(all Sections including the Scholastic Side Event are USCF-Rated)

July 24 – 26, 2009 -- Houston, Texas

Crowne Plaza Hotel Houston North - Greenspoint

5-Round Swiss, G/120  – 3 or 2-day Schedule Available – FIDE Rated

(b/200 paid entries, $5,000 min. guaranteed)

FREE ENTRY FOR ALL GMs & IMs (EF deducted from winnings)

SCHOLASTIC SECTIONS – (USCF-Rated)ONE DAY ONLY – Saturday, July 25^th– 5 Rd. Swiss, G/30

[Scholastic Players may play in both Scholastic and Adult Tournaments if desired by registering for the Scholastic Tournament AND the 3-day Tournament Schedule with a ½-pt. Bye in the 2^nd Round of the 3-Day Schedule.]

TROPHY OR MEDAL TO ALL SCHOLASTIC PLAYERS

SEPARATE TOURNAMENT HALL FOR SCHOLASTIC PLAYERS

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)!

GIFTS:   FREE Chess Gift to the player who travels farthest to the tournament in both the Scholastic Tournament and the Main Event!  FREE Chess Gift to the OLDEST and YOUNGEST PLAYERS in the Main Event !!  FREE parking ! ! !   

PLACE:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Houston North - Greenspoint, 425 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E., Houston, TX 77060 (toll free at 800-227-6963 or direct hotel reservations at 281-445-9000). 

       Hotel Rate:  $75 (single, double). mention the Cajun Chess tournament & reserve early to ASSURE CHESS RATE (rooms not reserved by July 15 may not get special chess rate).

UPPER SECTIONS, PRIZE FUND, AND SCHEDULES:
OPEN:   $1400-$800-$500-300-200 (U2200: 700-400); 

U2000:  $800-$400-$200-100-50;

U1800:  $800-$400-$200-100-50;

U1600/Unr *: $800-$400-$200-100-50;

U1300:  $400-$300-$200-100-50; 

             *Unrated players may only win 50% of the prize fund unless playing in the OPEN Section.

   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. 8:30-10am.  (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 (Team & Individual):

Sections:  OPEN, U1000, U700 (for INDIVIDUALS - no teams).   Five rounds will be played; Game in 30 minutes (each opponent gets 30 minutes to complete his game). 

Prizes: Trophies to the top 5 individuals in EACH section.  More individual trophies may be added depending on pre-registration numbers.  Every non-trophy winner receives a souvenir chess medal.  Awards ceremony immediately after last round.

Scholastic Schedule:  Scholastic tournament is 1 day only, Sat., July 25th.  On-site Registration Sat. 8-9am.  Round 1 at 10am.  Other rounds will immediately follow.

TIEBREAKS:

USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy and medal placements for all winners in scholastic sections.

BYES (1/2-point):
Available all Rounds (must commit before Round 3).

ENTRY FEES:
Upper Sections (including Unrated Players in OPEN Section): $79 by July 22^nd; $89 thereafter and at site. 

Unrated (playing in U1600):  $49 by July 22^nd, $59 thereafter and at site. (SEE NOTE BELOW)

Juniors (Under 19 years of age playing in the U1300 or U1600 Sections):  $49 by July 22^nd; $59 thereafter and at site. 

Scholastic Sections: $20 by July 22^nd; $25 thereafter and at site.

NOTE:  IF YOU ARE AN ADULT UNRATED PLAYER, YOU MUST PLAY IN THE U1600 SECTION, YOUR ENTRY FEE IS $49 AND YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR 50% OF THE PRIZE FUND.  IF YOU REGISTER ON-LINE, PLEASE USE THE REGISTRATION BOX WHICH SAYS "JUNIOR/UNRATED" AND SHOWS THE $49 ENTRY FEE.  HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE AN UNRATED PLAYER AND WANT TO PLAY IN THE OPEN SECTION, THEN YOU MUST PAY THE FULL ENTRY FEE OF $79 AND YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FULL PRIZE FUND.

RE-ENTRY FEE:

$25, Available up to Round 4 for all sections.  Three re-entries count as an additional entry for prize fund.

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.