27th annual Mid-America Open

March 24-26 or 25-26                                                                Missouri
US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)
27th annual Mid-America Open. 5SS, 40/80, SD/30, d30 (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.  $$ 20,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES.  6 sections: Major: open to 1900/over (see peakrating.us). $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 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 Sat. Top 5 sections EF: $113 at chessaction.com by 3/22, $130 online or at site until 1 hour before rd 1. 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. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with online entry: Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Youth $18. 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. HR: $120-123-128-133, includes free full hot buffet breakfast. Reserve at chessevents.us or 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by 3/10 or rate may increase. Prizes usually paid by PayPal (may take over a week). Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Chessaction.com. 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 9:10 pm.