Rising Star Independence Day Classic

Fri, Sat, Sun on July 3rd-5th

Location:
Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton, 1011 W Holmes Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210
Easy freeway access from Route 60, take the Alma School Rd exit north.

Format:
Six round Swiss style Tournament
3-day and 2-day schedules are available.
G/90;+30 for all rounds
G/30;+5 for rounds 1-3,
G/90;+30 for rounds 4-6

4 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 July 2026 USCF Regular ratings will be used for section eligibility, pairings,
and prize eligibility. Higher unofficial USCF ratings might be used for playing up, or for other purposes.
• 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: Arizona Independence Day U800, Saturday, Jul 4 @ 10:00 am
• Special Side Event: Arizona Independence Day Blitz, Saturday, Jul 4 @ 7:30 pm

Prizes:
$5000 Prize Fund (based on 100 paid entries):
Premier (1800 and Up): $1000/$500/$250, 1st U2000 $125, 1st Female $125
U1800 (1500-1799): $750/$375/$200, 1st U1650 $100, 1st Female $100
U1500 (1200-1499): $450/$250/$100, 1st U1350 $50, 1st Female $50
U1200 (100-1199): $300/$150/$75, 1st U800 $25, 1st Female $25

Schedule:
3-day rounds: Sat, Sun, Mon: 10:00 am and 3:00 pm each day.
2-day rounds:
Sat: Rd 1 10:00 am, Rd 2 11:30 am, Rd 3 1:00 pm, Rd 4 3:00 pm.
sun: Rd 5 10:00 am, Rd 6 3:00 pm
*2-day players will merge with the 3-day players on saturday at 3:00 pm in round 4.

Entry Fees:
Free entries for any GM, WGM, IM, WIM, FM, or WFM.
No prize deduction for FIDE titled players if entered on or before Jan 31st, 2026.
$120 deducted from FIDE titled players’ prize winnings if entered after Jan 31st.

Premier (1800 and Up): $120 early, $140 late, $150 on site.
U1800 (1500-1799): $100 early, $120 late, $130 on site.
U1500 (1200-1499): $80 early, $100 late, $110 on site.
U1200 (100-1199): $60 early, $80 late, $90 on site.

Re-entry:
3-day players may re-enter into the 2-day schedule before 9:15 am on Saturday for a $40 re-entry fee

Registration:
Please register online at:

www.kingregistration.com/register/RSMayClassic26

Online Registration: Rising Star Independence Day Classic Registration
Early online registration is available through Jun 20 for the 3-day or Jun 21 for the 2-day
Late online registration is available through Jul 2 for the 3-day or Jul 3 for the 2-day.
On-site registration is available on or before 9:30 am on Jul 3 for 3-day or 9:30 am on Jul 4 for 2-day
Late on-site registration is available with half-point byes for any preceding rounds that are missed.

Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix/Mesa 1011 W Holmes Ave, Mesa, AZ, 85210
Group rate: $129/night + tax for single or double occupancy. $15/night for each additional adult. Free parking and internet.
Reservations: Click here for the link for special chess group rate online or call (480) 833-5555 with Group code: 938

NOTE: If you cannot reserve your desired room selection on your desired dates at the group rate for any reason, please contact us BEFORE checking in and we’ll try to get the group rate applied to your reservation. We can usually get the group rate applied as long as you have not yet checked in and did not book your room through a third-party booking agency.

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

Rising Star Chess

www.risingstarchess.com