January 22-24, 2027

3-Day Schedule

January 23-24, 2027

2-Day Schedule/Scholastic

Quick Links
Registration | Schedule | Director Notes
Room Reservations

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.

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 Notes for details.

Tournament Location

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

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.

2027 Winter Open & Scholastic ENTRY FEEs

Early: $120 by midnight Friday, January 8, 2027
Late: $140 until 6pm Friday, January 22, 2027 (EST)
(when online registration closes)
On-Site Entry Fee: $150
Scholastic U1200: $60 off each amount above

On-Site Registration Hours
2-Day Schedule & Scholastic: 9-10am Saturday, January 23, 2027 (EST)
3-Day Schedule: 5-6pm Friday, January 22, 2027 (EST)

Saturday Night Open Blitz

Saturday Night Open USCF-Rated 4SS G/3; d2
Double-Round Blitz Tournament
$20 Entry* - $500 Guaranteed Prize Fund
Enhanced Grand Prix: 10
1st - $150 - 2nd $100 - 3rd $72
Top U1800 $70 - U1500 $60 - U1200 $48

*Free entry for GM/WGM/IM/WIM
($20 entry fee deducted from any prize)

Note: Blitz players can either register on-site with the tournament directors’ or register online by 7pm Saturday, January 23, 2027 (when the blitz online registration closes)

Blitz online registration closes 7pm Saturday, January 23, 2027 (EST)

2027 Winter Open & Scholastic
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
9am Sunday morning

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

2027 Winter Open & Scholastic Tournament Director Notes

• Free entry for GM/WGM/IM/WIM ($120 EF deducted from any prize)

• Rated players may play-up in any section that is within 100 rating points above their January 2027 USCF published rating or can request to play-up two (2) sections above their rating for an additional $100 entry fee by contacting us prior to the event to arrange payment at: info@centralflchess.org or on-site with the TD before your scheduled 1st round is paired.

• 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 tournament 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; enhanced grand prix = 10; entry fee $20, open to all players, must have active USCF membership; free entry for GM/WGM/IM/WIM ($20 entry fee deducted from any prize)

• Free chess lecture Sunday morning at 9am.

ONLINE ENTRY FEE

• Early: $120 by midnight January 8, 2027

• Late: $140 until 6pm Friday, January 22, 2027 (EST) when online registration closes

• $60 off each amount for the scholastic section

• Online Registration: Must be completed by 6pm Friday, January 22, 2027 (EST)

ON-SITE ENTRY FEE
$150 ($60 off for the scholastic section) For on-site registration, the tournament directors can be found in the tournament room or the TD's office to assist with either schedule:

• 3-Day Schedule: 5-6pm, Friday, January 22, 2027 (EST)

• 2-Day Schedule & Scholastic: 9-10am, January 23. 2027 (EST)

ENTRY FEE by US MAIL
CFCC, Attn: 2027 Winter Open, 7565 Laureate Blvd., Unit 3406, Orlando, FL. 32827 (must be postmarked by January 8, 2027)

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

• 3-Day Schedule: (G/90; d30) Friday 7pm, Saturday 11am & 5pm, Sunday 10am & 2:30pm

• 2-Day 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: (4SS G/3; d2) USCF-rated double-round open blitz tournament with a $500 guaranteed prize fund that begins right after the 3rd round concludes (around 9-9:20pm).

CFCC HOTEL GROUP RATE

• $119/night (plus state & local taxes); group rate available 3-days before and after the tournament (January 19-27, 2027); includes wifi & free parking.

• Group Rate Ends: January 8, 2027 (rooms are subject to availability, players should make their reservations as early as possible)

• Group Rate Booking

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.

WITHDRAWAL REQUEST
Requests to withdraw from the tournament and receive a refund must be sent via email to: info@centralflchess.org no later than 6pm Friday, January 22, 2027 (EST) when online registration closes; refunds are issued in full minus your original online registration transaction fee amount.

FOOD & BEVERAGE
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
info@centralflchess.org

TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS
Steven Vigil (321) 297-7087 / email or Charles Hatherill (702) 743-0305 / email

CFCC 2027 Winter Open & SCholastic Group Rate Room Reservations

Tournament Location

Group Rate Benefits

• $119/night (plus state & local taxes); group rate available 3-days before and after the tournament (January 19-27, 2027); 50% off resort fee ($15); includes wifi & free parking.

• Group Rate Ends: January 8, 2027 (rooms are subject to availability, players should make their reservations as early as possible)