46th annual

LIBERTY BELL OPEN

Jan 17-20, 18-20 or 19-20 (Martin Luther King weekend)
Sonesta Hotel, Philadelphia

A Heritage Event

Jan. 17-20, 18-20 or 19-20, Pennsylvania

Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (Enhanced)

46th annual Liberty Bell Open

7SS, 40/110, SD/30, d10 (3 day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10; 2 day option in U2100 to U1000, rds 1-4 G/30, d5). 

At Sonesta Hotel, 1800 Market St, Philadelphia 19103.
Prizes $20,000 based on 320 paid entries (re-entries, GMs & U1000 Section count 50%), else in proportion, except minimum 70% of each prize guaranteed.

In 2006 to 2013, the tournament had over 320 paid entries each year and the $20,000 projected prize fund was increased in proportion.

In 7 sections:

Open: $1700-1000-500-400-300, 1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $800-400. FIDE rated, but USCF rules used, not FIDE laws.
Under 2100: $1000-600-400-300-200.
Under 1900: $1000-600-400-300-200.
Under 1700: $1000-600-400-300-200.
Under 1500: $900-500-400-300-200.
Under 1300: $800-500-400-300-200.
Under 1000: $300-200-120-100-80, trophies to first 3, top U800, U600, Unrated.
Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $200 in U1000, $500 in U1300, $700 U1500, or $900 U1700.

MIXED DOUBLES BONUS PRIZES: Best male-female 2-player combined score among all sections: $1000-600-400. Team average must be under 2200; teammates may be in different sections; must register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2; teammate pairings avoided but possible.

Top 6 sections entry fee: $108 online at chessaction.com 10/19-1/15, $120 phoned by 1/8 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), 4 day $114, 3 day $113, 2 day $112 if check mailed by 1/8, $140 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or online until 2 hours before first game. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize.

Under 1000 Section entry fee: All $50 less than top 6 sections entry fee.

All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Chess Magnet School Junior Grand Prix Points available.

USCF membership required. Special 1 year USCF dues with 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. Online entry $3 less to PSCF members. Re-entry (no Open to Open) $60.

4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 11 & 5, Mon 10 & 3:30.
3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 9 am, rds. Sat 10, 1:30 & 5, Sun 11 & 5, Mon 10 & 3:30.
2-day schedule (no Open Section): Reg ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 1:30, 3 & 5, Mon 10 & 3:30.
Half point byes: OK all, limit 3, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4.

Hotel Rates: $98-98-98-98, 1-800-SONESTA, 617-806-4653, request Continental Chess rate, reserve by Jan 3 or rate may increase.

Parking: Chess rate at Sonesta about $20/day (half of normal rate). Gateway Parking at 1540 Spring (or 1540 Vine), near Sheraton Hotel and 1/2 mile from Sonesta, about $5/day Saturday & Sunday, $5 Friday night, $18/day other days. 1818 Market Street, next to Sonesta Hotel, about $12/day Saturday & Sunday, $12 Friday night, $30/day other days. Patriot Parking, 1815 JFK Blvd, 1/8 mile from Sonesta, about $10/day Saturday & Sunday, $9 Friday night, $25/day other days.

Ratings:  January official USCF rating list used.  Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.  Foreign player rating info.

Prizewinner tax info

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

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

Entry: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US, www.chesstour.com, 347-201-2269. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).

SIDE EVENT: LIBERTY BELL OPEN BLITZ