Rising Star Thanksgiving Classic 2026 takes place from November 27-29, 2026, at Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton in Mesa, Arizona, United States. The tournament offers a 6-round Swiss format with 3-day and 2-day schedule options.
This is a chess tournament in Mesa, United States, in 2026. Players will compete in four US Chess-rated sections, with regular ratings used for eligibility, pairings, and prizes.
The event offers a $5,000 prize fund based on 100 paid entries, provided boards, sets, and clocks, plus U800 and blitz side events. In addition, players can stay at the tournament hotel with a published chess group rate.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Rising Star Thanksgiving Classic 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | November 27-29, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Mesa, Arizona, United States |
| 🏛️ Venue | Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton |
| 📌 Address | 1011 West Holmes Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210 |
| ♟️ Format | 6-round Swiss tournament |
| 🧩 Sections | Premier, U1800, U1500, U1200 |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess-rated |
| 🌐 FIDE Rated | No |
| ⏱️ 3-Day Time Control | G/90 + 30 seconds increment |
| ⚡ 2-Day Early Rounds | Rounds 1–3: G/30 + 5 seconds increment |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $5,000 based on 100 paid entries |
| 📝 Registration | Online and on-site registration available |
| ♟️ Equipment | Boards, sets, and clocks provided |
| 👨💼 Organizer | Richard Smouse / Rising Star Chess |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The 3-day schedule uses G/90 + 30 seconds increment for all rounds. Therefore, players who start on Friday get classical-style games from the first round.
The 2-day schedule uses a faster time control for the first three rounds. Players receive G/30 + 5 seconds increment in Rounds 1–3. After that, the 2-day schedule merges with the 3-day schedule in Round 4.
All sections use USCF Regular ratings. In addition, the official November USCF rating list determines section eligibility and prizes. Higher live ratings may also apply when relevant.
Players may request up to three half-point byes. However, byes for Rounds 4–6 must be requested before Round 3 starts, and they cannot be changed after that point.
💰 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a $5,000 prize fund based on 100 paid entries.
Prize Fund Overview
| Section | Published Prizes |
|---|---|
| Premier | $2,000 |
| U1800 | $1,525 |
| U1500 | $900 |
| U1200 | $575 |
| Total based-on prize fund | $5,000 |
Premier Section Prizes
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $1,000 |
| 2nd place | $500 |
| 3rd place | $250 |
| 1st U2000 | $125 |
| 1st female player | $125 |
U1800 Section Prizes
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $750 |
| 2nd place | $375 |
| 3rd place | $200 |
| 1st U1650 | $100 |
| 1st female player | $100 |
U1500 Section Prizes
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $450 |
| 2nd place | $250 |
| 3rd place | $100 |
| 1st U1350 | $50 |
| 1st female player | $50 |
U1200 Section Prizes
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $300 |
| 2nd place | $150 |
| 3rd place | $75 |
| 1st U800 | $25 |
| 1st female player | $25 |
FIDE-titled players receive free entry. If they enter on or before November 13, 2026, no prize deduction applies. If they enter after that date, $120 is deducted from prize winnings.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament has four rating sections.
Premier is for players rated 1800 and above. Players rated 1700–1799 may play up into Premier for an additional $50.
U1800 is for players rated 1500–1799. This section gives strong club players a separate prize structure.
U1500 is for players rated 1200–1499. It also includes prizes for the top U1350 player and top female player.
U1200 is for players rated 1199 and below. It includes place prizes, an U800 prize, and a female prize.
Players within 100 points of the rating floor of a lower section may play up for an additional $25.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 27 | 09:30 | On-site registration deadline for 3-day schedule |
| Friday, November 27 | 10:00 | Round 1, 3-day schedule |
| Friday, November 27 | 15:00 | Round 2, 3-day schedule |
| Saturday, November 28 | 09:15 | Re-entry deadline for 3-day players entering 2-day schedule |
| Saturday, November 28 | 09:30 | On-site registration deadline for 2-day schedule |
| Saturday, November 28 | 10:00 | Round 1, 2-day schedule / Round 3, 3-day schedule |
| Saturday, November 28 | 10:00 | Rising Star Thanksgiving U800 side event |
| Saturday, November 28 | 11:30 | Round 2, 2-day schedule |
| Saturday, November 28 | 13:00 | Round 3, 2-day schedule |
| Saturday, November 28 | 15:00 | Round 4, merged schedules |
| Saturday, November 28 | 19:30 | Rising Star Thanksgiving Blitz |
| Sunday, November 29 | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| Sunday, November 29 | 15:00 | Round 6 |
Players can choose the 3-day schedule or the 2-day schedule. The 3-day option starts on Friday morning, while the 2-day option starts on Saturday morning.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Platform | King Registration |
| Early Online Deadline – 3-Day | November 13, 2026 |
| Early Online Deadline – 2-Day | November 14, 2026 |
| Late Online Deadline – 3-Day | November 26, 2026 |
| Late Online Deadline – 2-Day | November 27, 2026 |
| Premier Entry Fee | $120 early; $140 late; $150 on site |
| U1800 Entry Fee | $100 early; $120 late; $130 on site |
| U1500 Entry Fee | $80 early; $100 late; $110 on site |
| U1200 Entry Fee | $60 early; $80 late; $90 on site |
| Re-entry Fee | $40 before 09:15 on Saturday |
| US Chess Membership | Required |
| Contact Person | Richard Smouse |
| Contact Phone | +1 480 390 9528 |
| Contact Email | rick_smouse@yahoo.com |
Players should register early to secure the best entry fee. Moreover, they should make sure their US Chess membership is active before the tournament.
