October 18-19, 2008

2nd Annual ChessNuts Challenge Open, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.
Located in the Oak Room of the Grant Center. Total prize fund of $4,000 based on 80 entries. Minimum guaranteed payout is 50% of listed prizes if under 80 players participate.

IM Victor Adler will return to defend last year's championship! IM Sandor Kustar has also committed to return for another year! See the complete pre-registration list!

Organized by The ChessNuts Chess Club, directed by Dan McClintic & Lon Larson.

Challenges: This is a combination team/individual event, where teams are formed by the players' state or province. Travelling trophies are awarded to the teams winning the MN-MB, MB-ND, and ND-MN Challenge Matches. In rounds 3-5, all game results between players in both sections will be tallied for the Challenges. One of the nice features of team pairings is that it is less likely for players from the same team to play each other. So, if you are travelling a couple of hours to compete, your preferred opponents will not be the players you rode with.

Entry Fee: $50.00 US if paid by 10/10/2008, $60.00 US on site.

Registration: on-site 8:00am-8:30am the day of the tournament.

Pre-registration:

On-line until 10/15/2008
At ChessNuts Club on any Friday evening until 10/10/2008
Mail the registration form, postmarked by 10/05/2008

USCF Rated: Bring proof of USCF membership, or buy one at the tournament.

Rounds: 5, paired Swiss System by computer. USCF rules for combined individual-team pairings used, with the Plus-two method in effect all five rounds.

Byes: ½ point byes are available in rounds 1-4 if requested before pairings are made for that round. Limit of one ½ point bye per player.

Equipment: Bring chess clocks. Boards and sets are provided.

OPEN section Prizes: All players welcome.

1st Place: $1200 / 2nd : $600 / 3rd : $300
U2100: $200 / 100
U1900: $200 / 100
Upset: $100

RESERVE section Prizes: For players rated under 1900 USCF.

1st Place: $400 / 2nd : $200 / 3rd : $100
U1700: $100 / 50
U1500: $100 / 50
U1300/unr: $100 / 50
Upset: $50

Tournament Schedule & Time Controls: both sections

Saturday, Oct. 18:

[R1: 9am, Game/90;td5]
[Lunch: 12noon]
[R2: 1pm, Game/120;td5]
[Dinner: 5pm]
[R3: 6pm, 30/90,Game/60;td5]

Sunday, Oct. 19:

[R4: 8am, 30/90,Game/60;td5]
[Lunch: 1pm]
R5: 2pm, 30/90,Game/60;td5]
[Awards: 7:30pm]

Hotel Accomodations provided by AmericInn Fargo (877-234-9976). Ask for the "Chess Tournament Rate" ($79.90 QQ or K). A block of rooms for this tournament will be held until 09/17/2008. Don't wait until too late to reserve your room!

For information, contact TD Dan McClintic danmcclintic@ndchess.org.
For information, contact TD Lon Larson LonLars@gmail.com.
For information, contact Brian Thompson ndchessnut@yahoo.com.