54th annual Liberty Bell Open

An American Classic

US Chess Junior Grand Prix

A Heritage Event

JAN 14-17, 15-17 OR 16-17, PENNSYLVANIA

US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 100 (ENHANCED)

54th annual Liberty Bell Open

7SS, 40/80, SD/30 +30 (3 day option, rds 1-2 G/60 d10, 2-day option in U2100 & below, rds 1-4 G/30 d10). Sonesta Hotel, 1800 Market St, Philadelphia 19103. Prizes $20,000 based on 320 paid entries (re-entries, GMs/IMs & U1200 section count 70%), else proportional, except min. 75% each prize guaranteed. Since 2006, this tournament has been held 15 times, with $20,000 prizes based on 320 paid entries, and 14 of these has drawn over 320, causing prizes to be raised in proportion to over the $20,000 projection. 6 sections.  Major (1900/up): $2000-1200-600-400-300, clear/tiebreak 1st $100 bonus, top U2300 $1000-500.  FIDE.  Under 2100: $1200-600-400-300-200. FIDE.  Under 1900:  $1200-600-400-300-200. Under 1700:  $1000-500-400-300-200.  Under 1500:  $1000-500-400-300-200.  Under 1200:  $700-400-300-200-100.  Prize limits: 1) Unrated may not win over $100 in U1200,  $200 U1500, $300 U1700 or $400 U1900. 2) If Online Regular official rating is more than 50 points over section or prize maximum, limit $300.  Mixed doubles: best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $1000-600-400.  Must average under 2200; may play different sections; register (no extra fee) before both begin round 2. Top 5 sections EF: $113 online at chessaction.com by 1/12,  4-day $119, 3-day $118, 2-day $117 if check mailed by 1/3, $130 (no check, credit card OK) at site, or online to 1 hour before rd 1. GMs/IMs $90 from prize. U1200 Section EF: All $30 less than top 5 sections. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine paid with entry: At chessaction.com, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Youth $18. Mailed or at site, $45, $27 & $20. Re-entry (no Major to Major) $60. 4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat/Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 11 am, rds. Sat 12, 3 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30. 2-day schedule (no Major): Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, rds Sun 10-12-2-3:45-6, Mon 10-3:30. Byes: all, limit 2, must commit before rd 3. Unofficial or Regular Online ratings usually used if otherwise unrated, or to qualify for Major (see peakrating.us). Foreign player ratings: see foreignratings.com. Prizes not claimed at site sent by PayPal (may take a few weeks). HR: $112-112, 1-800-SONESTA, 215-561-7500, request Continental Chess rate, reserve by 12/31 or may increase. Parking: Chess rate at Sonesta approx. $24/day (half normal rate). 1540 Spring St, 12 minutes walk, about $9/day Sat & Sun, $25 other days.  Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633 or chesstour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: Click here to show email address,  www.chesstour.com, www.chesstour.info. $15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com (click “entry list” after entry).  Blitz tournament Sun. 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.