Rising Star October Grand Prix

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Location:

Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton
1011 West Holmes Ave
Mesa, AZ 85210

Format: 4-round Swiss tournament

Time Control: G/45;+10

Six Sections:
     Open (2000 and up)
     Class A (1800-1999)
     Class B (1600-1799)
     Class C (1400-1599)
     Class D (1200-1399)
     U1200 (1199 and Under)
     Players within 100 points of rating floor of a higher section may play up for an additional $5.

Important:
     • All sections USCF dual-rated.
     • USCF membership required (may join or renew here: USCF join or renew or on site).
     • The official published October 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 two half-point byes are available. Half-point byes must be requested no later than
       30 minutes before the round starts for rounds 1-2. Half-point byes for rounds 3-4 must be requested
       before the start of round 2 and may not be revoked after round 2 starts.
     • Boards, sets, clocks AND pens will be provided for all sections.

Prizes: $1000 Prize Fund (based on 80 paid paid entries):
       Open:    1st -- $120, 2nd -- $90, 3rd -- $60, 1st U2200: $30
       Class A: 1st -- $90, 2nd -- $60, 3rd -- $40
       Class B: 1st -- $60, 2nd -- $45, 3rd -- $30
       Class C: 1st -- $60, 2nd -- $45, 3rd -- $30
       Class D: 1st -- $60, 2nd -- $45, 3rd -- $30
       U1200:   1st -- $40, 2nd -- $30, 3rd -- $20, 1st U800: $15

All players earn Rising Star Grand Prix points. See Rising Star Grand Prix Policy for details.

Schedule: Round times: Rd 1: 9:00 am, Rd 2: 11:10 am, Rd 3: 1:35 pm, Rd 4: 3:45 pm

Entry Fees: $30 on or before Fri, Sep 25, $35 on or before Wed, Sep 30, $40 on or before Fri, Oct 2, $45 on-site Sat, Oct 3

Free entry for any GM/WGM/IM/WIM/FM/WFM
     No prize deduction for FIDE titled players if entered on or before Fri, Sep 25, 2026
     $30 deducted from FIDE titled players' prize winnings if entered after Fri, Sep 25, 2026

Re-entry: Players may re-enter after 1st or 2nd round with half-point byes for previous rounds.
                 Re-entry fees: $5 after round 1, $10 after round 2.

Online Registration: Rising Star October Grand Prix Registration
Online registration is available until 11:59 pm MST Fri, Oct 2nd
On-site registration is available until 8:30 am on Sat, Oct 3rd before round 1.
After round 1 starts, late on-site registration is available with half-point byes for any previous rounds.

Hotel:
Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton, 1011 W Holmes Ave, Mesa, AZ  85210
Group Code: TBD
Phone Reservations: (480) 833-5555
Online Reservations:  Group Reservations

If you cannot reserve your desired room selection for 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