2023 Virginia College & Blitz Championships

2022-23 Virginia Scholastic & College BLITZ Championships

Friday, March 24, 2023 – Round 1 at 6:30pm

Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel; 235 East Main St.; Norfolk, VA 23510

See separate announcements for the Scholastic and College main tournament and the Parents & Friends Side Event.

What: 2022-23 Virginia Scholastic & College BLITZ Championships. This is an OPEN tournament, there are no residency or school attendance restrictions.

When: Friday, March 24, 2023, with Round 1 at 6:30pm sharp!

Where: Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel; 235 East Main St.; Norfolk, VA 23510. Hotel reservations available at the Early Bird Rate of $124 per night (plus taxes) through Saturday, Jan 7, 2023. Rates increase on Sunday, Jan 8thto $135 per night. Click here to Reserve your hotel room, or contact the hotel at 800-874-0264 and mention “Virginia Open Chess Tournament” as the Group Name.

Event Format:  4 or 5 double-rounds with players paired using the Swiss System. Each round consists of 2 games, one played with the White pieces and one with the Black pieces. We make every effort to avoid pairing teammates as much as possible in Rounds 1 and 2. This is NOT an elimination tournament!

Entry Fees and Registration:

• Entry Fees: $30 through Saturday, March 18th; increases to $40 on Sunday, March 19th and on-site. On-site registration closes at 6pm on Friday March 24th. Players arriving after 6pm may not be paired for Round 1.
• Registration: On-line at www.vachess.org.
• No half-point Byes for the Blitz Tournament.

Sections of Play: Three Sections: K-5, 6-12, or College. The College section not open to High School players who are attending college.

Event Schedule & Time Controls for the College Section:

• Friday, March 24th: On-site Registration at the hotel from 4-6pm. Blitz Tournament starts at 6:30.
• Time Control: Game-5, with no time increment or delay (G/5).

Ratings Used: Players will be paired using the higher of their US Chess over-the-board and online Regular AND Blitz ratings found in the US Chess Rating Supplement for March 2023 (to be published by the US Chess Federation on or after Feb 17, 2023). These same ratings determine eligibility for prizes. Established ratings have priority over provisional ratings. Ratings in other systems such as FIDE or from another country will considered, especially if the player lacks a US Chess rating. Blitz Ratings from platforms such as Chess.com, Chesskid.com, Lichess.com, and ICC are not used.

Awards:

• Individual and Team awards in the Scholastic Sections. A “team” is 2 or more players who attend the same school.
• Individual awards ($$$) in the College section. Value of cash awards will be based on the number of college players who play Blitz.

Notes:

1. A current US Chess Federation membership is required for all participants. Renew your membership or become a new member at www.uschess.org and select the “Join” tab at the top of the screen. If you are a current member, please have your US Chess ID number handy.
2. Event Organizer: Virginia Chess Federation, Mike Hoffpauir, Click here to show mail address, 757-846-4805 (text)