Cooke Classic

January 10, 2026

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 Hampton Roads Chess Association

Cooke Classic

January 10, 2026

W.T. Cooke Elementary School
1501 Mediterranean Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

 

Kick off the new year with a scholastic tournament for students in grades Pre-K through 12 of all abilities in Virginia Beach! 
US Chess membership is required for Open, Novice U500, and "Rookie to Rated" sections.  

US Chess membership is NOT required for any other Rookie section.

Check your US Chess membership here

This is an HRCA Scholastic Cup Event!
HRCA membership is not required for the tournament but IS required to participate in the Scholastic Cup awards.  
New Memberships must be purchased within one week of event for points to qualify.   
For more information visit https://hrchessclub.org/scholastic-cup/

EVENT EXTRAS:

  • Concessions will be available from 10-2 for snacks and drinks only.  Concessions benefit the Cooke PTA.

SCHEDULE:

  • 8:30-9:30 - Arrival.  No onsite registration.

  • 9:30 AM - New Player Orientation

  • 10:00 AM -- Round 1 begins for all sections

  • Subsequent rounds will be "ASAP", meaning they will begin as soon as the previous round is complete.  Awards immediately     following the completion of the final round.  We cannot give an exact finish time -- likely around 5 PM.  

 

  •  Lunch:  A lunch break will be announced based on progress of the rounds.

                

PARTICIPANTS: 

This is a scholastic event, open only to youth in grades Pre-K through 12.  Open, Novice U500, and "Rookie to Rated" sections require US Chess membership.   No US Chess membership required for other Rookie sections.  HRCA membership is only required if you want your points counted for the HRCA Scholastic Cup. 

 

FORMAT:  

A Swiss System (like a bracket system -- not an elimination event!) tournament of four or five rounds based on entries.  Time control is G/40; d5, meaning each side has 40 minutes to complete all their moves, and the clock will not start counting down for the first 5 seconds of each move. Select a bye during registration ONLY if you know you will be missing a round due to a conflict with another event.  One half-point bye allowed if requested prior to the start of Round 3.

Section choices are:

  • K-3 Rookie:  Youth in grades Pre-K to 3rd with little to no tournament experience.  No rated players allowed.  US Chess membership not required.
  • K-5 Rookie:  Youth in grades 4th and 5th with little to no tournament experience.  No rated players allowed.  US Chess membership not required.
  • K-12 Rookie:  Youth in grades 6th-12th with little to no tournament experience.  No rated players allowed.  US Chess membership not required.

  • Rookie to Rated:  A special section ONLY for youth of any age playing in their very first rated event.  Must purchase a US Chess membership to register for this section.  
  • Novice (U500):  Youth who are US Chess members with a Regular over-the-board (OTB) rating Under 500.  The January supplement will be used. 

  • Open:  Youth who are US Chess members rated over 500.  Playing up is allowed.  

AWARDS: 

  • Individual: 
    • TROPHIES to the Top 5 finishers in each section.  Trophy to Top U700 in Open.  Trophy to Top U300 in Novice.  Trophy to Top K-1 in K-3 Rookie.
       
  • Team:  A team is comprised of two or more players from the same school, with the top four scores counting toward the team score.  Team awards for this tournament include: 
  • Top 3 Elementary School teams combined (Top 4 individual scores)

  • Top 3 Middle School teams combined (Top 4 individual scores)
  • Top High School trophy will be added if more than one team enters by December 27th.

ENTRY FEE: 

$35 Early Entry Fee through 11:59 PM on Sunday, December 14th.  $40 Standard Entry Fee through 11:59 PM Sunday, December 28th; $45 Late Entry Fee through 11:59 PM on Sunday, January 4th.  $50 Week-of Entry Fee through 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 8th.  PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE.  NO WALK-UP / ON SITE REGISTRATION.  Please note that entry fees are required to participate and are NOT tax-deductible.

REFUNDS:   If you need to withdraw, please contact the Event Organizer.   

Refunds will be given as a tournament credit ONLY.    Refunds create a lot of administrative work and loss of important operational revenue to HRCA.   Our default refund is to now give participants a CREDIT towards a future HRCA tournament.  The credited amount will be $30 and is valid for 1 year.  After December 28th, there is a 50% credit.  No refunds after January 8th.

**Please check the ENTRY LIST before registering to make sure you do not register multiple times.   Duplicate entries are subject to an administrative refund fee of $10.      

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 

 Volunteers help ensure our events run smoothly.  Please sign up for a spot to help us at Hampton Roads Chess Association: HRCA January Scholastic

Set up, Clean Up, hall monitors, scorekeepers, CERTIFIED Tournament Directors (TDs), and assistant TDs (not certified) are needed.    

CONTACT US:

For more information/questions, contact the Tournament Organizer, Tina, at cschweiss2@hrchessclub.org or 757-472-5909.  
Email is the fastest way to reach us.    

POLICIES and RULES:

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.    Please note only designated areas of the facility are open to players and guests.   No one is allowed in undesignated areas (including classrooms) at any time.   No drop-offs for youth under age 14. 

 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 hrca@hrchessclub.org.