2008 North American Open Chess

An American Classic
December 26-29 or 27-29, Nevada
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)

18th annual North American Open. 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-4 G/75), Bally's Casino Resort, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89103. $$ 150,000 based on 750 paid entries (seniors count as 3/4 entries, re-entries & GMs as half entries, U1000/Unr Section rated players as 1/5, unrateds in U1000 not counted), else in proportion; $100,000 minimum (2/3 each prize) guaranteed. Unrated must enter U1000/Unr or Open Section.

NOTE CORRECTION!
No player with under 26 games may win over $1500 in the Under 1300 Section.
There is no Under 1200 Section, so no U1200 prize limit.

Open Section: Open to all, but EF is $200 more if Under 1900 or unrated. $12000-6000-3500-2500-1400-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak bonus $200, 2300-2499 $3000-1500, U2300/Unr $3000-1500. FIDE rated.

Under 1000/Unr Section: $400-200-120-80, trophies to top 10, no unrated may win over $100.

Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 12/08 list may not win over $1500 U1300 (not U1200, there is no U1200 Section), $2500 U1500 through U2100. Games rated too late for 12/08 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 pts over section maximum on any list 12/07-11/08, prize limit $1500. 3) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.

Mailed entry fee: 4-day $244, 3-day $243 mailed by 10/15, 4-day $274, 3-day $273 mailed by 12/12.

ONLINE entry fee: $245 at chesstour.com by 10/15, $275 by 12/19, $300 12/20 until two hours before round 1.

Phoned entry fee: $250 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/15 (no questions), $280 by 12/19. No phone entry after 12/19.

Open Section entry fee surcharge: Open Section EF $200 more if under 1900 or unrated; 90% of surcharges added to prize fund.

Special entry fee: Seniors over 65 in Under 1300 or above, $70 less. Re-entry $120; not available in Open Section. GMs $150 from prize.

Under 1000/Unr Section entry fee: 4-day $44, 3-day $43 if mailed by 12/12, $45 ONLINE at chesstour.com by 12/19, $50 phoned by 12/19 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $60 at site. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in U1000/Unr Section.

All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, unrated $20, rated $30. If mailed, phoned or paid at site, unrated $30, rated $40. Cost of reduced dues borne by Continental Chess.

4-day schedule reg. ends 12/26 5 pm, rds 12/26 6 pm, 12/27 10 & 5, 12/28 10 & 5, 12/29 10 & 4:30.
3-day schedule reg. ends 12/27 4 pm, rds 12/27 5-8:30, 12/28 10-1:30-5, 12/29 10-4:30.
Half point byes (note change): OK all rounds, limit 2, must commit before rd 3 and have under 2 pts.

Hotel rates: $96-96, 800-833-3308, 702-739-4111, rate may increase if not reserved by 11/22, all rooms in chess block may sell out about 11/1. Free parking (garage at adjacent Paris Las Vegas Hotel is most convenient).

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

Ratings: December official USCF rating list used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games are usually used if otherwise unrated. Unofficial ratings are not used if you have an official rating. Foreign player rating info.

Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games are usually used if otherwise unrated.
Unofficial ratings are not used if you have an official rating.

Special rules: In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or more and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, or cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission, and must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director.

Entry: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

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Dec 29. Las Vegas USCF Booster Quads. 3RR, G/30, Ballys (see North American Open). EF: $20. 1st prize each section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 4 year USCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 10 am-12 noon, Rds: 12:30-1:30-2:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.

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Dec. 29 Nevada
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
North American Blitz. $2,800 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND! NOTE CORRECTION- UNDER 2000 PRIZES WERE OMITTED IN TOURNAMENT LIFE. 5-SS, G/5 (double round,10 games), Bally's Las Vegas (see North American Open). $$G 2500. In 2 sections: Open: $400-200-150, top U2400/Unr $240-120, U2200 $220-110, U2000 $200-100. Under 1800: $300-150-100, top U1600 $180-100, U1400 $150, U1200 $80, no unrated may win over $150. EF: $40, no checks, enter at site only. Quick-rated, but higher of regular or quick USCF rating used for pairings, prizes. Reg. ends 10:15 pm, rds. 10:45-11:30-12-12:30-1. Bye: 1.