33rd David Zofchak Memorial Open

33rd David Zofchak Memorial Open

September 27-28, 2025

Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront

5700 Atlantic Avenue

Registration for this event closes at 6 PM on Thursday September 25th.  No last-minute / on-site registration.

A VCF Cup Event
VCF membership is required for Virginia players in the main event only (Open, U1600, U1200). 
Join or renew at www.vachess.org.

HRCA Scholastic Cup Event!
HRCA membership is not required for the tournament but is required to participate in Scholastic Cup awards.  
For more information visit https://hrchessclub.org/scholastic-cup/

 

GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND $3,600

Hotel & Playing Site directly on the BEACH! Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront, 5700 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451; Chess Rate for lodging is $139 + taxes and resort fee (about $169 total).  ALL ROOMS ARE OCEAN VIEW!!!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A ROOM AT THE CHESS RATE.  Book by September 12th!!! Rooms will fill quickly, and this rate is not guaranteed after room block is full.   After the deadline, contact the hotel's direct sales line at 757-428-4752 for assistance booking a room.

Hotel is located north of the main boardwalk in a quiet residential area, with fast food options a short drive away.  Hotel restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at reasonable rates with an ocean view!  See the menu here.  ALL rooms have mini fridge and microwave. 

Format: 5 Rounds, Swiss System. All games are US Chess-rated except in the Rookie section.  One half-point bye if requested prior to the start of Round 3.  Re-entry allowed after Round 1 only for Open and U1600.

Sections: Open, Under 1600, and U1200 in the main event.  No unrated players in the Open Section.  MINIMUM CURRENT RATING of 1400 Regular OTB to play in the Open section.  MINIMUM CURRENT RATING of 1000 to play in U1600.  One-day scholastic (PK-12th) side events U800 (Saturday) and Rookie (Sunday).   

Ratings for Sectioning and Prizes: We will use the September 2025 US Chess Rating Supplement (Regular OTB).

Entry Fees:

• Open and U1600:  Early Bird entry fee $95 through Sat 8/30; $100 through Sat 9/13; $120 through Sat 9/20; $140 through Thursday 9/25 at 6 PM; Re-entry fee $30.  GM/IM/FM/WGM/WIM/WFM players free -- $100 entry fee will be deducted from any prize money earned.  Free entry should be identified in the registration system.  Contact us if you have trouble.
• US NATIONAL MASTERS PLAY FREE IF ENTERED BY September 13th!!  CONTACT US IN ADVANCE FOR A UNIQUE COUPON CODE LINKED TO YOUR US CHESS ID.  $100 entry fee will be deducted from any prize money earned.
• U1200:  Early Bird entry fee $75 through Sat 8/30; $80 through Sat 9/13; $95 through Sat 9/20; $105 through Thursday 9/25 at 6 PM.  No re-entry
• Scholastic side events:  Early Bird entry fee $35 through Sat 8/30; $40 through Sat 9/13; $45 through Sat 9/20; $50 through Thursday 9/25 at 6 PM. 

Refunds: If you need to withdraw, please contact the Event Organizer below.  Local players in the scholastic side events will receive a credit for a future tournament in the amount of $30 good for one year.  All other players will receive a refund of 85% of entry fee paid if withdrawn through 9/20.  Refunds drop to 50% thereafter.  There are NO REFUNDS if withdrawn after the close of registration on Thursday, September 25th at 6 PM.   Please check the ENTRY LIST before registering to make sure you do not register multiple times.   You may also opt to DONATE your entry fee as a tax-deductible gift to HRCA.

Registration:
Online at https://www.kingregistration.com/event/Zofchak25 through 9/25 at 6 PM.

There is no last-minute or onsite registration!

GUARANTEED Prizes:

• Open Section (1st-3rd): $900, $600, $400; Top U1800 $200; Top Upset Rounds 1 and 2, $25 each. 
• Under 1600 Section (1st-3rd): $600, $400, $200; Top Unrated - Chess Set and Clock plus one-month free Chess.com Diamond membership and Chessable Pro if you have never had a paid account; Top Upset Rounds 1 and 2, $25 each
• U1200: $200 and Trophy to 1st; Trophies to 2nd-5th; Top Unrated: Chess Set and Clock plus one-month free Chess.com Diamond membership and Chessable Pro if you have never had a paid account
• Scholastic U800:  Trophies to Top 5 overall finishers, Top U500, Top U300, and Top Unrated.  Medals to all other players with plus or even score.  Ribbons to the remainder.  No team trophies.
• Scholastic Rookie:  Trophies to Top 5 overall, Top K-5, Top K-3, Top K-1.  Medals to all other players with plus or even score.  Ribbons to the remainder.  Free one-year US Chess membership to all players with a perfect score.  No team trophies.

All payouts will be sent electronically to winner via Venmo, CashApp, PayPal, or Zelle. Prize winners must provide their payment method preference and contact information onsite. Prizes will be paid out within 24-48 hours of the event. Cumulative prize payments of $600 or more each calendar year is reportable to IRS and requires issue of a 1099-MISC.  Prizes crossing this threshold will not be paid out without player completion of a W-9.

Any prizes, monetary or non-monetary, not claimed within 14 days of completion of the event will be forfeited.

• Schedule and Time Controls:
• Open, U1600, and U1200:  G/90+10 for all rounds
  • Sat Sep 27th: Round 1, 2, and 3 at 10AM, 2:30PM, and 7PM.   
  • Sun Sep 28th: Rounds 4 and 5 at 10AM and 2:30PM
• Scholastic U800:  G/40; d5 for all rounds
  • Sat Sep 27th ONLY.  Rounds start at 10, 12, 2, 4, and 6
• Scholastic Rookie:  G/25; d3 for all rounds
  • Sun Sep 28th ONLY.  Rounds start at 10, 11:15, 12:30, 1:45, and 3:00

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - We need help setting up the venue, keeping score in the Scholastic sections, helping with the chess store and selling raffle tickets, hall monitors, certified TDs and help with clean up!     Please sign up for a slot HERE.

REGISTER SEPARATELY FOR THE FRIDAY NIGHT BLITZ (CLICK HERE).

Tournament Organizer:  For more information/questions, contact Tina at [email protected] or 757-472-5909.  Email is the fastest way to reach us.