BASIC DETAILS

Mar. 28-30   2008 Frank K. Berry U.S. Championship - Qualifier Open   GPP: 120  

Seven (7). Official Qualification Sports to be awarded here for the 2008 FKB U. S. Championship (May 13-21) in Tulsa, OK. ALSO one (1) "Wild Card" spot in the 2008 FKB USA Women's Championship will be awarded to highest finishing USA female. ( see eligibility below): 7-SS. G/90 (+30sec), Tulsa Best Western - Trade Winds Central, 3141 E. Skelly Dr, (I-44 at Harvard), Tulsa OK 74105. (918) 749-5561 or 800-685-4564 HR: $55 (1-4) Eligibility for Qualification slots: All USCF members who have FIDE Federation as USA. USCF members without FIDE ratings also eligible. (See Residency rules below) EF: (if $ received by March 13, 2008 - keyword: $ RECEIVED) 2200+ - $25, 2000-2199 - $100, 1999 and below - $200. All $100 more after March 13. Reg.: 10 - 11:30 AM Fri the 28th. OCF memberships available $10, Rds.: Noon-4:30, 9-2:30-7, 9-2. Two Half pt byes available rds 1 or 2 or 5. $$ Prizes ($11,000 guaranteed): 1st thru 7th place = each $1,000 plus Qualification Spot. Math tie-breaks determine spots if ties (prize $$ split normally). U2400 - $1,000, U2200 - $1,000, U2000 - $1,000, Highest female - $1,000, Free Shuttle from/to Tulsa airport. Free parking, Wi-Fi, Info: FKimBerry@aol.com, Advance Entrees: Frank K. Berry, 402 S. Willis St, Stillwater, OK 74074. LS, W. FIDE rated. JGP.

HOTEL INFO

Primary hotel is the Trade Winds Central. Rooms are $55/60. Ask for chess rate.

www.tradewindstulsa.com

If the Trade Winds Central is sold out, there are three other motels within very close walking distance (150 yards):

á        Ramada ($60; 918-743-9811),

á        Howard Johnson ($55; 918-794-5156), 

á        Trade Winds East ($45; 800-254-7449). 

The Trade Winds East is also giving us a special rate -- ask for the chess rate to get it. Normally they are $55. The other hotels it is their normal rate. FYI, The Trade Winds East is the cheapest. The rooms are okay but have outdated furnishings. Players wishing a nicer alternate location should choose the Ramada (closest) or the Howard Johnson.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From Oklahoma City or Points West take I-44 across the river into Tulsa. (See map). Get off at the HARVARD Exit. Turn left at the light, left at the next light (Harvard) to go under the overpass, then left again onto Skelly Drive. The hotel is right there, on the Northwest side of the I-44/Harvard intersection. (Do not confuse it with the "Trade Winds East" hotel, about a block away to the East!)

From Joplin or Points East take I-44 heading into Tulsa. (See map). Get off at the HARVARD Exit. Continue through the stoplight across Harvard on Skelly Drive. The hotel is right there, on the Northwest side of the I-44/Harvard intersection. (Do not confuse it with the "Trade Winds East" hotel, about a block away to the East which you will pass as you take the Harvard Exit!

From Other Directions Make your way through town to I-44, using the map above as a rough guide, then follow the directions above depending on which way on I-44 you approach.

ELIGIBILITY

To win a qualification spot a player must be eligible to play in to play in the U.S. Championship. Here are the USCFÕs detailed rules on ÒResidencyÓ for players:

RESIDENCY

Players without previous international experience and/or FIDE ratings shall usually be given U.S. status immediately by both the USCF and FIDE. If a question arises as to USCF versus FIDE requirements, USCF's criteria shall be used for national events and FIDEÕs criteria will be used for international events. Before becoming eligible for USCF invitations, non-United States citizens who have FIDE ratings or have represented another country in a chess competition must fulfill the following residency requirements:

1. Players under age 20 are considered eligible upon proof of full-time enrollment in a U.S. school. However, FIDE may still, at its discretion, require that such individuals fulfill a waiting period of up to three years.

2. A player who has a green card or other acceptable proof of permanent U.S. residency must complete one continuous year (12 months) of United States residency, with a U.S. address, immediately prior to the event in question. In addition, for FIDE team competition (Olympiad, World Team, etc.), candidates may be required to provide a written promise that they will apply for U.S. citizenship as soon as legally possible.

3. A player who does not have a green card or other acceptable proof of permanent U.S. residency must complete two continuous years (24 months) of United States residency, with a U.S. address, immediately prior to the event in question. In addition, for FIDE team competition (Olympiad, World Team, etc.), candidates may be required to provide a written promise that they will apply for U.S. citizenship as soon as legally possible.

4. Players must complete and sign a USCF residency form and a FIDE residency form, and these residency forms must be received by the USCF prior to the time when invitations are determined. The USCF shall then contact FIDE to arrange for the player's national affiliation code to be changed to reflect the player's status as a U.S. player. Blank residency forms can be obtained from the USCF office.

5. Players must refuse to represent other countries within the waiting period as specified above. Playing for another country at any time requires a candidate for invitations to begin the waiting period anew (i.e., one or two years from the time of the infraction for adults; at least one year for players under age 20). Representing another country is defined as playing in the national championship of another country, and/or playing as a member of another country's national team in international competition.

6. Zonal events: In years in which the U.S. Championship and U.S. Women's Championship are also Zonal tournaments, any qualification spots allotted by FIDE from these events for the FIDE world championship competition will be offered only to the highest-scoring players who also fulfill all FIDE requirements. If a question arises as to USCF versus FIDE requirements, FIDE's criteria shall be used.

7. Players shall, in general, suffer no penalty for simply participating in a FIDE-rated event under their current national affiliation code (such as in futurities or other norm-granting events not listed above), until such time as their code is changed to reflect their status as a U.S. player.

8. Players who submitted a USCF residency from prior to August, 2003 have the option to use either these rules or the rules for residency that applied at the time that the application was submitted.