18th annual
CHICAGO OPEN
May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 2009
7 rounds, 8 sections, Memorial Day weekend
At the elegant Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel

You play only those in your section.
$100,000 PRIZE FUND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!

7 round Swiss, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75. 2-day option, rds 1-4 G/45.)
Under 900 Section plays separate 2-day schedule only, G/45.

At Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090.  From Chicago, take I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south.  Free parking; restaurants within walking distance.

In 8 sections:

Open Section: $8000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, clear first bonus $200, top Under 2500/Unr $2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 5/26 10:30 pm (white 5 minutes, black 3 minutes & gets draw odds, 5 second delay) for title & bonus prize. FIDE rated, 200 Grand Prix Points (enhanced).

Under 2300 Section: $6000-3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300.  FIDE rated.

Under 2100 Section: $6000-3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300.

Under 1900 Section: $6000-3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300.

Under 1700 Section: $6000-3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300.

Under 1500 Section: $5000-2500-1200-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300.

Under 1300 Section: $3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300, top Under 1100 $800-400.  Under 1100 play for both U1300 section prizes & U1100 class prizes; receive larger if winning both.

Under 900 Section: $200-120-80, trophies to top 10.

Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/09 list may not win over $1500 in U1300 or $2500 in U1500.  Games rated too late for 5/09 list not counted. 2) Players who were rated more than 30 points over section maximum on any list 5/08-4/09 have a prize limit of $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $100 in U900, $600 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1300 U1700, $1600 U1900 or $2000 U2100.  4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.

Mailed entry fee: 4-day $199, 3-day $198, 2-day $197 mailed by 3/16, 4-day $219, 3-day $218, 2-day $217 mailed by 5/13, all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. 

ONLINE entry fee at chesstour.com: $200 by 3/16, $220 by 5/19, $250 after 5/20 until 2 hours before rd 1.

Phoned entry fee (406-896-2038, entries only, no questions): $205 by 3/16, $225 by 5/19. No phone entry after 5/19.

Special entry fee: $70 less to all in Under 1300 Section and to seniors over 65 in Under 1500 & above sections. GMs free; $150 deducted from prize.  WGMs $100; another $100 deducted from prize. Re-entry $100; no re-entry from Open to Open.

Under 900 Section entry fee: $24 if mailed by 5/13, $25 ONLINE at chesstour.com by 5/19, $30 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/19 (entry only, no questions), $40 at site.  No checks at site, credit cards OK.

FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in Under 900 or Under 1300 Sections!

Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: ONLINE at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. USCF membership required.   

ICA membership ($15, scholastic $10) required for rated Illinois residents.

$20 fee for switching section after 5/19.

4-day schedule: Late entries end Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 12 & 7, Sun 12 & 7, Mon 10 & 4:30.
3-day schedule: Late entries end Sat 11 am, rds. Sat 12, 3:30 & 7, Sun 12 & 7, Mon 10 & 4:30.
2-day schedule (U1300 & up): Late entries end Sun 9 am; rds. Sun 10, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 & 7, Mon 10 & 4:30.
2-day schedule (U900): Late entries end Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, Mon 10, 12:30, 2:30.
Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 3; Open must commit before round 2, others before round 4.
All schedules merge & compete for same prizes.

Ratings:  May official USCF ratings used.  FIDE ratings not used for US players.    Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games are usually used if otherwise unrated.  Unofficial ratings are not used if you have an official rating. Advance entries may request "lowest possible section" if May rating is unknown. Foreign player rating info.

Special rules: Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director.  In round 4 or after, players with scores of over 80% and their opponents may not use unauthorized headphones, earphones or cellphones or go to a different floor of the building without Director permission. 

Hotel rates: $94 for 1-4/room, 800-223-3000, 847-777-6500; reserve by 5/9 or rate may increase or hotel sell out.
Car rental: Avis (800-331-1600), use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com.

Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. 

Entry: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658.  You may request "lowest possible section" if May rating unknown.  No smoking.  Invitation requests: go at chess.us.  Advance entries posted at chesstour.com.  JGP (Junior Grand Prix Points available).

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