Ernie Schlich Memorial Tournament

Hampton Roads Chess Association

Ernie Schlich Memorial Tournament

Saturday, November 14, 2026
Law Enforcement Training Academy · Virginia Beach

Play great chess. Celebrate a lasting legacy.

Bring your best moves and join us in honoring Ernie Schlich, HRCC founder and HRCA co-founder. We’re celebrating his passion for helping young players grow, his love of Quick Quads, and the community he helped build.

Choose your challenge: youth players can compete in our Scholastic Swiss, including welcoming Rookie sections, while players of all ages can enjoy Quick Quads. There’s a place for first-time competitors and experienced players alike!

Choose Your Section & Register

Register by Thursday, November 12 at 11:59 p.m. EST. 
Advance online registration is required. No onsite registration.

Two Ways to Play

Scholastic Swiss — Pre-K through Grade 12
Open to students in public, private, virtual, and homeschool settings for the 2026–2027 school year. Choose a Rookie, Novice, or Open section based on experience and rating.

Quick Quads — All Ages
Enjoy a small-group competition with players grouped by rating. Both US Chess members and non-members are welcome; non-members will play in separate, unrated quads.

HRCA membership is not required for either event.

Schedule

• 8:30–9:30 a.m.: Arrival and check-in
• 9:30 a.m.: New Player Orientation
• 10:00 a.m.: Round 1 begins for all sections

Scholastic Sections

• K–4 Rookie: For students in Pre-K through Grade 4 with little or no tournament experience. No rated players. US Chess membership is not required.
• K–8 Rookie: For students through Grade 8 with little or no tournament experience. No rated players. US Chess membership is not required.
• Novice — Under 500 & Unrated: For students in Pre-K through Grade 12 who are US Chess members and have a Regular over-the-board rating below 500, or are unrated. The October rating supplement will be used. Unrated players are eligible for place prizes or Top Unrated prizes only. This section may be split further by rating if registration exceeds capacity.
• Open: For students in Pre-K through Grade 12 who are US Chess members. All ratings and unrated players are welcome; this section is designed for players rated over 500. Playing up is allowed. Unrated players are eligible for place prizes only. This section may be split further by rating if registration exceeds capacity.

US Chess membership is required for Novice and Open. It is not required for Rookie sections.

Quick Quads Format

• Players of all ages are grouped into quads of four, starting with the highest-rated players.
• Play each opponent twice—once with White and once with Black.
• Format: Three double round-robin rounds, for six games total.
• Time control: G/20; d3—20 minutes per player, with a 3-second delay per move.
• Rated quads will be submitted for US Chess Quick ratings. Non-members will play in separate, unrated quads.

Prizes with a Personal Connection

Scholastic Swiss

• Trophies for the top five finishers in each scholastic section.
• Special chess book selections from the personal library of Ernie and Joan Schlich for Top Under 700 in Open, Top Under 300, and Top Unrated in Novice, and Top K–2 in K–4 Rookie.
• Medals for players with an even score who finish below the trophy standings.
• A special memorial bookmark for every participant.

Quick Quads

• In celebration of Ernie’s sense of humor, special joke book prizes! Books will be selected based on entrants’ ages.
• A special memorial bookmark for every participant.

School Team Awards

• Scholastic team standings combine results across sections, with awards at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
• Place ribbons for all team participants on the top three teams at each school level.

Entry Fees & Registration Deadline

• $45 through Sunday, November 8.
• $50 November 9–12, until registration closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 12.

Register by November 8 to save $5—and be part of a day that celebrates chess, community, and Ernie’s lasting impact. Choose your section and make your next move!

Register for the Ernie Schlich Memorial

Final deadline: November 12 at 11:59 p.m. EST. 
No registrations will be accepted after the deadline or onsite.