2011 Pittsburgh Open chess tournament

March 25-27 or 26-27 Pennsylvania
ChessLecture.com Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
12th Pittsburgh Open. 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option rds 1-2 G/80, U1200 Section is all G/80), Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree, 101 Radisson Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15205. Free parking, free airport shuttle. Prizes $16,000 based on 200 paid entries (re-entries and $60 off entries count half), $12,000 (75% of each prize) minimum guaranteed. In 5 sections. NOTE: The Under 1200 Section has different schedules than the top 4 sections, but the same entry fee for rated players.

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

       Open Section: $2000-1000-500-300, clear/tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $800, Under 2200/Unr $700. FIDE rated.
       Under 2100 Section: $1200-700-400-200, top Under 1900 $500.
       Under 1800 Section: $1200-700-400-200, top Under 1600 $500, no unrated may win over $500.
       Under 1500 Section: $1100-600-300-200, top Under 1300 $400, no unrated may win over $300.
       Under 1200 Section: $1000-500-300-200, trophies to top Under 1000, Under 800, Unrated. No unrated may win over $150.

       If unrated prize is limited, balance goes to next player(s) in line.

Entry fee: 3-day $103.50, 2-day $102.50 if check mailed by 3/17, all $107 online at chesstour.com by 3/22, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/22 (entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. No credit card mailed entries accepted. GMs free; $100 deducted from prize.

Entry fee for unrated in Under 1200 or Under 1500: All $60 less.

All sections: 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. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section.

3-day schedule (top 4 sections): Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rounds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.
2-day schedule (top 4 sections): Reg ends Sat 10 am, rounds Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.

Under 1200 schedules: Round 1, 3-day Fri 7 pm or 2-day Sat 11 am.
Other rounds Sat. 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun. 10 am & 1 pm.

All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.

Hotel rates: $89-89-89-89, 1-800-333-3333, 407-351-2420; reserve by 3/18 or rate may increase.
Room sharing: If you want to share a room to save money, post this on the new CCA FORUM.

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

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

Ratings: MARCH official USCF rating list used. Foreign player rating info.

Entry: Continental Chess Association, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. No smoking. Questions: www.chesstour.com, www.chesstour.info, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School Junior Grand Prix Points available.