March 16-18 or 17-18                                                                   Missouri
                                         Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
16th annual Mid-America Open. 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5), Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis MO 63105 (I-64 W/US 40-W Exit 32B, 1.2 miles north on Hanley Rd). $$ 18,000 in prizes based on 220 paid entries ($60 off entries & re-entries count half, U900 Section 1/4), minimum $12,000 (2/3 of each prize) guaranteed.

5 second delay will be used, but there will be no 5 minute deduction from clocks.

In 7 sections:  

Open Section: $2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $900, U2200 $800, U2100 $700. FIDE rated.

Under 2000 Section: $1400-700-400-200. 

Under 1800 Section: $1300-700-400-200.

Under 1600 Section: $1200-600-300-200.

Under 1400 Section: $1000-500-250-150.

Under 1200 Section: $1000-500-250-150.

Under 900 Section: $200-100, trophies to first 5, top Under 700, Under 500, Unrated.

Unrated may enter any section, with prize limits: U900 $100, U1200 $200, U1400 $400, U1600 $700, U1800 $900.

Rated player prize limits: If any post-event rating posted at uschess.org 12/15/11-3/15/12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $500.

Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.

Top 6 sections entry fee: 3-day $109, 2-day $108 if check mailed by 3/8, all $110 online at chesstour.com by 3/13, $115 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/13 (entry only, no questions), $130 at site.  

Under 900 Section entry fee: 3-day $29, 2-day $28 if check mailed by 3/8, all $30 online at chesstour.com by 3/13, $35 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/13 (entry only, no questions), $50 at site.

No checks at site, credit cards OK. No mailed credit card entries.

Entry fee for unrated in U1200 or U1400 Section: all $60 less than above.

Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section.  GMs free; $100 deducted from prize.

All: 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.  USCF membership required.  MCA membership ($5) required for MO residents.  

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

3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10 am, rds. Sat. 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun. 10 am & 4:15 pm.
Half point byes OK all; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.

Hotel rates: $89 single or twin, 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by March 2 or rate may increase.

ROOM SHARING, RIDE SHARING: See www.ccaforum.com.

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

Questions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com.