26th annual Mid-America Open

26th annual Mid-America Open. 5SS, 40/80, SD/30, +30 (2-day option in all, rds 1-2 G/60 d10). Clayton Plaza Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis MO 63105 (I-64 W/US 40-W Exit 32B, 1.2 miles north on Hanley Rd). Free parking. Masks required if unvaccinated. Certification of Covid vaccination or negative Covid test within 72 hours of tournament required (certify by entering at chessaction.com).$$ 20,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES.  6 sections: Major: open 1900/over. $2000-1000-600-400, clear win or tiebreak 1st $100 bonus, top USCF U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1500-700-500-300. FIDE. Under 1900: $1500-700-500-300. Under 1700: $1400-700-500-300. Under 1500: $1200-600-400-300. Under 1200: $900-500-300-200. Prize limits: 1) Unrated limit $150 in U1200, $300 U1500, $500 U1700. 2) If Online Regular rating is more than 50 points over section or prize maximum, prize limit $300. Mixed doubles: best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $800-400-200. Must average under 2200, may play different sections, register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 3/26. Top 5 sections EF: $113 at chessaction.com by 3/23, 3-day $118, 2-day $117 mailed by 3/14, $130 online at least 2 hours before Round 1 or at site until 1 hour before game. GMs $100 from prize.  U1200 Section EF: all $20 less than above.  Online EF $3 less to MCA members. No checks at site, credit cards OK.  Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated, or to qualify for Major (see www.peakrating.us). Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine paid with entry: see chessaction.com. Re-entry (no Major to Major) $60. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:30. Byes: OK all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. Prizes not claimed at site sent by PayPal (may take a few weeks). HR: $120-123-128-133, includes free full hot buffet breakfast. 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by 3/11 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803. Questions: Director@Chess.US, chesstour.com, chesstour.info. $15 service charge for refunds.  Entries posted at chessaction.com (click “entry list” after entry). Blitz tournament Saturday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.