2010 North American Open chess tournament

An American Classic
December 26-29 or 27-29, Nevada
ChessLecture.com Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)

20th annual North American Open. 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75), Bally's Casino Resort, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89103. Prizes $120,000 based on 600 paid entries (seniors, re-entries & GMs count as half entries, U1000/Unr Section & U1300 unrateds as 1/4), else in proportion; $90,000 minimum (75% each prize) guaranteed.

Open Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-800-600-500-400-400, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak bonus $200, 2300-2499 $2500-1200, U2300/Unr $2500-1200. FIDE rated.

Under 2100 Section: $8000-4000-2000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $2000.

Under 1900 Section: $8000-4000-2000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $1600.

Under 1700 Section: $8000-4000-2000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $1200.

Under 1500 Section: $6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300, no unrated may win over $800.

Under 1300 Section: $6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300, no unrated may win over $400.

Under 1000 Section: $1000-600-500-400-300-300-300-200-200-200, no unrated may win over $200.

Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 12/10 list may not win over $1500 U1300, $2500 U1500 or U1700. Games rated too late for 12/10 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any list 12/09-11/10, prize limit $1500. 3) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.

Mailed entry fee: 4-day $244, 3-day $243 mailed by 10/15, 4-day $274, 3-day $273 mailed by 12/13.

ONLINE entry fee: $245 at chesstour.com by 10/15, $275 by 12/20, $300 12/21 until two hours before round 1.

Phoned entry fee: $250 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/15 (no questions), $280 by 12/20. No phone entry after 12/20.

Special entry fee: Seniors over 65 in Under 1300 or above, $130 less. Re-entry $120; not available in Open Section. GMs $150 from prize.

Under 1000 Section entry fee: 4-day $84, 3-day $83 if mailed by 12/13, $85 ONLINE at chesstour.com by 12/20, $90 phoned by 12/20 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $100 at site.

Entry fee for unrated in Under 1000 or Under 1300: 4-day $54, 3-day $53 if mailed by 12/13, $55 ONLINE at chesstour.com by 12/20, $60 phoned by 12/20 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $70 at site.

All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry- Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.

      4-day schedule reg. ends 12/26 5 pm, rds 12/26 6 pm, 12/27 11 am & 6 pm, 12/28 11 am & 6 pm, 12/29 10 am & 4:30 pm.
       3-day schedule reg. ends 12/27 10 am, rds 12/27 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, 12/28 11 am & 6 pm, 12/29 10 am & 4:30 pm.
       Half point byes: OK all rounds, limit 4, limit 2 in last 4 rounds; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4.
      The 4-day and 3-day schedules merge after round 2 and compete for the same prizes.

Hotel rates: For Dec 26-29, reduced to $65-65 IF YOU RESERVE BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3. 800-833-3308, 702-739-4111. For Dec 24 or 25, $95. For Dec 30 the chess rate is $95 but there may be no rooms left. After Dec 3, rates may be higher.

Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.

Ratings: December official USCF rating list used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Unofficial ratings are not used if you have an official rating. Foreign player rating info.

Special rules: In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or more and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, or cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission, and must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director.

Entry: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.

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Dec. 29                             Nevada
       ChessLecture.com Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
North American Blitz. $2,500 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND! 5-SS, G/5 (double round,10 games), Bally's Las Vegas (see North American Open). $$G 2500. In 2 sections: Open: $400-200-150, top U2300/Unr $240-120, U2100 $220-110. Under 1900: $300-150-100, top U1700 $180-100, U1500 $150, U1300 $80. EF: $40, no checks, enter at site only. Quick-rated, but higher of regular or quick USCF rating used for pairings, prizes. USCF membership required. Reg. ends 10:15 pm, rds. 10:45 pm, 11:30 pm, 12:15 am, 12:45 am, 1:15 am. Bye: 1.
NOTE ERRORS IN PREVIOUS POST ON THIS WEBSITE!
THERE IS NO UNDER 1800 SECTION. THERE ARE NO PRIZES FOR U2400, U2200, U2000, U1600, U1400 OR UNDER 1200. The Tournament Life Announcement in Chess Life is correct.

Dec. 28         Nevada
North American Open Fischer Random Quad (not USCF rated).
3/RR, G/17 + 3 seconds delay or G/20. EF $30. Prizes $80-40 each section. Reg. ends 10:15 pm, rounds 10:30, 11:10, 11:50. Ent: At site only, no checks.