Southern Class Championships Friday March, 13 – Sunday March, 15, 2026
https://www.chesstour.com/scc26.htm
23rd annual
SOUTHERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 13-15 or 14-15, 2026
Delta Hotels By Marriott Orlando Celebration
In Kissimmee, Florida
$17,000 Guaranteed Prizes
US Chess Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
US Chess Junior Grand Prix
23rd Annual Southern Class Championships. 5-SS, 40/80, SD/30; d30 (2-day option, rounds 1-2 G/60 d10, Delta Hotels By Marriott Orlando Celebration, 2900 Parkway Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34747 (20 acres with two pools), one mile from Disney World (free hotel shuttle to Disney World and Universal Studios). Free parking.
In 7 sections:
Master Section (2100/up): $1600-800-400-300, clear or tiebreak win $100 bonus. FIDE rated.
Expert Section (1900-2199): $1200-700-400-200. FIDE rated.
Class A Section (1700-1999): $1200-700-400-200. FIDE rated.
Class B Section (1500-1799): $1200-700-400-200.
Class C Section (1300-1599): $1000-500-300-200.
Class D Section (Under 1400): $1000-500-300-200.
Class E Section (Under 1200): $600-400-200-100.
Playing up: These expanded rating class boundaries allow players rated within the top third of the above rating boundaries of each section the option to play up in the next highest section (also see peakrating.us); Under 1200 players may play in Class E or may elect to play up in Class D.
Mixed Doubles Team Bonus Prizes! Best male+female 2-player combined score among all sections: $500-300-200. Team must average under 2200; may play in different sections and schedules; register at site (no extra fee) by 2 pm Sat; prize limits do not apply to Mixed Doubles team prizes.
Unrated may enter A through E, with prize limit $100 E, $200 D, $300 C, $400 B. If unrated prizewinner is limited, remaining balance goes to next eligible player(s) in line.
Playing up: see peakrating.us.
Cannot play below USCF Online Regular rating minus 100 points. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
Top 6 sections entry fee: $118 online at chessaction.com by 3/10, $130 later online or at site until 1 hour before Round 1 (no checks, credit cards OK). GMs, IMs & WGMs: free with $100 deducted from prize. No mail entries.
Class E Section entry fee: All $30 less than top 6 sections entry fee above.
All sections: USCF membership required. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with online entry at chessaction.com: Adult $54, Senior (age 65+) $48, Young Adult $33, Youth $24.Re-entry (no Master to Master) $60.
3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rounds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:30 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rounds Sat 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:30 pm.
All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before round 2.
Foreign player rating info Prizewinner tax info CCA electronic devices policies
PLAYERS MAY NOT POSSESS CELLPHONES DURING PLAY. Please leave your phone home, or in your hotel room or car, or in a bag at your table.
For all tournaments, adjusted FIDE or foreign ratings, if higher than USCF, may be used. Players must disclose FIDE or foreign ratings when entering, or may later be expelled. Other over the board ratings such as club, league, scholastic, state or province, etc, adjusted if appropriate, may be used at our discretion if above USCF. No rating below the latest official USCF rating, on the list corresponding to the ending date of the tournament, will be used. For 9 round events offering title norm possibilities, FIDE ratings are used. Click here for further details.
Ratings: March official USCF ratings used (USCF Online Regular or unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated). Players must reveal foreign, FIDE and other over the board ratings, and these ratings, adjusted if necessary, may be used if higher than USCF. See also above.
Discounted Hotel Chess Rates (use this link): $145-145-145-145. Hotel reservations link also posted at chessevents.us (or call 407-396-7000, request Chess rate); reserve by 2/27 or rate may increase.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied.
US Chess Junior Grand Prix points available.
Enter online: chessaction.com. $15 service charge for refunds.
Questions: Director@Chess.us, www.chesstour.com. Entries posted at chessaction.com (click “entry list” after entering).
BLITZ TOURNAMENT Saturday 9:30 pm; enter Saturday at site only by 9:10 pm.