An American Classic!
A Heritage Event!
US Chess Junior Grand Prix!

45th annual WORLD OPEN

June 29-July 4, June 30-July 4, July 1-4 or 2-4, 2017  

$225,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES

US Chess Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)

9 rounds at luxurious Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19107 (directly across the street from the world famous Reading Terminal Market with over 80 food vendors).

SEE BELOW FOR UPDATED HOTEL ROOM INFO

       UPDATED PARKING INFO

Free shuttle back to your car at night, 6/30-7/4, if you park at Gateway Garage!
    

In 9 sections. Unrated may enter only Open, U2200, U2000, or Unrated Sections.

Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik 6/30-7/4.

Free GM lectures!
     June 30, 4:00-5:30 pm: Alex Lenderman, 2015 World Open Champion, coach of world champion US Olympiad team, twice winner of USCF Grand Prix.
     July 2, 9:00-10:30 am: Samuel Sevian, youngest GM in US history, winner of three straight internationals held by Continental Chess this year (Southwest Class, Philadelphia Open, Chicago Open).
     July 3, 9:00-10:30 am: Pavel Blatny of Czech Republic, clear winner of 1995 New York Open, tied for first in 2 National Opens and 3 American Opens. 

Open Section, June 30-July 4 only: 40/2, SD/30 d10.

Under 2200 to Under 1200 Sections, June 29-July 4, June 30-July 4, July 1-4 or 2-4: 40/2, SD/30 d10 (4-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10; 3-day option, rds. 1-5 G/35 d10). Unrated not allowed in U1200, U1400, U1600 or U1800.

Under 900 Section & Unrated Section, July 2-4 only: G/60 d10, plays separate schedule.

Open Section: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1300-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner bonus $500, top FIDE 2300-2449 $5000-2500-1500, top FIDE 2200-2299 $5000-2500-1500, top FIDE Under 2200/Unr $5000-2500-1500. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 10 pm 7/4 for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible. FIDE rated.

Under 2200/Unr Section: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, top U2100 (no unr) $2000-1000, unrated limit $2000.

Under 2000/Unr Section: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, top U1900 (no unr) $2000-1000, unrated limit $1000.

Under 1800 Section: $12000-6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400, top U1700 $2000-1000.

Under 1600 Section: $10000-5000-2500-1300-900-700-600-500-400-400, top U1500 $2000-1000.

Under 1400 Section: $8000-4000-2000-1300-900-700-600-500-400-400, top U1300 $1600-800.

Under 1200 Section: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300, top U1000 $1000-500.

Under 900 Section: $600-400-300-200-100, plaques to top 10.

Unrated Section: $600-400-300-200-100, plaques to top 10.

Prize limits: 1) If any post-event rating posted 6/26/16-6/26/17 was more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $2000. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated as of 7/17 official list cannot win over $1000 in U1200, $2000 U1400, $3000 U1600 through U2000. Games rated too late for 7/17 official list not counted toward 26 game total. 3) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.

Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: best male/female combined 2-player “team” score: $3000-1500-700-500-300. 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; teams including an unrated limited to $500.

Entry fee for Open through U1400 sections: Online at chessaction.com: $308 by 4/15, $318 by 5/15, $328 by 6/26, $350 until 2 hours before round 1. Phoned to 406-896-2038: $325 by 5/15, $335 by 6/22. Mailed by 5/15: 6-day $326, 5-day $325, 4-day $324, 3-day $323. Mailed by 6/12: all $10 more. Do not mail entry after 6/12. At site until 1 1/2 hours before first game: all $350; no checks, credit cards OK.

GMs in Open: free; $200 deducted from prize.
IMs & WGMs in Open: Entry fee $100 less.
Open Section entry fee $100 more if never rated 2200 or over by USCF or FIDE.

Under 1200 Section entry fee: all $100 less than above.

Seniors 65/up: all entry fees $100 less in U1400 or above sections.

Under 900 Section or Unrated Section entry fee: $68 online at chessaction.com by 6/26, $73 mailed by 6/12 or phoned by 6/22, $80 at site until 1.5 hour before round 1 or online until 2 hours before round 1.

No checks at site; credit cards OK. No mailed credit card entries.

Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open.

$20 fee for switching section after 6/28.

Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17.

       5-day schedule (Open to U1200): Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 11 am & 6 pm, Tue 10 am & 4:30 pm. Open Section plays 5-day only.

         6-day schedule (U2200 to U1200): Thu 7 pm, Fri 7 pm, merges with 5-day Sat 6pm.
       4-day schedule (U2200 to U1200): Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, merges with 5-day Sun 11 am.
       3-day schedule (U2200 to U1200): Sun 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, merges with 5-day Mon 11 am.
       Under 900 Section schedule, Unrated Section schedule: Sun 11, 2:30 & 6, Mon 11, 2:30 & 6, Tue 10, 1:30 & 4:30.
       All schedules merge & compete for same prizes.
       Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd. 2, others before rd 5.
       Entries, re-entries close 1 1/2 hours before round 1.

       Hotel rates:
Marriott: $115-115-135, 215-625-2900, however, the chess rate is apparently no longer available. Backup hotel was the Sonesta, 3/5 mile away at 1800 Market Street, chess rate $125, however this is also apparently no longer available.

Loews Philadelphia, a highly rated hotel directly across the street from the Marriott, has a special sale (not a chess rate) for $127 (nonrefundable), which looks like it will expire in a day or two.  At the hotel website only single rooms are mentioned at this rate, but hotels.com and expedia.com offer this rate for two beds.  These travel websites also have Philadelphia Marriott rooms at $149.                                                                                   

      Room or travel sharing: Post a request to share on the USCF "All Things Chess" Forum.  If you have difficulty posting, email your request to Continental Chess and we will post it for you.

      Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. 
      
       Ratings: FIDE June used for Open, USCF July official for U2200 & below; note that USCF ratings after the July list (see above) may result in a $2000 prize limit. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
      Foreign player ratings (revised 2/8/16): see www.chesstour.com/foreignratings.htm.  
   
    Cellphone & anti-cheating rules: see www.chesstour.com/devices.htm. Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director.

Entry: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. 

Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info, DirectorAtChess.US. $15 service charge for refunds.

Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).

Awards: Open through U1800 prizes & all plaques awarded 7/4, others mailed by 7/18.

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

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