2012 Pittsburgh Open chess tournament

March 23-25 or 24-25 Pennsylvania
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
13th annual Pittsburgh Open. 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5), Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree, 101 Radisson Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15205. Free parking, free airport shuttle. Prizes $12,000 based on 150 paid entries (re-entries and $50 off entries count half), $9,000 (75% of each prize) minimum guaranteed. In 5 sections.

       Open Section: $1500-800-400-200, clear/tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $700, Under 2200/Unr $600. FIDE rated.
       Under 2100 Section: $1000-500-300-200, top Under 1900 $400.
       Under 1800 Section: $1000-500-300-200, top Under 1600 $400, no unrated may win over $500.
       Under 1500 Section: $800-400-300-200, top Under 1300 $300, no unrated may win over $300.
       Under 1200 Section: $400-250-150-100, trophies to top Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated. No unrated may win over $150.

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

Top 4 sections entry fee: 3-day $103.50, 2-day $102.50 if check mailed by 3/15, all $107 online at chesstour.com by 3/20, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/20 (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 Under 1200 Section: All $50 less than above.

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

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

Hotel rates: $91-91-91-91, 1-800-395-7046, 412-922-8400; reserve by 3/9 or rate may increase.

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

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.