21st annual
MIDWEST CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS

October 12-14 or 13-14, 2012 - Wheeling, IL (Chicago area)

$20,000 PROJECTED PRIZES, $16,000 MINIMUM GUARANTEED!

PLUS CLASS E SECTION TROPHIES TO TOP 7, 1ST 800-999, 600-799, UNDER 600, UNRATED! 

5 rounds, 40/2, SD/1, d5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d5).  At Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090. Free parking.  From Chicago, I-294 north to Milwaukee Ave; from Milwaukee, I-294 south to Lake Cook Road. 

Prizes $20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries & Class E Section count as half entries), else in proportion, except $16,000 (80% of each prize) minimum guaranteed. 

In 7 sections; no unrated allowed in Master or Expert. 

Master Section (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear or tiebreak win $100, top U2300 $800-400.  FIDE rated, 100 Grand Prix Points (enhanced). 

Expert Section (2000-2199): $1500-700-400-300.

Class A Section (1800-1999/Unr): $1500-700-400-300.

Class B Section (1600-1799/Unr): $1500-700-400-300.

Class C Section (1400-1599/Unr): $1400-700-400-200.

Class D Section (1200-1399/Unr): $1200-600-300-200.

Class E Section (Under 1200/Unr): $600-300-200-100.  Trophies to top 7, first 800-999, 600-799, Under 600, Unrated.

Rated players may play up one section.
Unrated prize limit: E $150, D $250, C $400, B $500, A $700. 

Top 6 sections entry fee: 3-day $108, 2-day $107 mailed by 10/3, all $106 online at chesstour.com by 10/9, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/9 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site, or online until 2 hours before first game. No checks at site, credit cards OK.  Re-entry $50; not available in Master Section. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. 

Class E Section entry: $52 mailed by 10/6, $55 online at chesstour.com by 10/9, $60 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/9 (entry only, no questions), $70 at site. 

Advance entry fee is $5 less to ICA members (join/renew at www.il-chess.org).   

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.  USCF membership required.

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: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:30 pm.
 
Half point byes OK all rounds, Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. 

Hotel rates: $103-103-103-103, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 9/28 or rate may increase.
Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com.  $15 service charge for refunds.

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

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

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

Entry: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577.  Chess Magnet School Junior Grand Prix points available.