2023 Virginia College Chess Championships

State Championship Event
Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel

Event Overview

2022-23 Virginia College Championships

March 25, 2023

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

See separate announcements for the Scholastic Championships, the Friday Night Blitz Tournament, and the Parents & Friends Side Event.

What: 2022-23 Virginia Scholastic & College Championships. The college event is open only to players attending any Virginia College or who are Virginia residents attending college out of state. High School players attending college are not eligible. The Top College Team award is only for Virginia-based schools.

When: Saturday, March 25, 2023 (the college tournament is a one-day event)

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. We encourage you to make a room reservation now, even if you are not 100% certain you will be attending the tournament.

Event Format4 rounds with players paired using the Swiss System. We will avoid pairing teammates as much as possible in Rounds 1 and 2. Everyone plays 4 rounds, this is NOT an elimination tournament!

Entry Fees and Registration:

  • Entry Fees: $60 through Saturday, March 18th; increases to $75 on Sunday, March 19th; $90 starting Thursday March 23rd and on-site. Entry on-site permitted only on Friday March 24th. The VA Chess Federation will retain $5 from any entrant who withdraws from the tournament before the start of Round 1.
  • Registration: On-line at www.vachess.org. Schools wanting to register and pay for their players should contact Mike Hoffpauir, VA Chess Federation (see Note 1 below).
  • One optional “Half-point Bye” available for any round of the tournament, including Round 4. Click here to read more about ‘Byes’ in chess tournaments.

Sections of Play: All college players will compete in the same section.

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.
  • Saturday, March 25th: Rounds 1 through 4 at 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. Awards Ceremony immediately after the final game is done.
  • Time Control: Game-60 with 5 seconds of time increment for all 4 rounds (G/60 + 5)

Ratings Used: Players will be paired using the higher of their US Chess over-the-board and online regular 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. Ratings from platforms such as Chess.com, Chesskid.com, Lichess.com, and ICC are not used.

Awards: Individual and Team awards in all sections. Cash Prizes to the top players based on the number of entries, plus Individual and Team trophies. A “team” is 2 or more players who attend the same college. If you have questions about player or team eligibility, contact Mike Hoffpauir (see Note 2 below)

Side Events:  See information and registration procedures at www.vachess.org

  • Blitz Tournament: 4 or 5 rounds on Friday evening March 24th, with Round 1 at 6:30pm. There will be a College Section if we have 3 or more players who register.
  • Parents and Friends Tournament: 4-rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Parents of college players are eligible to play in this side event.

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)
Address:

235 East Main Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
United States

Sections: 1
Grand Prix Points: 0
Prize Fund: TBD based on entries
FIDE Rated: No
Handicap Accessible: No
Residency Restriction: No
Online Event: No

Organizer Overview

Michael E Hoffpauir
Email: mhoffpauir@aol.com
Phone: 7578464805