39th annual CONTINENTAL OPEN

Aug 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 2009

Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
$30,000 PROJECTED PRIZE FUND, $24,000 MINIMUM!

39th annual Continental Open. 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/50), Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St (Rt 20 West), Sturbridge MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking. Experience early 19th century America at Old Sturbridge Village, see http://www.osv.org/. Prizes $30,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries & U1000 count half), minimum $24,000 (80% each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections.

Open Section: $3000-1500-700-400, clear or tiebreak win $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $1800-1000. FIDE rated, 150 Grand Prix Points (enhanced).

Under 2100 Section: $2000-1000-600-400.

Under 1900 Section: $2000-1000-600-400.

Under 1700 Section: $2000-1000-600-400.

Under 1500 Section: $2000-1000-600-400.

Under 1300 Section: $1800-900-500-300.

Under 1000 Section: $1000-500-300-200.

Unrated may play in any section, with maximum prize U2100 $900, U1900 $700, U1700 $500, U1500 $400, U1300 $200, U1000 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line.

Top 6 sections entry fee: 4-day $144, 3-day $143, 2-day $142 mailed by 8/6, all $145 ONLINE at chesstour.com by 8/11, $150 phoned by 8/11 (406-896-2038, entries only, no questions), $160 (no checks, credit cards OK) at tmt. 

Under 1000 Section entry fee: all $60 less.

FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in Under 1000 or Under 1300 Sections if paying 1 year USCF dues with entry! Unrateds who enter online can get entry fee plus one year USCF membership with Chess Life magazine for a total of $30!  Please tell your friends about this great deal!

All: Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40.  Re-entry (except Open) $80. MACA membership ($12, under 18 $6) required for rated Massachusetts residents, WMCA accepted for Western MA residents.

4-day schedule: Reg Thu to 6:30 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 9 am & 3:15 pm.
3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11am, rds Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 9 & 3:15.
2-day schedule: Reg Sat to 9 am, rds Sat 10, 12:45, 3:15 & 6, Sun 9 & 3:15.
All schedules: Bye all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4.

Hotel rates: $84-84-84-84, 800-582-3232, 508-347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 7/30 or rate may increase.

Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.   

Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied!

Ratings:  August official USCF rating list used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated.  Foreign player rating info.

Entry: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658.  No smoking.  Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com.  WCL JGP (World Chess Live Junior Grand Prix Points available).