Event Overview
5th Coastal Virginia Open
January 31 - February 1, 2026
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 $89 + taxes and resort fee (about $112 total). ALL ROOMS ARE OCEAN VIEW!!!
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A ROOM AT THE CHESS RATE. Book by January 16th!!! 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 Scholastic 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 JANUARY 2026 US Chess Rating Supplement (Regular OTB).
Entry Fees:
- Open and U1600: Early Bird entry fee $95 through Sun 1/4; $110 through Sun 1/18; $125 through Sun 1/25; $140 through Thursday 1/29 at 11:59 PM; No on-site entry. Re-entry fee $30. GM/IM/FM/WGM/WIM/WFM players free -- Entry fee in effect at time of registration 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 January 18th!! CONTACT US IN ADVANCE FOR A UNIQUE COUPON CODE LINKED TO YOUR US CHESS ID. Entry fee in effect at time of registration will be deducted from any prize money earned.
- U1200: Early Bird entry fee $75 through Sun 1/4; $85 through Sun 1/18; $95 through Sun 1/25; $105 through Thursday 1/29 at 11:59 PM. No on-site entry. No re-entry
- Scholastic side events: Early Bird entry fee $35 through Sun 1/4; $40 through Sun 1/18; $45 through Sun 1/25; $50 through Thursday 1/29 at 11:59 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. This credit drops to $15 after 1/24. All other players will receive a refund of 85% of entry fee paid if withdrawn through 1/24. Refunds drop to 50% thereafter. There are NO REFUNDS if withdrawn after the close of registration on Thursday, January 29th at 11:59 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. Donation receipts will only be issued for withdrawals up to close of registration.
Registration:
Online at https://www.kingregistration.com/event/CVO26 through 1/29 at 11:59 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 (conditions apply); 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 (conditions apply)
- 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 3 K-3, Top K-1. Medals to all other players with plus or even score. Ribbons to the remainder. No team trophies.
Schedule and Time Controls:
- Open, U1600, and U1200: G/90+10 for all rounds
- Sat Jan 31st: Round 1, 2, and 3 at 10AM, 2:30PM, and 7PM.
- Sun Feb 1st: Rounds 4 and 5 at 10AM and 2:30PM
- Scholastic U800: G/40; d5 for all rounds
- Sat Jan 31st ONLY. Rounds start at 10, 12, 2, 4, and 6
- Scholastic Rookie: G/25; d3 for all rounds
- Sun Feb 1st ONLY. Rounds start at 10, 11:15, 12:30, 1:45, and 3:00
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.
Policies and other Important Information
Safe Play and Code of Conduct: It is our goal to provide a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Community partnerships are vital to HRCA, and we want to ensure we remain good stewards to our partners and their facilities. There is a lot of downtime during tournaments -- parents are responsible for supervising their children when they are not playing a scheduled match. Running through the facility and horseplay/roughhousing area prohibited.
By registering and attending in this event (as participant or guest), you acknowledge and agree to abide by the US Chess Federation's Safe Play Policy, and HRCA's Code of Conduct and General Liability Waiver and Release. For more information on Safe Play or HRCA's Code of Conduct and General Liability Waiver and Release, please click the BLUE links above. Violations of these policies may result in warnings, or ultimately, disqualification or dismissal from the event without refund.
Photo Policy: Please be advised that photos and/or videos may be taken at HRCA events for use in HRCA's marketing, grant reporting, educational, news, or other promotional materials, whether in print, electronic, or other forms of media, including on our website and social channels. HRCA will not identify images using the full names of those photographed without express written permission. By attending an HRCA event, you consent to have your image recorded for distribution and agree to release, defend, hold harmless, and indemnify HRCA from any and all claims, including compensation, involving using your picture or likeness. If you wish to opt-out, you can make your wishes known to the photographer, and/or the event organizers, and/or contact HRCA at Click here to show mail address.
5700 Atlantic Avenue
, VA 23451
United States