30th annual Mid-America Open

30th annual Mid-America Open. 5-SS, 40/80, SD/30; d30 (2-day option, rounds 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!  In 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. Unrated prize limits: $150 in U1200, $300 U1500, $500 U1700. Mixed Doubles: best male+female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $800-400-200. Team must average under 2200, may play different sections and schedules; register (no extra fee) by 2 pm Sat. Top 5 sections EF: $123 at chessaction.com by 3/17, $140 later online or at site until 1 hour before round 1. GMs $100 from prize. U1200 Section EF: all $20 less than above.  Online EF $3 less to MCA members (join/renew at mochess.org). No checks, credit cards OK.  March Official Ratings used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings or USCF Online Regular ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Cannot play below USCF Online Regular rating minus 100 points. Special 1-year USCF dues with magazine paid online with entry: Adult $54, Senior (age 65+) $48, Young Adult $33, Youth $24.  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, rounds Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:30. Byes: OK all, limit 2; must commit before round 2. HR: $124 King, $128 Plaza or Executive double queen, $134 (3 people), $139 (4 people), includes free full hot buffet breakfast. Reserve at chessevents.us (or 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate); reserve by 2/27 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Prizes not claimed at site are usually paid by PayPal (may take a couple of weeks). Enter online: Chessaction.com. Questions: [email protected], chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. No mail entries. Blitz tournament Saturday 9:30 pm, enter on site Sat. by 9:10 pm.