN DOUBLE-ROUND BLITZ (G/3; d2)
Begins right after the 3rd round at around 9-9:15 pm

TOURNAMENT SIDE EVENTS

Free Chess Lecture:
Sunday morning at 9:00am

On-Site Chess Store:
Chess sets, clocks, books, and other chess merchandise are available during tournament hours on Sat & Sun.

New Prize Payout Guidelines: To simplify and expedite prize payouts on Sunday, CFCC will be issuing prizes with Zelle (via your banking institution). Prize winners who are not able to use Zelle can request a bank check from the TD before leaving the tournament.

Tournament Director’s Notes:

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
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
WITHDRAWAL: Requests to withdraw from the tournament and receive a refund must be sent via email to: info@centralflchess.org 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 info@centralflchess.org
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: Steven Vigil (321) 297-7087 or via email

 

CFCC 2025 Autumn Open & SCholastic Group Rate Room Reservations

 
 

Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista
13351 State Road 535
Orlando, Florida 32821
Main: (407) 239-4500

Will be updated soon
 

Group Rate Benefits

 
  • $127/night with 50% off the $30/night resort fee with the group rate.

  • Room stays include free self-parking, complementary wi-fi, fitness center access, and business center amenities.

  • Group rate cutoff is December 19, 2025 and is subject to room availability, players should make their reservations as early as possible.

  • Phone reservations can also be made by calling (866) 808-8833 - make sure to mention you’re attending the tournament.

Hotel Note: When booking your room, the $30/night resort fee added to your room reservation will be reduced by 50% when checking in.