♟️ About Rising Star Chess
Rising Star Chess is an independent chess tournament organization serving players in Mesa and the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. Rather than operating as a conventional membership chess club, it focuses primarily on organizing structured over-the-board competitions throughout the year. Its program includes regular Grand Prix tournaments, multi-day Classic events, lower-rated competitions, and blitz side events, with online registration generally handled through King Registration.
The organization offers tournament opportunities across a wide range of playing strengths. Its monthly Grand Prix events normally use six rating sections, from an Open section for players rated 2000 and above through an Under-1200 section. Meanwhile, the larger Classic tournaments provide longer time controls, multiple schedules, larger prize funds, and separate events for developing players. Rising Star Chess provides boards, sets, and clocks at its major events, while active US Chess membership is required for rated competition.
Richard Smouse leads Rising Star Chess and serves as its principal organizer and player contact. He directs a busy 2026 calendar based primarily at the Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton. As of August 2026, upcoming events include the September, October, November, and December Rising Star Grand Prix tournaments, together with the multi-day Rising Star Thanksgiving Classic and associated U800 and blitz competitions.
🏆 Rising Star Grand Prix Series
The Rising Star Grand Prix forms the core of the organization’s annual tournament program. Rising Star Chess scheduled Grand Prix events throughout 2026, beginning in January and continuing through December. The standard format is a four-round Swiss with a time control of G/45;+10. Six sections allow players to compete primarily against opponents of similar strength: Open, Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and U1200. Players close to the rating threshold of the next section can also play up under the published tournament rules.
These events are US Chess dual-rated, affecting both Regular and Quick ratings. Prize structures generally reward overall section winners while also providing additional rating-class prizes. Moreover, FIDE-titled players can receive free entry when they register within the organizer’s specified early-entry period. The current registration calendar lists the remaining 2026 Grand Prix events for September 12, October 10, November 14, and December 5, all in Mesa.
♜ Rising Star Classic Tournaments
Rising Star Chess also organizes larger holiday-weekend Classic tournaments. Its 2026 program includes President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving events. These tournaments use longer playing schedules than the monthly Grand Prix series and generally include several rating sections. For example, the 3rd Annual Rising Star Thanksgiving Classic, scheduled for November 27–29, 2026, will use a six-round Swiss format with Premier, U1800, U1500, and U1200 sections.
Players can choose between a three-day schedule using G/90;+30 throughout or a two-day option that begins with faster games before merging into the longer schedule. The tournament offers a $5,000 prize fund based on 100 paid entries. In addition, the weekend includes a separate U800 tournament and a blitz event on November 28.
⚡ Developing Players and Side Events
Rising Star Chess supplements its main tournaments with events designed for newer and lower-rated competitors. Its U800 tournaments give players rated below 800, as well as unrated players, a dedicated competitive environment rather than requiring them to enter much stronger open sections. These events commonly use a six-round Swiss format with a faster time control such as G/30;+5. They remain US Chess rated and therefore provide developing competitors with an opportunity to gain tournament experience and establish or improve their ratings.
Blitz competitions also accompany several of the larger Classic weekends. Consequently, Rising Star Chess offers a mix of longer tournament chess, dual-rated Grand Prix play, entry-level competition, and faster side events within the same annual program.
🏛️ Tournament Organization
Richard Smouse is the organizer behind Rising Star Chess and the primary contact listed across its official website, US Chess tournament announcements, and King Registration events. He handles player enquiries and oversees the organization’s recurring tournament program. Rising Star Chess currently stages most of its events at the Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton in Mesa. However, this is a tournament venue rather than a verified permanent organizational office, so it is not used as the organizer’s contact address.
The organization maintains an official website with its tournament calendar and previous results, while current registration and entry lists are published through King Registration.
