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