Midwest Class Championships, October 15-17

Straight from our email inbox, ugly colors and all!

19th annual
MIDWEST CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
October 15-17 or 16-17, 2010 - Wheeling, IL (Chicago area)
$20,000 PROJECTED PRIZES, $16,000 MINIMUM GUARANTEED!

PLUS CLASS E SECTION TROPHIES TO TOP 7, 1ST 800-999, 600-799, UNDER 600, UNRATED! 

Top 6 sections: 5 rounds, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). 
Class E Section: 5 rounds, G/75, Oct 16-17 only, separate schedule with early finish Sunday.  At Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090. Free parking.  From Chicago, I-294 north to Milwaukee Ave; from Milwaukee, I-294 south to Lake Cook Road. 
In 7 sections; no unrated allowed in Master or Expert.

Master Section (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear or tiebreak win $100, top U2300 $800-400.  FIDE rated, 100 Grand Prix Points (enhanced). 
Expert Section (2000-2199): $1500-700-400-300.
Class A Section (1800-1999/Unr): $1500-700-400-300.
Class B Section (1600-1799/Unr): $1500-700-400-300.
Class C Section (1400-1599/Unr): $1400-700-400-200.
Class D Section (1200-1399/Unr): $1200-600-300-200.
Class E Section (Under 1200/Unr): $600-300-200-100.  Trophies to top 7, first 800-999, 600-799, Under 600, Unrated.
Rated players may play up one section.
Unrated prize limit: E $150, D $250, C $400, B $500, A $700. 
Top 6 sections entry fee: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 10/7, all $105 online at chesstour.com by 10/12, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/12 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK.  Re-entry $60; not available in Master Section. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. 
Entry fee for Class E, and unrated in Class D: $52 mailed by 10/7, $55 online at chesstour.com by 10/12, $60 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/12 (entry only, no questions), $70 at site. 
ICA membership ($15, scholastic $10) required for rated Illinois residents.  Join ICA online at chesstour.com together with your advance entry and save $2!

Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry.  Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.  USCF membership required.
3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.
2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.
Class E schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 1:15 pm.  Half point byes OK all rounds, Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. 
Hotel rates: $98-98-98-98, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 10/1 or rate may increase.
Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com.  $15 service charge for refunds.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use D657633, or reserve car online at chesstour.com.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied.
Ratings:  October official USCF rating list used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.   Foreign player rating info.
Entry: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577.  Chess Magnet School Junior Grand Prix points available.