Washington Chess Congress (Columbus Day Weekend) Oct 8-13 Entries Open

Hello Chess Blog friends,

This is about an exciting chess event in the Washington area for which chess lovers plan much in advance!

WASHINGTON CHESS CONGRESS
October 8-13, 10-13, 11-13 or 12-13, 2014 - Columbus Day weekend

7 rounds- includes leisurely 6-day schedule option with only one 2-round day!
$40,000 projected prizes based on 280 paid entries
Chess Magnet School Junior Grand Prix
Oct 8-13, 10-13, 11-13 or 12-13, VIRGINIA
TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (enhanced)

Washington Chess Congress
7 round Swiss, 4-day option 40/110, SD/30, d10. 6-day option in U1700 & above, 40/110, SD/30, d10. 3-day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10, then merges with 4-day. 2-day option in U2100 & below, rds 1-4 G/30, d10, then merges with others. Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington VA 22202. Free shuttle to/from Reagan International Airport and Crystal City Metro station (contact hotel for schedule). Prizes $40,000 based on 280 paid entries (re-entries, U1300 Section unrateds count as half entries), 50% of each prize minimum guarantee. In 4 sections:

Premier: Open to 1900/over. $5000-2500-1200-800-500, clear or tiebreak first bonus $100, top Under 2300/Unr $2000-1000.
Under 2100: $4000-2000-1000-500-400, top Under 1900/Unr $2000-1000.
Under 1700: $3000-1500-800-500-400, top Under 1500 (no Unr) $1600-800.
Under 1300: $2000-1000-500-300-200, top Under 1100 (no Unr) $800-400.
Prize limits: Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $500 in U1300, $1000 in U1700, or $1500 in U2100.

Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player "team"combined score among all sections: $1000-600-400-200. Team average must be under 2200; teammates may play in different sections; teams must register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 10/11; teammate pairings avoided but possible.

Entry fee: $185 online at chessaction.com by 10/7, $190 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/6, 6-day $191, 4-day $189, 3-day $188, 2-day $187 if check mailed by 9/29, all $200 at site until 1 hour before game, or online at chessaction.com until 2 hours before game. Unrated in U1300 Section: all $100 less.

Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.

No checks at site, credit cards OK.
Re-entry: $80, no re-entry from Open Section to Open Section.

6-day schedule: Reg. ends Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed 7 pm, Thu 7 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 6 pm, Mon 10 & 3:30.
4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm. Sat 12 & 6, 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: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2, 4 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:30.
Half point byes: OK all; limit 3 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit before rd 3.

Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied.

Hotel rates: $97-97-107-117, 703-418-1234, reserve by 9/24 or rate may increase.
Special chess rate valet parking $6/day, with or without guest room.
Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com.

SIDE EVENTS: Game/10 Saturday, Blitz Sunday. Details to be announced.

Entry: Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).

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