2014 Western Class Championships

March 7-9 or 8-9 Southern California
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
21st annual Western Class Championships. 5SS, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60, d10), Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking.

$20,000 PRIZE FUND based on 230 paid entries (re-entries, Class E count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80% each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections.

Master Section (over 2199): $1800-900-600-400, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE rated.

Expert Section (2000-2199): $1400-700-400-200.

Class A Section (1800-1999/Unr): $1400-700-400-200.

Class B Section (1600-1799/Unr): $1400-700-400-200.

Class C Section (1400-1599/Unr): $1200-600-300-200.

Class D Section (1200-1399/Unr): $1100-600-300-200.

Class E Section (Under 1200/Unr): $600-300-200-100, plaques to top Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated.

Rated players may play up one section. Unrated must play in Class A or below with maximum prize E $200, D $300, C $450, B $600, A $800.

Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.

Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player "team" combined score among all sections: $600-400-200. 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.

March official USCF ratings used. Foreign player rating info.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.

Prizewinner tax info

Top 6 sections entry fee: $115 online at chessaction.com by 3/5, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/5, 3-day $118, 2-day $117 if check mailed by 2/26, $130 online until 2 hours before game or at site. No mailed credit card entries. No checks at site; credit cards OK. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize.

Class E Section entry fee: all $50 less than above.

USCF membership required. 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. Re-entry (except Master) $60. SCCF membership ($18, under 18 $13 with magazine, $3 without) required for rated Southern CA residents.

3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rounds begin Fri 7 pm, Sat 11:15 am & 5 pm, Sun 11:15 am & 4:15 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10:15 am, rounds begin Sat 11:15 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sun 11:15 am & 4:15 pm.
Both schedules: Half point byes OK all rds, limit 2, Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.

Hotel rates: $95-95, 818-707-1220, reserve by 2/21 or rate may increase. CLICK HERE TO RESERVE A ROOM

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

Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info, 347-201-2269, DirectorAtChess.US.

Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. Chess Magnet School JGP available.

Entry: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted immediately).