24th annual
WESTERN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 3-5 or 4-5, 2017 in Southern California
$18,000 PRIZE FUND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED

5 round Swiss at new site! Airtel Plaza Hotel, Van Nuys (Los Angeles)
March 3-5 or 4-5                                               Southern California
                US Chess Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
24th annual Western Class Championships. 5SS, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60, d10), Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Ave, Van Nuys CA 91406. Parking $8/day to midnight or $12/day including overnight. Free wireless, indoor pool, gym, hot tubs; restaurants within walking distance. Flyaway bus from LAX to Van Nuys $9 each way; free shuttle between hotel and bus terminal or train station.

PRIZES $18,000 GUARANTEED. In 7 sections.

Master Section (over 2199): $2000-1000-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top U2300 $600-300. 

Expert Section (2000-2199): $1200-600-400-200.

Class A Section (1800-1999/Unr): $1200-600-400-200.

Class B Section (1600-1799/Unr): $1200-600-400-200.

Class C Section (1400-1599/Unr): $1100-600-300-200.

Class D Section (1200-1399/Unr): $900-500-300-200.

Class E Section (Under 1200/Unr): $500-250-150-100. 

Rated players may play up one section. Unrated must play in Class A or below with maximum prize E $100, D $200, C $300, B $500, A $700.

Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.

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) by 2 pm 3/4; prize limits do not apply to mixed doubles.

March official USCF ratings used.  Foreign player rating info.  
Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.

Prizewinner tax info    CCA electronic devices policies

Top 6 sections entry fee: $115 online at chessaction.com by 3/1, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 2/27, 3-day $118, 2-day $117 if check mailed by 2/22, $130 online until 2 hours before round 1 or at site.  No checks at site; credit cards OK. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize. 

Class E Section entry fee: all $50 less than top 4 sections entry fee.

USCF membership required. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper 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. Re-entry (except Master) $60.  SCCF membership ($18, under 18 $13 with magazine, $3 without) required for rated Southern CA residents.

3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rounds begin Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:15 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rounds begin Sat 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:15 pm.
Both schedules: Half point byes OK all rds, limit 2, Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.

Hotel rates: $119-119, 818-997-7676, or use link at chesstour.com, reserve by 2/17 or rate may increase. Chess block could sell out before 2/17.  

HOTEL RESERVATIONS (scroll down after clicking link)

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

Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info, 347-201-2269, DirectorAtChess.US.

Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. US Chess Junior Grand Prix points available.

Entry: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted immediately).