22nd annual Midwest Class Championships 

5 rounds, 40/110, SD/30, d10 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/90, d5), Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94 to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south). Free parking.

Prizes $20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries & Class E Section count as half entries), else in proportion except $16,000 (80% of each prize) minimum guaranteed. In 7 sections; no unrated allowed in Master or Expert.

Master (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear win or 1st on tiebreak $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE rated, but USCF rules used, not FIDE laws.

Expert (2000-2199): $1400-700-400-300. 
Class A (1800-1999/Unr): $1400-700-400-300. 
Class B (1600-1799/Unr): $1400-700-400-300. 
Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $1200-600-400-300.
Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $1000-500-300-200. 
Class E (Under 1200/Unr): $500-300-200-100, plaques to top 3, top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated. 

NEW Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player “team” combined score among all sections: $600-300. 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. 

Rated players may play up one section. 
Unrated prize limits: $200 E, $350 D, $500 C, $700 B, $900 A. 

Top 6 sections entry fee: $105 online at chessaction.com by 10/9, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/9 (entry only, no questions), 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 10/2, all $120 at site, or online until 2 hours before first game. 

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

All: No checks at site, credit cards OK.  Online or mailed EF $5 less to ICA members; join/renew at il-chess.org. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. 

 

Special 1 year USCF dues with 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 $50; not available in Master Section. GMs $90 from prize. 

 

3-day schedule:Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:30. 
2-day schedule:Reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds. Sat 10, 2 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:30. 
Bye: all, Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. 

 

Ratings:  August official USCF rating list used, but unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.  Foreign player rating info.

 

Hotel rates: $105-105-105-105, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 9/27 or rate may increase.

Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. 

 

Entry: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803 (chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269). $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).