HRCA National Chess Week Events

Hampton Roads Chess Association announces a series of events taking place during National Chess Week, October 5-12, 2024!

 

VBCPS Staff Day Rookie Training Camp and Tournament (Intro to Chess Tournaments)

Monday, October 7, 2024

10 AM to 5 PM

Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library
Libris and Folio Rooms
4100 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA

What:  Join us on a VBCPS Staff Day (no school for students) for this unique opportunity for new players to learn tournament rules and procedures and play in a tournament with other "Rookies" in a nurturing, supportive environment designed specifically to introduce them gently to the world of competitive chess!  The morning will consist of training and hands-on practice, and the afternoon will feature a complete chess tournament with awards!  We will play four rounds in the afternoon.  This is not an elimination event.  This is NOT a US Chess rated event.  The time control for the games is G/25; d5 -- meaning each player has 25 total minutes to make all their moves, with a 5 second grace period each move before any time is deducted from the clock.  This camp is limited to 75 students. 

Parents/Guardians, please complete this additional Google Form AFTER registering to let us know if you will remain onsite and who is authorized for student pick-up:   https://forms.gle/F19UkWAgDGkg3HDC6 

 

Where: Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, Libris and Folio Rooms, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA.  Upon entering the front doors of the library, go through the glass doors to your right to find the meeting rooms -- you will not enter the main library at all.

 

Who:  Open to youth players in grades Pre-K through 12 from any location and attending any school - public, private, or homeschool.

You must NOT have a US Chess rating -- all players must be UNRATED.  It is ok if you already joined US Chess, as long as you have never played in a rated event.

Sections consist of PK-3rd grade, 4th/5th grade, Middle School and High School Combined (6th-12th grade).  You must play in your age group.  Notation is REQUIRED for ALL players (ask on site about case-by-case exceptions, e.g very young pre-writers).  They will learn how in the morning!

 

Volunteers needed!  Volunteers are needed to help set up, clean up, keep score, and help with camp.  Great opportunity for parents staying onsite.  Certified TD is also needed.  Teens with chess experience also welcome to help.    Please sign up at:  https://bit.ly/rookie-fall24volunteer

 

When:  MONDAY, October 7, 2024

• 10-10:30 AM -- Check-in / On-site Registration
   
• 10:30-11 AM -- Introduction to chess tournament rules and procedures
   
• 11-11:30 AM -- How to take chess notation with hands-on practice
   
• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM -- Practice game(s) with hands-on Q&A and assistance
   
• 12:30-1:00 PM -- Lunch Break - PACK A LUNCH
   
• 1:00 PM -- Tournament begins.  Subsequent rounds (4 total) will be held "ASAP" -- meaning as soon as each section finishes a round, they will quickly be paired and seated for the next round.  Awards will be presented to each section immediately upon completion of their final games and calculation of results.

 

Awards:  Trophies to the Top 5 individuals in each section.  Additional trophy to the Top PK-1st grade player in the PK-3rd grade section.  Medals to all other players with at least an "even" score, and ribbons to remaining participants.  ALL players are recognized by name at the award ceremony.  No school teams.
 

Entry Fee:  $35 through Monday Sep 30,  $40 from 10/1 -10/4, $45 thereafter.  
NO ONSITE REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS EVENT. 

 

Refunds:  If you need to withdraw, please contact the Event Organizer below then complete our new refund form to indicate your refund preference.   A $10 refund fee applies to ALL refunds prior to the start of Round 1.  There are NO refunds after tournament begins.  Please check the ENTRY LIST before registering to make sure you do not register multiple times.   

We have 3 refund options.  Please complete our new REFUND form to indicate your preference: 

• CASH REFUND - Receive the adjusted refund back to your original payment method (via Stripe)  
• CREDIT - Receive a credit for the adjusted refund amount for a future tournament.    
• DONATE - You may donate your adjusted refund amount to HRCA as a tax-deductible gift.  

 

Questions: Christina Schweiss, Hampton Roads Chess Association, hrca@hrchessclub.org, 757-472-5909

 

Parents/Guardians, please complete this additional Google Form AFTER registering to let us know if you will remain onsite and who is authorized for student pick-up:   https://forms.gle/F19UkWAgDGkg3HDC6 

 

 

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.   

 

HRCA follows US Chess Federation's Safe Play Guidelines.  Your attendance indicates your agreement to 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. 

