$100,000 PRIZE FUND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!

An American Classic
A US Championship Qualifier (see below)

May 23-26, 24-26 or 25-26             GPP: 150             Illinois
12th annual Chicago Open. $100,000 guaranteed prizes! 7-round Swiss, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/45), Hyatt Regency Oak Brook, 1909 Spring Rd (near I-88 Cermak Rd exit), Oak Brook 60521. Free parking. Free analysis of your games by IM John Donaldson. Unrated must enter Open or Unr Sections. 8 sections:

Open Section: Guaranteed prizes $10000-5000-2500-1200- 800-600- 500-500-400-400, clear winner bonus $300, Under 2400/Unr $2000- 1000-700-500. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 5/26 10:30 pm (white 6 minutes, black 5 minutes & gets draw odds) for title & bonus prize. A US Championship qualifier (details later).

Under 2200 Section: $6000-3000-1500-800-600-500-400-400-300-300.

Under 2000 Section: $6000-3000-1500-800-600-500-400-400-300-300.

Under 1800 Section: $6000-3000-1500-800-600-500-400-400-300-300.

Under 1600 Section: $5000-2500-1500-800-600-500-400-400-300-300.

Under 1400 Section: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300.

Under 1200 Section: $2000-1000-700-500-400-400-300-300-300-300, top Under 1000 $800-400. Players under 1000 compete for both Under 1000 & Under 1200 prizes, and receive larger if winning both. Players who were rated 1400 or over on any list after 12/98 have a $500 prize limit in the Under 1200 Section.

Unrated Section: $1000-600-300-200-100; players without US Social Security ID may not win over $500.

Prize limits for players with under 10 games played as of 4/03 list: Under 1200 $1000, Under 1400 through Under 2200 $2000. Games rated too late for the 4/03 list are not counted. Balance of prize, if any, goes to next player(s) in line.

Mailed entry fee: 4-day $199, 3-day $198, 2-day $197 if mailed by 3/14; 4-day $219, 3-day $218, 2-day $217 mailed by 5/13; all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK.

ONLINE entry fee at chesstour.com: $195 by 3/14, $215 by 5/20, $250 after 5/20 until 2 hours before rd 1.

Phoned entry at 845-496-9658: $205 by 3/14, $225 by 5/20. No phone entry after 5/20.

ICA membership ($18, under 19 $10) required for Illinois residents.

Special entry fee: $30 less to rated juniors under 18 or rated seniors over 65. Re-entry (except Open Section) $100. GMs free; $180 deducted from prize.

Unrated Section entry fee: 4-day $49, 3-day $48, 2-day $47 mailed by 5/14; all $45 online at chesstour.com by 5/20, $50 by phone by 5/20, $60 at site.

Backup number for phone entries: 406-896-2038 (entries only, no questions, no dropouts, no switches).

Half point byes: all, limit 2; rds 5-7 byes must commit before rd 4.

Hotel rates: $83 for 1-4/room, 800-233-1234, 630-573-1234. Reserve by May 4 or rate may increase.

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

Foreign player ratings: 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200 or more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC. Highest of multiple ratings used.

US player ratings: April list used (usually same as May Chess Life label).

Entries: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. 845-496-9658, www.chesstour. com. Invitation requests: go@chess.usnojunk (delete"nojunk"). You may request "lowest possible section" if April rating unknown.

Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied.

US CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS:  The 2004 US Championship is expected to be held in September.  There will be qualifying tournaments in both 2003 and 2004.  The 2003 qualifying events (Foxwoods Open, Chicago Open, National Open, World Open, US Open) will each have two qualifying spots.  The fee for those wishing to play for qualification has not yet been determined.

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