31st annual WORLD OPEN

July 2-6, July 4-6, June 30-July 6, or June 28-July 6, 2003

31st annual World Open.  9-round Swiss, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-5 G/50), Adam's Mark Hotel, City Line Ave (Rt 1 at I-76 City Ave exit), Philadelphia PA 19131. World's biggest open tournament- $180,000 guaranteed prizes. Free analysis of your games by GM Pal Benko, former world title candidate; free lectures by other GMs 7/3 10 am, 7/4 10 am, 7/5 9 am. Unrateds must enter Open or Unrated sections. Open Section entry fee is $80 more than listed below if Under 1900 or unrated.

Open Section: Guaranteed prizes $14000-7000-3500-2000-1000-800- 700-600-500-400, 11th-20th each $300, clear winner bonus $500, 2300-2449/unr $3000-1500, U2300 $3000-1500. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 7/6 11:30 pm (white 6 minutes, black 5 minutes & gets draw odds) for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible in all schedules except 3-day. FIDE rated. A US Championship qualifier (see below).

Under 2200 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-500-400- 400, 11th-20th each $300.

Under 2000 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-500-400- 400, 11th-20th each $300.

Under 1800 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-500-400- 400, 11th-20th each $300.

Under 1600 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-500-400- 400, 11th-20th each $300.

Under 1400 Section: $ 6000-3000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400- 400, 11th-20th each $300.

Under 1200 Section: $4000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-500-400-400, 11th-20th each $300, top Under 1000 $1000-500. Under 1000s play for both U1000 & U1200 prizes; receive larger if winning both. If 1400/over established on any list after 12/98, prize limit in U1200 Section is $500.

Unrated Section: $1000-700-500-400-300-200-200-100-100-100; players without US Social Security ID may not win over $400.

Prize limits: If 6/03 list rating based on under 10 games, limit $2000 in Under 1200 Section, $3000 in Under 1400 through Under 2200 Section. If 6/03 list rating based on 11-25 games, limit $5000 in Under 1400 Section through Under 2200 Section. Games rated too late for 6/03 list not counted. Balance of prize goes to next player(s) in line.

Entry fee, if mailed by 2/15: 7-day $227, 5-day $225, 3-day $223, 2-weekend $222. If mailed by 5/15: 7-day $247, 5-day $245, 3-day $243, 2-weekend $242. If mailed by 6/19: 7-day $257, 5-day $255, 3-day $253.
All $80 more if under 1900 or unrated playing in Open Section.

At site: All $280; no checks, credit cards OK.   $80 more if under 1900 or unrated playing in Open Section.

ONLINE entry at chesstour.com: EF $220 by 2/15, $240 by 5/15, $250 by 6/25, $280 after 6/25 until 2 hours before rd 1.  $80 more if under 1900 or unrated playing in Open Section.

Phone entry at 845-496-9658: EF $230 by 2/15, $250 by 5/15, $260 by 6/25. No phone entries after 6/25.  $80 more if under 1900 or unrated playing in Open Section.

GMs free; $200 EF deducted from prize.

Unrated Section (5-day or 3-day only): EF: 5-day $45, 3-day $43 if mailed by 6/19, all $42 online at chesstour.com by 6/25, $50 by phone at 845-496-9658 by 6/25, $60 at site.

Entry fee discounts: $30 less to rated juniors under 18 & rated seniors over 65. Under 1200 Section, $70 less if under 1000 on 6/02 list (players taking U1000 discount do not get junior or senior discount). Callers must request discount, or will be charged full fee.

Backup phone entry: 406-896-2038 through 6/25 (entries only, no questions, no dropouts, no switches).

Re-entry: $120, any section but Open, any schedule, byes OK, no discounts.

Schedules:

       5-day schedule: 7/2 7 pm, 7/3-4 12 noon & 7 pm, 7/5 11 am & 6 pm, 7/6 10 am & 5 pm.

        7-day schedule: 6/30-7/4 7 pm each day, 7/5 11 am & 6 pm, 7/6 10 am & 5 pm.

        3-day schedule: 7/4 12 noon, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 7 pm and 9:30 pm, 7/5 11 am & 6 pm; 7/6 10 am & 5 pm.

        2-weekend schedule: 6/28 12 noon & 6:30 pm, 6/29 10 am & 4:30 pm, 7/4 7 pm, 7/5 11 am & 6 pm, 7/6 10 am & 5 pm.

   All schedules merge & compete for same prizes.

    1/2-pt byes OK all rounds, limit 4. Rounds 6-9 byes: limit 2; must commit before round 5.

All: Entries, re-entries close 90 minutes before your first game. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied.

Hotel rates: $85 for 1-4/room at Adam's Mark, 215-581-5000, & Holiday Inn next door, 215-477-0200. Reserve by 5/29 or rates may increase.

Special airfares: American Airlines (800-433-1790, 3463AG), US Airways (877-874-7687, #28622582), Delta (800-241-6760, #192193A). Reserve at least 60 days in advance for largest discount.

Special car rental rates: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.

Foreign player ratings: 100 pts added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200 or more to most foreign, no pts added to CFC. Highest of multiple ratings used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled.

US player ratings: June list used (usually same as July label); FIDE ratings not used.

Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied.

Entries: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. Invitation requests: go@chess.usnojunk (delete "nojunk"). You may request "lowest possible section" if June rating unknown.

US CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS:  The 2004 US Championship is expected to be held in September.  There will be qualifying tournaments in both 2003 and 2004.  The 2003 World Open will have two overall qualifying spots plus one for women.  The fee for those wishing to play for qualification is $75.