Less Than 1 Week Before the 2008 U.S. CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS ! ! !
The 2008 US Class Championships begin in less than 1 week! The luxurious Marriott Hotel Greenspoint in Houston is the site of this major competition. As it stands right now, the Masters Division is headed by 2008 Texas State Champion Warren Harper and National Masters Michael Langer, Francisco Guadalupe and Nick Schoonmaker. Who will challenge these players? IM Daniel Fernandez, for one, is ready, as well as a host of others who have already signed up. For a list of those who have pre-registered, click on
So…sign up today! And don’t forget to make your hotel reservation by calling 281-875-4000.
2008 U.S. CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS
JULY 18-20, 2008 — Houston, Texas
5-Round Swiss, G/120 – 3-day or 2-day Schedule Available
Open Section will be FIDE Rated
$10,500 PRIZE FUND – 70% Guaranteed
(b/200 paid entries, $7,350 min. guaranteed)
FREE ENTRY FOR ALL GMs & IMs (EF deducted from winnings)
SPECIAL PRIZES COURTESY OF SAITEK USA ! !
SIDE EVENT: SCHOLASTIC TOURNAMENT –
(INDIVIDUAL) – ONE DAY ONLY – Saturday, July 19th – 5 Rd. Swiss, G/30
[Scholastic Players may play in both Scholastic and Adult Tournament if desired]
TROPHY OR MEDAL AND CHESS GIFT TO ALL SCHOLASTIC PLAYERS
SEPARATE TOURNAMENT HALL FOR SCHOLASTIC PLAYERS
BRING YOUR OLD CHESS BOOKS & CLOCKS — WE’LL BUY & TRADE !!!
SIDE EVENTS: CAJUN “KNOCK-OUT” G/5 BLITZ TOURNAMENT (SAT. NIGHT after Round 3) & CAJUN BOUNTY (defeat the top ranked player and win free entry into our next tournament)!
SPECIALS: EVERY Scholastic Player will receive a FREE chess gift. FREE Chess Clock to the player who travels farthest to tournament. FREE parking ! ! !
PLACE: Marriott Houston North at Greenspoint, 225 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E., Houston, TX 77032
Hotel Rate: $99 (single, double, triple or quad). Call 1-800-228-9290 or 281-875-4000; mention the Cajun Chess tournament & reserve early to ASSURE CHESS RATE (rooms not reserved by July 1st may not get special chess rate).
NOTE: YOU MUST PLAY IN YOUR OWN CLASS OR “UP” ONE CLASS ONLY
UPPER SECTIONS, PRIZE FUND, AND SCHEDULES:
Master (2200+): $1000-500-300 (U2400) 400-200-100;
Expert (2000-2199): $800-400-200
Class A (1800-1999): $800-400-$200
Class B (1600-1799): $800-400-$200
Class C (1400-1599): $800-400-$200
Class D (1200-1399): $800-400-$200
Class E (Under 1200): $300-200-$100
Unrated: $300-$100
National Title and Plaque to Class Winner!
3-Day Schedule: On-site Registration Fri. 5:30-7pm. Rds. Fri. 8pm; Sat. 11am-6:30pm; Sun. 9:30am-2:30pm.
2-Day Schedule: On-site Registration Sat. 9-10am. (Rds. 1 & 2, G/75) Rds. Sat. 11am-2:30pm-6:30pm; Sun. 9:30am-2:30pm.
Both Schedules merge at Round 3.
SCHOLASTIC SECTIONS, PRIZES, AND SCHEDULE (Individual only):
Sections: K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12. Five rounds will be played; Game in 30 minutes (each opponent gets 30 minutes to complete his game). Scholastic players may play in scholastic and adult sections only if they register in the 3-day adult section (first game on Friday night).
Prizes: Trophies to the top 5 individuals in EACH section. Every non-trophy winner receives a souvenir chess medal. Every participant receives a chess gift. Awards ceremony immediately after last round.
Scholastic Schedule: Scholastic tournament is 1 day only, Sat., July 19. On-site Registration Sat. 8-9am. Round 1 at 10am. Other rounds will immediately follow.
BYES (1/2-point):Available all Rounds (must commit before Round 3).
TIEBREAKS:
USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy and medal placements for all winners in scholastic sections, and for plaque winners in upper sections.
ENTRY FEES:
Upper Sections: $79 by July 16th; $89 at site.
Special Entry Fee for Class E, Unrated players, & Juniors (Under 18 yrs old) playing in Class C, D or E: $49 by July 16th, $59 at site.
Scholastic Sections: $20 by July 16th; $25 at site.
REGISTRATION:
You may register on-line (www.cajunchess.com — click on “Upcoming Tournaments”), by phone (504-905-2971 or 713-530-7820), by fax (504-208-9620), or by sending check and registration info to: Franc Guadalupe, 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City, TX 77573.
AVIS CAR RENTAL DISCOUNT:
800-331-1600, Use AWD #J996774 to receive discount.
ADDITIONAL INFO OR QUESTIONS:
Call Cajun Chess at 504-905-2971 or Franc Guadalupe at 713-530-7820, or email cajunchess@yahoo.com.
This is a good tournament. I hope they’ll draw big.
No draws please!
Classes are a perversion of the rating system. They should be abolished.
A few years ago I visited a tournament in Las Vegas.
The reason I went was that it was a chance to meet some online chess friends who were playing there.
One of them had a USCF rating of about 1250, but hadn’t played a rated tournament for some years. He had however been playing everyday online at longish time controls against strong players.
Needless to say, he completely dominated the under 1400 class and won $2500…
I do think large class prizes can encourage people to be less than totally honest about their abilities. Though my friend had not broken any rules, I felt sorry for the guys who played 1400 level chess but lost out.
Go Dan Fernandez!!!
i bet a utd player will win again
td is an ass