Don't Forget to Make Plans for Reno!

While I prepare for SuperNationals this week, I want to remind my readers that there is a major adult tournament coming up in a week and a half. The Far West Open on Easter weekend (April 10-12) in Reno has always been one of my favorite events. The trip up into the mountains truly feels like a mini-vacation. Each year, the two Reno tournaments attract more chess players than any of the adult events that the Bay Area has to offer. Plus there's the opportunity to watch, learn from and compete with strong masters. GM Melik Khachiyan (see photo at right) won the 2008 edition ahead of GM Sergey Kudrin, FM Alexandre Kretchetov and local youngsters FM Daniel Naroditsky and NM Steven Zierk.

• Event: 9th Far West Open
• Date: April 10-12
• Location: Sands Regency Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada
• Format: 6 round swiss in 5 sections (Open, A, B, C, U1400)
• Time control: 40/120, 20/60, G/30 (maximum length game can go 7 hours)
• Entry fee: $144-148 until April 3, $11 more on site
• Prize fund: $22,500 based on 250 entries including $2000 for 1st in Open section
• Entry form (print and mail this)
• See this website for complete details.
• Check advance entries.
• Rating report from last year.
  

I expect to see many of my friends and students in attendance in Reno. We always have fun between rounds, including a little pizza party on Saturday. I know conventional wisdom says that casinos and kids do not mix well, but this tournament seems to be an exception. Dozens of kids rated from 800 to 2400 play each year. I recommend to request the Regency or Dynasty tower while reserving your hotel room so that the kids can take the elevator directly to the playing hall without walking through the casino.