Presents:

2009 Carolina Open

The 2009 North Carolina Open Checker Tournament
will be held on May 15^th & 16^th 2009 in Oxford
at The Masonic Home for Children www.mhc-oxford.org
"The first Masonic orphanage for children in the US was built here, it was established as St. John's College in 1858."

NC Open is scheduled on the 1st Fri & Sat after Mother's Day (2^nd Sunday in May)

This is the 119^th continuous State Tournament, excluding WWII years '43-'44-'45

This years Carolina Open is special because we are fortunate to hold our tournament in the fellowship hall (basement) of the York Rite Memorial Chapel at The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, NC. Through the efforts of Mr. Cecil Lowe and Mr. Chris Richardson this is possible. Chris has arranged a discount for our out of town players at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Oxford, NC and just 1.3 miles from the Chapel. This fellowship hall is huge, having the capacity to facilitate a 150 person conference/meeting room. Hopefully we can have the largest state checker tournament ever! We also plan a youth division for Friday evening. Catered buffet lunches are planned for Friday and Saturday. There is also a relay race "Relay for Life" scheduled this same weekend but shouldn't conflict with our tournament, but you should book your room early (919) 692-1000.

Tournament Agenda:

Registration will be handled in the playing room at the fellowship hall on Friday morning between 8:00 - 8:45 AM. A short business meeting is scheduled following registration. Play begins 10:00 AM Friday. The entry fee is $20.00. Any contributions to support the tournament or Prize Fund will be appreciated.

As in the past, the tournament will be played under 3Move Ballot, using the Swiss System of scoring, with re-pairing only in the last two rounds. There will be 8 rounds at 2 games per round - 1 hour per game. Opening per round using the 156 Deck; Score by games, 2 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 3 for a bye. We will play 4 rounds Friday of 2 hours per round - 1 round before lunch and break for a 1 hour lunch. Then 3 rounds afterwards, an early start of 8AM for 4 rounds Saturday - 2 rounds before lunch then break for a 1 hour lunch at 12:00, and 2 afterwards, hopefully finished by 5PM permitting adequate travel time back home. Please make an effort to meet the time limit on our games since we have catered lunches and must stay on schedule.

We encourage Masters to use clocks (30 moves per hour) and record games. Bring you own or use a provided clock & recorder sheet. Majors and Minors may do the same, but optional. “Move-a-minute” rules will not be applied if clocks are used. Referee will be Tim Laverty.

2009 Carolina Open Daily Schedule:

Friday: Register 8:00 - 8:45 AM A short business meeting will followed registration.

Friday - Play begins 10:00 AM Rounds 1: 10-12 AM
Lunch at 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Rounds 2-3-4: 1-3 PM; 3-5 PM; 5-7 PM
Saturday - Play begins 8:00 AM Rounds 5 - 6: 8-10 AM; 10-12 AM
Lunch at 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Rounds 7- 8: 1-3 PM; 3-5 PM
Closing Ceremony 5:30 PM - trophies, certificates, & cash

Youth Schedule:

Friday Evening: Register 4:30 PM

Play begins 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
( 2 game GAYP rounds - Swiss or Round Robin )

Round 1: 5-6 PM

Round 2: 6-7 PM

Round 3: 7-8 PM

Closing Ceremony: 8 - 8:30 PM - trophies & certificates

Directions: Oxford is North of Raleigh so traveling from the West you take I-85, and from the East you take US-1 North or HWY 50 to Oxford from Raleigh. You are 1-1/2 hours or 82 miles form Greensboro.

Hotel Directions: At Oxford on I-85, exit 204 and you will see Comfort Inn located on 1000 Linden Avenue, Oxford, NC 27565, 919-692-1000. We have a block of 12 rooms reserved under "The Masonic Home for Children" at a special rate of $65.00. If you have an auto GPS the address for The Masonic Home for Children is: 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565. From I-85 – North or South – Take Oxford Exit 204, then highway 96 North (Linden Ave.) Right onto Hillsboro, then left onto College St. MHCO ¾ of mile on the right. You can also view map in Americantowns.