From June 13–15, the Central Florida Chess Club hosted the 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 event 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 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 event concluded with awards and prizes, recognizing 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.