March 15-17 or 16-17                                                                   Missouri
                                    Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
17th annual Mid-America Open. 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d5). Under 1200 Sections play March 16-17 only, G/100, d5. 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). $$ 16,000 in prizes based on 200 paid entries (re-entries & U1200 Section count half), minimum $12,000 (75% of each prize) guaranteed.

In 7 sections:  

Open Section: $2000-1000-600-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2200 $900-500. 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.

Adult Under 1200 Section (born 1994/before): $300-150-100, trophies to first 3, top Under 1000, Unrated.

Junior Under 1200 Section (born 1995/after): $300-150-100, trophies to first 3, top Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated.

Unrated may enter any section, with prize limits: U1200 $150, U1400 $350, U1600 $600, U1800 $800.

Top 6 sections entry fee: $107 online at chessaction.com by 3/13, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/13 (entry only, no questions), 3-day $113.50, 2-day $112.50 if check mailed by 3/6, $130 online until 2 hours before game or at site.  

Under 1200 Section entry fees: $47 online at chessaction.com by 3/13, $50 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/13 (entry only, no questions), Adult $53, Junior $52 if check mailed by 3/6, $60 online until 8 am 3/16 or at site.

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

Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section.  GMs free; $90 deducted from prize.

Online entry fee $3 less to MCA members.

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 & 4:30 pm.
2-day schedule Under 1400 & up schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10 am, rds. Sat. 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun. 10 am & 4:30 pm.
Under 1200 sections schedules: Reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds Sat 10 am, 2 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 2 pm.
Half point byes OK all, limit 2; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.

Hotel rates: $93-96, includes free full hot buffet breakfast and free parking, 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by March 8 or rate may increase.

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