2010 Western Class Championships

March 12-14 or 13-14 Southern California
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
17th annual Western Class Championships. 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75; Under 900 Section is 6 rounds, G/75 playing March 13-14 only). Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking.

$20,000 PRIZE FUND based on 230 paid entries (re-entries, Under 900 count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80% each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections.

Master Section (over 2199): $2000-1000-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE rated.

Expert Section (2000-2199): $1400-700-400-200.

Class A Section (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-200.

Class B Section (1600-1799): $1400-700-400-200.

Class C Section (1400-1599): $1200-600-300-200.

Class D Section (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-150.

Class E Section (1000-1199): $1000-500-300-150.

Under 900 Section: $300-150-100-50.

Rated players may play up one section. Unrated must play in Class A or below with maximum prize A $600, B $500, C $400, D $300, E $200, U900 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line.

Top 7 sections entry fee: 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 3/4, all $115 ONLINE at chesstour.com by 3/9, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/9 (entry only, no questions), $130 at site. There is no 4-day schedule this year and any references to it are in error.

Entry fee is $60 less to all in Under 900 Section and Unrateds in A through E.

March official USCF ratings used. 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 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry (except Master) $60. SCCF memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated Southern CA residents.

3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rounds begin Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rounds begin Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.
Under 900 schedule: Reg Sat to 9:30 am, rounds begin 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm each day.
All schedules: Half point byes OK all rds, limit 2, Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.

Hotel rates: $87-87, 818-707-1220, reserve by March 3 or rate may increase.

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

Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658, chesstour at aol.com.

Entry: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.