32nd annual

An American Classic
A US Championship Qualifier

32nd annual World Open. 9SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-5 G/45), Adam's Mark Hotel, City Line Ave (Rt 1 at I-76 City Ave exit), Philadelphia PA 19131.  World's biggest open tournament- $180,000 guaranteed prize fund.

Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik; free lectures by other GMs 7/2 10 am, 7/3 10 am, 7/4 9 am.  Unrateds must enter Open or Unrated sections. In 8 sections.

Open Section: $14000-7000-3500-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-400, 11th-20th each $300, clear winner bonus $500, 2300-2449/unr $3000-1500, U2300 $3000-1500. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 7/5 11:30 pm (white 7 minutes, black 5 minutes & gets draw odds) for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible in all schedules except 3-day. FIDE rated. Top 4 eligible players and top 2 eligible women not already qualified qualify for 2004 US Championship; optional qualifier fee $75.

Under 2200 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, 11th-20th each $300. 

Under 2000 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, 11th-20th each $300. 

Under 1800 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, 11th-20th each $300.  

Under 1600 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, 11th-20th each $300.  

Under 1400 Section: $ 6000-3000-2000-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, 11th-20th each $300.  

Under 1200 Section: $4000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400-400, 11th-20th each $300, top Under 1000 $1400-700. Under 1000s play for both U1000 & U1200 prizes; receive larger if winning both. If 1400/over established on any list after 12/99, prize limit in U1200 Secton is $500. 

Unrated Section: $1000-700-500-400-300-200-200-100-100-100; players without US Social Security ID may not win over $400.

Prize limits: If 6/04 list rating based on under 10 games, limit $2000 in U1200, $3000 in U1400 through U2200. If 6/04 list rating based on 11-25 games, limit $5000 in U1400 through U2200. Games rated too late for 6/04 list not counted. Balance of prize goes to next player(s) in line.

ICC membership prizes:  1 year Internet Chess Club membership to top Under 2300, Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700, Under 1500, Under 1300, Under 1100, 800-899, 700-799, Under 700.  All sections eligible- if players in different sections tie, the one in the highest section is the winner.

Entry fee, if mailed by 2/16: 7-day $227, 5-day $225, 3-day $223, 2-weekend $222. Mailed by 5/14: 7-day $247, 5-day $245, 3-day $243, 2-weekend $242. Mailed by 6/18: 7-day $257, 5-day $255, 3-day $253, 2-weekend $252. At site: All $280; no checks, credit cards OK.

Online entry at chesstour.com: EF $221 by 2/19, $241 by 5/14, $251 by 6/23, $280 after 6/23 until 2 hours before rd 1.  The online deadline for the $221 fee has been changed from 2/16 to 2/19 because online entry is not working 2/12 to 2/16.

Phone entry at 406-896-2038: $230 by 2/16, $250 by 5/14, $260 by 6/23 (entry only, no questions). No phone entries after 6/23.

GMs free; $200 EF deducted from prize. WGMs $150; $50 EF deducted from prize.

Unrated Section (5-day or 3-day only): EF: 5-day $45, 3-day $43 if mailed by 6/18, all $42 online at chesstour.com by 6/23, $50 by phone at 406-896-2038 by 6/23 (entry only, no questions), $60 at site.

EF discounts: $30 less to rated juniors under 18 & rated seniors over 65. Advance EF $10 less if paid with $49 adult USCF dues.  Renew early and save!  USCF membership required.  Re-entry: $120, any section but Open, any schedule, byes OK, no discounts.

$20 fee for switching section or schedule after 6/30. 

Schedule options:

5-day schedule: 7/1 7 pm, 7/2-3 12 & 7, 7/4 11 & 6, 7/5 10 & 5.
7-day schedule: 6/29-7/3 7 pm, 7/4 11 & 6, 7/5 10 & 5.
3-day schedule: 7/3 12, 2:30, 4:30, 7, 9:30, 7/4 11 & 6; 7/5 10 & 5.
2-weekend schedule: 6/26 12 & 6:30; 6/27 10 & 4:30; 7/3 7 pm, 7/4 11 & 6, 7/5 10 & 5.

All schedules merge & compete for same prizes.

1/2-pt byes OK all, limit 4. Rds 5-9 byes: limit 2; must commit before rd 4.

All: Entries, re-entries close 90 minutes before your first game. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied.

Hotel rates: $87-87-87-87 at Adam's Mark, 215-581-5000, & Holiday Inn next door, 215-477-0200. Adams Mark usually sells out in late May; reserve by 6/12 at Holiday Inn or rates increase to $97/rm.

Special airfares- save 5% to 10%- reserve at least 60 days in advance for lowest fare!
American Airlines: 1-800-433-1790, Auth. # A9364AG.
Delta Air Lines: 1-800-241-6760, File # 201118A.
US Airways: 1-877-874-7687, Gold File # 55662940.

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

Foreign player ratings: 100 pts added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200 or more to most foreign, no pts added to CFC. Highest of multiple ratings used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled.

US player ratings: June list used (usually same as July label); FIDE ratings not used.

Entries: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. Invitation requests: go@chess.us. You may request "lowest possible section" if June rating unknown. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com 6/25.