US Amateur West this weekend!

The US Amateur West is this weekend, May 29 - 31, at the Holiday Inn on Palo Verde. The tournament is a 6 round event open to players rated 2199 and below (USCF). There will also be three, 1-day scholastic tournaments (4 rounds) open to players in K-6 who are rated below 1000 USCF.

Prizes include:

Free entry to the National Open to 1st place in Championship and Reserve sections.

Championship Section: Chronos chess clock + plaque to 1st - 3rd Place.

Reserve Section: Chronos chess clock + plaque to 1st, Digital clock + plaque to 2nd, 3rd.

Booster Section: Chronos clock + trophy to 1st. Trophy to 2nd-5th.

Scholastic Sections: (each day) Digital clock + trophy to 1st. Trophy to 2nd-5th. Trophy to Top U800, U600, Unrated. Perfect scores that don’t win the clock will receive 1 yr. of USCF Membership.

Other Prizes: Top 2 Family Pair in the non-scholastic sections. Biggest Upset of each round (Championship, Reserve, or Booster only). Chronos clock to Scholastic player with highest combined score for all three 1-day tournaments.

Plus digital clocks and plaques to each rating group U1200 - 1999!

There is still time to register for the event. Just go to the SACA webstore and register there, or print out a flier and mail in your registration. But hurry! Because the entry fees go up on Wednesday!

Grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez returns to analyze your games between rounds. Additionally, he will also give a simul on Sunday. The simul is open to all players, not just those playing in the event. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your seat early.

The weekend begins Friday night with a blitz tournament. Like the simul, the blitz tournament is open to all players, not just those playing in the event.

Date: Friday 5/28/10; Location: Holiday Inn Palo Verde; Format: USCF Rated, G/5, 5 Rounds, Double SS; Entry Fee: $10 ($15 to non-tournament players); Reg.: 6:00–6:45pm at site; Rounds: begin at 7:00pm Prizes: ($$b/20) $75-$45, Top U1600 $30, Medallion to top K-12, K-8, K-6.

We look forward to see you this weekend!

US Amateur West

The US Amateur West is 1 week away! The "Amateur" is May 23-25 at the Holiday Inn-Palo Verde. Only players below Master-level (under 2200) may play. It will be a 6-round event with time controls of 40/2, 25/1 (note the lack of "sudden death") separated in 4 sections: Championship, Reserve (U1600), Booster (U12oo) and Scholastic (K-8/U1000). The Scholastic section is actually 3 separate, 1-day events of 4 rounds each. You can play one, two, or all three days!

GM Alejandro Ramirez will be the chess celebrity this year. He'll be available all weekend to offer free chess analysis of your games between rounds. Additionally, he'll give a simul (seats are limited) on Sunday at 2:00 pm and a free lecture on Monday.

Prizes for the tournament include:

• Free entry to the National Open for the winners of the Championship and Reserve sections.
• Door prizes donated by GM Susan Polgar and the Susan Polgar Foundation.
• Digital clocks added to all rating plaque prizes.
• Family prizes for the Top 2 families.
• Upset prizes each round (Championship, Reserve and Booster sections only).

The weekend starts off with a Blitz tourament Friday night.

U.S. Amateur West Blitz (Open to players of all ratings)
Date: Friday 5/22/09; Location: Holiday Inn Palo Verde; Format: USCF Rated, G/5, 5 Rounds, Double SS; Entry Fee: $10 ($15 to non-tournament players); Reg.: 6:00–6:45pm at site; Rounds: begin at 7:00pm Prizes: ($$b/20) $75-$45, Top U1600 $30, Medallion to top K-12, K-8, K-6.

Registration is available online or by postal mail (see flyer). Registration will also be available at the site the morning of Saturday, May 23 from 8:30 - 9:30. Get your registration in early and avoid a $10 late fee that starts on May 21. Those that have already registered should look at the pre-registration list to make sure all information is correct. Contact the Chief TD of there are any errors.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

National Open Free Entry Rules

As mentioned, the Las Vegas International Chess Festival has donated 2 FREE entries into the National Open to the winners of the Championship and Reserve section (1 entry each) of the US Amateur West Championship. Here are the details regarding those FREE entries:

Free entry to National Open for Winner(s).
Non-transferable unless winner already entered the National Open.
      Must notify SACA of transferee's name within 24 hours.
      Then it is non-transferable again.
Winner (or transferee) must stay at Riviera to claim prize.
      Unless Vegas resident.
      I (the organizer) will hold a room Thu-Mon since the Am West is after the cutoff.
      Must confirm room by 6/3.

Thank you again to the organizers of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival for these prizes!