4TH CHESS4SMILES OPEN Chess Tournament
Proceeds support the kids at Children’s Hospital in the Los Angeles area!
The tournament is currently at capacity with 96 players.
Text 818-961-4508 with your name and USCF ID to be added to the waiting list. We will notify you if a player withdraws and a spot becomes available.
Date: Saturday, July 18th, 2026
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Arcadia Pasadena Area
211 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006 ($5 hotel parking / per day)
Sections / Format / Time Control:
- 1800+ Section: 4 Round SS, G/45;+5
- 1400-1800 Section: 4 Round SS, G/45;+5
- 1000-1400 Section: 4 Round SS, G/45;+5
- U1000 Section: 4 Double Rounds SS, G/30; (each player plays 2 games black/white vs. same opponent for total of eight games)
Round Times: 9:30 am 11:30 am 2:00 pm 4:00 pm
Entry Fee: $50 ($60 after 7/13, $70 onsite)
- GMs, IMs, FMs play for free
- Onsite entries close at 9:00 am
- $10 Processing fee for all refunds. No refunds after 8:00 am 7/18
Note:
- US Chess rated - must be current US Chess member to participate. Join here
- Please request byes at registration. 1 half-point bye available (full point for U1000). ALL onsite bye requests will be zero points only.
- Players should bring their own sets, clocks, pencils & scoresheets.
- Notation is recommended, but not required for players in the U1000 section and in 3rd grade and below.
- Play-up option is available to players within 100 (200 for 1000-1400 section ) USCF rating points (peak rating) of the section they want to play in.
- We are using the July published ratings list.
- In the event of a perfect score tie (i.e. two or more players end the tournament with 4 points), a blitz playoff will be used. Single game of 5+2, with colors determined by color history.
- 1800+ will use accelerated pairings (39 player section).
Cash Prizes (based on 70 paid entries in all sections combined):
- 1800+ Section: $200-100-60-40
- 1400-1800 Section: $120-60-40
- 1000-1400 Section: $100-60-40
- U1000 Section: $80-50-30
Contact:
Patrick Yu, Maggie Chen 818-961-4508 chess4smiles@gmail.com Organizers
Nick Garcia 805-206-9215 coachnickg03@gmail.com Chief TD
With support from Avery Yu and Bryan Xie