48th annual

LIBERTY BELL OPEN

Jan 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18 (Martin Luther King weekend)
Sonesta Hotel, Philadelphia

A Heritage Event

Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, Pennsylvania

Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (Enhanced)

47th 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 U1250, rds 1-4 G/30, d10). 

FREE LECTURE BY IM JAY BONIN, MONDAY JANUARY 18th-- 9:00 AM!

At Sonesta Hotel, 1800 Market St, Philadelphia 19103.
Prizes $20,000 based on 320 paid entries (re-entries, GMs & U1250 Section count 70%), else in proportion, except minimum 75% of each prize guaranteed.

In 2006 to 2015, the tournament had over 320 paid entries each year and the $20,000 projected prize fund was increased in proportion.

In 6 sections:

Open: $2000-1000-600-400-300, 1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $800-400. .
Under 2100: $1200-600-400-300-200.
Under 1900: $1200-600-400-300-200.
Under 1700: $1200-600-400-300-200.
Under 1500: $1000-600-400-300-200.
Under 1250: $700-500-300-200-100.
Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $300 in U1250, $600 in 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 5 sections entry fee: $108 online at chessaction.com by 1/13, $120 phoned by 1/11 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), 4 day $114, 3 day $113, 2 day $112 if check mailed by 1/6, $130 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or online until 2 hours before first game. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize.

Under 1250 Section entry fee: All $30 less than top 5 sections entry fee.

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

USCF membership required. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com by 12/31, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Online after 12/31, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry (no Open to Open) $70.

4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30.
3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30.
2-day schedule (no Open Section): Reg ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30.
Half point byes: OK all, limit 3, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4.

Hotel Rates: $101-101-101-101, 1-800-SONESTA, 215-561-7500, request Continental Chess rate, reserve by Jan 1 or rate may increase.  As of Jan 10, the rate for Saturday night is $159 (over 55 or AAA $144), but the $101 chess rate is still available other nights. Online reservations will not allow the $101 rate for ANY NIGHT if you include Saturday, so reserve Saturday separately. This may require three separate reservations: Friday, Saturday, Sunday & after.

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE HOTEL ROOM

Parking: Chess rate at Sonesta about $20/day (half of normal rate). Much lower rates Fri night & all day Sat & Sun at 1818 Market, 1815 JFK Blvd, or 1540 Spring.  

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

Foreign player rating info      Prizewinner tax info      CCA electronic devices policies.

Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online 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).