Rising Star Chess
presents the
3rd Annual
Rising Star President's Day Classic
Feb 14-16, 2026 Sat, Sun, Mon
Location:
Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton
1011 West Holmes Ave
Mesa, AZ 85210
Format: 6-round Swiss Style tournament
Time Controls:
3-day Schedule: G/90;+30 for all rounds
2-day Schedule: G/30;+5 for rounds 1-3, G/90;+30 for rounds 4-6
Four Sections:
Premier (1800 and Up)
U1800 (1500-1799)
U1500 (1200-1499)
U1200 (1199 and under)
Players rated 1700-1799 may play up into the Premier Section for an additional $50.
Players within 100 points of the rating floor of lower sections may play up for an additional $25.
Important:
• USCF Regular ratings apply for all sections.
• USCF membership is required (may be purchased or renewed on site)
• The official published February 2026 USCF Regular ratings will be used for section eligibility, pairings.
Higher unofficial ratings may be used, when applicable, if someone has a higher LIVE rating.
• A maximum of three half-point byes are available. Any half-point byes must be requested no later than
30 minutes before the round starts for rounds 1-3. Half-point byes for rounds 4-6 must be requested
before the start of round 3 and may not be cancelled or changed after round 3 starts.
• Boards, sets, clocks AND pens will be provided for all sections.
• Special Side Event: Rising Star President's Day U800, Saturday, Feb 14 @ 10:00 am
• Special Side Event: Rising Star President's Day Blitz, Saturday, Feb 14 @ 7:30 pm
Prizes: $5000 Total Prize Fund (based on 100 paid entries):
Premier: $1000/$500/$250, 1st U2000: $125, 1st Female: $125
U1800: $750/$375/$200, 1st U1650: $100, 1st Female: $100
U1500: $450/$250/$100, 1st U1350: $50, 1st Female: $50
U1200: $300/$150/$75, 1st U800: $25, 1st Female: $25
Schedule:
3-Day Rounds: 10:00 am and 3:00 pm Sat, Sun, & Mon
2-Day Rounds:
Sun: Rd 1 10:00 am, Rd 2 11:30 am, Rd 3 1:00 pm, Rd 4* 3:00 pm
Mon: Rd 5 10:00 am, Rd 6 3:00 pm
*Merges with 3-day Schedule on Sunday in Rd 4 at 3:00 pm
Entry Fees:
Free entry for any GM/WGM/IM/WIM/FM/WFM
No prize deduction if entered on or before Jan 31, 2026
$120 deducted from prize winnings if entered after Jan 31, 2026
Premier Section: $120 early, $140 late, $150 on site.
U1800 Section: $100 early, $120 late, $130 on site.
U1500 Section: $80 early, $100 late, $110 on site.
U1200 Section: $60 early, $80 late, $90 on site.
Re-entries: 3-day players may re-enter into the 2-day schedule before 9:15 am on Sunday for a $40 re-entry fee
Online Registration: Rising Star President's Day Classic Registration
Early online registration is available through Jan 31 for the 3-day or Feb 1 for the 2-day
Late online registration is available on or before Feb 13 for the 3-day or Feb 14 for the 2-day.
On-site registration is available on or before 9:30 am on Feb 14 for 3-day or 9:30 am on Feb 15 for 2-day
After round 1 starts, late on-site registration is still available with half-point byes for any previous rounds missed.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix/Mesa 1011 W Holmes Ave, Mesa, AZ, 85210
Group rate: $239/night + tax for single or double occupancy. $15/night for each additional adult. Free parking and internet.
Reservations: Click here for the link for doing a reservation online or call (480) 833-5555 with Group code: "91Q"
Refunds: Refunds may be requested until one hour before the start of Round 1. No refunds will be given after that time. All refunds will incur a 5% processing fee.
Contact: Richard Smouse: Text/Voice: (480) 390-9528; Email: rick_smouse@yahoo.com