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FREE chess workshops - beginner and intermediate - at Denbigh Community Center in Newport news, 6:30-8:00 pm, October 10th.  Contact cschweiss2@hrchessclub.org for more information

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National Chess Day 2024
Scholarship Fundraiser

 

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

 

October 12, 2024

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Center Court
MacArthur Center
300 Monticello Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23510

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This event is generously sponsored in honor of Raiden Ervin Syed's 4th Birthday, corresponding with National Chess Day!

ALL proceeds from this event benefit HRCA's Scholarship Fund.  
This fund provides needs-based financial assistance to HRCA members to help cover costs of chess classes, tournaments, and other chess-related programs.  HRCA provides an average of $5,000 each year in needs-based scholarships.  

Learn more about our scholarship program HERE

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The following activities are available FREE all day!

Chess lessons, chess variations fun tables, coloring contest, puzzle contest, casual chess

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Two tournaments!

Main Event: 

4-Round Swiss (not an elimination event - similar to a bracket system) tournament at a "Quick" time control of G/25; d3 (each player has 25 minutes to make all their moves, with a 3-second grace period per move during which no time comes off the clock).  Five sections for all ages and abilities:  Open (US Chess rated), Amateur (US Chess rated U1000), Novice (US Chess rated U500), Senior Rookie (not US Chess rated, beginners in middle school (6th-8th), high school (9th-12th), and adults), and Junior Rookie (not US Chess rated, beginners in elementary school (PK-5th). 

 

Awards:
Trophies to the Top 5 players in each section, Top U1300 in Open, Top U700 in Amateur, Top U300 in Novice.  

Medals to all other players with an even score (2 points) or better.  

Ribbons to all other players. 

NO Team Trophies 

 

Entry Fees:   
Please register in advance to avoid overwhelming the organizers onsite!   

$35 thru 10/5.  Price increases to $40 from 10/6-10/9, and is $45 for late and onsite registrations 10/10-10/12. 

FREE entry to walk-up members of the public who are NOT existing HRCA players members and not US Chess members. 

 

Blitz:

Register separately for the blitz at www.kingregistration.com/event/NCDBlitz24
4 double rounds (play the same player twice, once as black and once as white) Swiss system with a time control of G/5; d0.  One section only, must be a US Chess member.  

Awards:. Cash Prizes -   $100-75-50 (1st-3rd), Top U1200 $50, Top U800 $50

Entry Fees:   $20 online through 10/5, $25 10/9-10/9, and $30 late and onsite registrations 10/10-10/12

Refunds:  If you need to withdraw, please contact the Event Organizer below then complete our new refund form to indicate your refund preference.   A $10 refund fee applies to ALL refunds prior to the start of Round 1.  There are NO refunds after tournament begins.  Please check the ENTRY LIST before registering to make sure you do not register multiple times.   

We have 3 refund options.  Please complete our REFUND form to indicate your preference: 

• CASH REFUND - Receive the adjusted refund back to your original payment method (via Stripe)  
• CREDIT - Receive a credit for the adjusted refund amount for a future tournament.    
• DONATE - You may donate your adjusted refund amount to HRCA as a tax-deductible gift.  

 

Event timeline:

• 11 AM Check-in / On Site Registration Opens -- Players participating only in the main event who are registered and paid in advance do not need to check in.  Arrive prior to the start of the first round at 2 PM, or 1:30 if you need new player orientation.  On site registrations must be before 1:45 to be paired for the first round.
   
• 11 AM to 7 PM -- chess lessons, chess variations fun tables, coloring contest, puzzle contest, casual chess
• 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM -- Blitz Tournament
• 1:30 PM -- New Player Orientation
• 2:00 PM -- Round 1 of Main Event
• 3:15 PM -- Round 2 of Main Event
   
• 4:30 PM -- Round 3 of Main Event
• 5:45 PM -- Round 4 of Main Event
   
• NLT 7:00 PM -- Awards Ceremony for Main Event

Volunteers needed!  Volunteers are needed to help set up, clean up, teach chess basics, keep score, and be HRCA ambassadors.   Certified TDs are also needed.  Teens with chess experience are welcome to help!  Please sign up at:  https://bit.ly/ncd24volunteers

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Questions?  Contact Tina at cschweiss2@hrchessclub.org or 757-472-5909

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 hrca@hrchessclub.org.   

 

HRCA follows US Chess Federation's Safe Play Guidelines.  Your attendance indicates your agreement to 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.