October 23-25, 2009

3rd Annual ChessNuts Challenge Open, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.
Located in the Oak Room of the Grant Center. Update: Total prize fund of $4,000 is now guaranteed! This tournament is funded primarily by chess equipment sales on our eBay Store, and we've had a very good year!

GM Alex Yermolinsky has committed to play!

Organized by The ChessNuts Chess Club, directed by Lon Larson & Brian Thompson.

Entry Fee: $60.00 US on site.

Registration: on-site 6:00pm-6:30pm the day of the tournament (Friday night, before round 1).

Late Registration, Re-entry: on-site 7:30am-8:00am Saturday, 10/24/2009 (before round 2). Round 1 ½ point bye.

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.

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. More information.

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.

PREMIER 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 (at Concordia College: Grant Center)

Friday, Oct. 23:
- 5pm-6pm : Meet & Greet (sponsored by Subway)
- 6pm-6:30pm : Register / Check-in
- 6:30pm-6:45pm : Announcements / Pairings Posted
- 7:00pm : R1 Game/120; td5
Saturday, Oct. 24:
- 8:45am : Announcements / Pairings Posted
- 9am : R2 Game/120;td5
- Lunch: 1pm
- 1:45pm : Announcements / Pairings Posted
- 2pm : R3 30/90,Game/60;td5
- Dinner: 7pm
- 7:45pm : Announcements / Pairings Posted
- 8pm : R4 30/90,Game/60;td5
Sunday, Oct. 25:
- 12:15pm : Announcements / Pairings Posted
- 12:30pm : R5 30/90,Game/60;td5
- Awards: Prizes Awarded within 30 minutes of the end of round 5

Hotel Accomodations provided by AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Moorhead (877-287-7100). Located within a quarter mile of the playing site, just off I-94, and within walking distance of several restarants and a movie theater. Ask for the "Chess Tournament Rate" ($75.00 QQ). A block of rooms for this tournament will be held until 09/23/2009. Don't wait until too late to reserve your room!

For information, contact TD Lon Larson LonLars@gmail.com.
For information, contact Brian Thompson ndchessnut@yahoo.com.