On-site registration remains available before the published deadlines. Late on-site registration may also be possible after Round 1 starts, with half-point byes for missed rounds.
👥 Organizer
Rising Star Chess organizes the Rising Star Thanksgiving Classic 2026. Richard Smouse directs the event and provides a full weekend format with rated sections, side events, and hotel-based playing conditions in Mesa.
Phone: +1 480 390 9528
Email: rick_smouse@yahoo.com
Website: https://www.risingstarchess.com
🏛️ Venue
Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton – 1011 West Holmes Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210, United States
The tournament takes place at Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton. The hotel venue gives players one practical location for games, lodging, meals, and rest during the weekend.
Boards, sets, and clocks are provided for all sections. Therefore, players do not need to bring their own chess equipment.
🛏️ Accommodation
Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton offers a chess group rate of $139 per night plus tax for single or double occupancy. Each additional adult costs $15 per night.
The hotel offer includes free parking and internet. Players should call the hotel and mention group code R14 when booking.
Hotel Phone: +1 480 833 5555
🚆 How to Get There
Players should travel to Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton at 1011 West Holmes Avenue in Mesa, Arizona.
Drivers can use the full hotel address for navigation and use the hotel’s free parking. Players arriving from outside Arizona can fly into the Phoenix area and continue to Mesa by car, taxi, rideshare, or local transport.
Since the 3-day schedule starts at 10:00 on Friday, players using that option should arrive in Mesa the day before or early on the first morning.
ℹ️ Other Information
Refunds may be requested until one hour before the start of Round 1. After that time, refunds are not available. All refunds include a 5% processing fee.
The U800 side event starts on Saturday, November 28, at 10:00. The blitz side event starts on Saturday evening at 19:30.
Rising Star Thanksgiving Classic 2026 offers a practical US Chess-rated Thanksgiving weekend in Mesa, with four sections, side events, provided equipment, and a hotel-based tournament setting.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $5,000
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Rising Star Chess is a United States chess tournament organizer based in the Mesa, Arizona chess scene. The organizer runs regular over-the-board events and gives players a clear calendar of weekend tournaments throughout the year. Its events usually take place at DoubleTree by Hilton Mesa, a practical hotel venue with easy road access for players from the Phoenix metro area and nearby cities.
Rising Star Chess focuses on US Chess-rated competition with structured sections, published schedules, online registration, and clear tournament policies. Richard Smouse leads the organizer’s activity and serves as the main contact for players. His long experience in Arizona chess gives the events a practical and familiar tournament style.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Rising Star Chess runs a busy annual program that includes monthly Rising Star Grand Prix events and several larger Classic tournaments. The 2026 schedule includes Grand Prix events across the year, plus holiday weekend events such as President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving tournaments.
The organizer offers several formats for different player levels. Events include regular-rated Swiss tournaments, blitz events, U800 sections, and larger multi-day Classic tournaments. In many events, players compete in rating-based sections, which helps create balanced pairings and realistic prize opportunities. In addition, titled players may receive special entry conditions in selected events.
The Rising Star Grand Prix Series gives regular players a season-long target. Players earn points by joining Grand Prix events and can add bonus points through prize finishes. At the end of the series, the highest point scorers receive cash awards. This gives Arizona players a strong reason to return throughout the season.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players can expect a clear and practical tournament experience from Rising Star Chess. Registration usually runs through King Registration, while the organizer publishes section rules, time controls, re-entry options, playing-up rules, refund policies, and round schedules before each event. Therefore, players can plan their tournament day with fewer surprises.
The events also suit a wide range of players. Stronger competitors can play in Open or Premier sections, while club players can choose rating-limited sections. Newer players can enter lower-rated or U800 events, which gives them a smoother start in rated chess. Moreover, blitz side events add a faster and more social option during larger tournament weekends.
Rising Star Chess gives the Mesa area a steady tournament hub. Its regular calendar supports local players, traveling competitors, juniors, families, and adult improvers who want reliable over-the-board chess in Arizona.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
