March 14-16 or 15-16                                                                   Missouri
                                    Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
18th annual Mid-America Open. 5SS, 40/110, SD/30, d10 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10). 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). $$ 20,000 in prizes based on 250 paid entries (re-entries & U1000 Section count half), minimum $16,000 (80% of each prize) guaranteed.

In 7 sections:  

Open Section: $2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $800-400. FIDE rated (USCF rules used).

Under 2100 Section: $1400-700-400-200. 

Under 1900 Section: $1400-700-400-200.

Under 1700 Section: $1300-700-400-200.

Under 1500 Section: $1200-600-300-200.

Under 1300 Section: $1000-500-300-200.

Under 1000 Section: $400-300-200-100, plaques to first 3, top Under 800, Under 600, Unrated.

Unrated may enter any section, with prize limits: U1000 $200, U1300 $400, U1500 $600, U1700 $800.

Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: best male/female combined 2-player “team” score: $700-400-300-200. Team average must be under 2200; teammates may play in different sections; teams must register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2; teammate pairings avoided but possible.

Top 6 sections entry fee: $109 online at chessaction.com by 3/12, $115 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/10 (entry only, no questions), 3-day $113.50, 2-day $112.50 if check mailed by 3/5, $130 online until 2 hours before game or at site.  

Under 1000 Section entry fees: all $60 less than above.

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 chessaction.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.  USCF membership required.    

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     Prizewinner tax info

3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:30 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10 am, rds. Sat. 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sun. 10 am & 3:30 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 7 or rate may increase, rooms may sell out earlier.

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