Hampton Roads Chess Association
presents
National Chess Day 2026
Scholarship Fundraiser
October 10, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Raiden's Lightning Chess Arena
10:30 AM - 5 PM NCD Tournament
Old Donation School
4633 Honeygrove Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Registration for this event closes at 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 8th. No last-minute or on-site registration!
This is a scholarship fundraising event. There are no refunds or credits for entry fees paid.
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/
HRCA chess tournaments are NOT drop-off events for youth under the age of 14. Please ensure you have arranged for a responsible adult to accompany your child to the tournament and stay for the duration. This can be a parent or guardian, a friend or relative, or parent of a friend or teammate staying on site and agreeing to be responsible for your child.
This event is generously sponsored in honor of Raiden Syed's 6th 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
The following activities are available FREE all day!
Chess variations fun tables, coloring activities, casual chess
Two Events!
Main Event
Format: 4 - 5 Round (based on entries) Swiss 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). This is not an elimination event, but similar to a bracket system. Players should plan to stay for all rounds, unless bye is requested.
Six sections for all ages and abilities:
Open (US Chess rated - advanced) -- for adults and kids
Amateur (US Chess rated U1000) -- for adults and kids
Novice (US Chess rated U500) -- kids / scholastic only
K-12 Rookie (not US Chess rated, beginners in middle school (6th-8th), high school (9th-12th))
K-5 Rookie (not US Chess rated, beginners in grades 4th-5th)
K-3 Rookie (not US Chess rated, beginners in elementary school (PK-3rd)
Awards:
Trophies to the Top 5 players Open, Amateur, Novice, K-5 Rookie, and K-3 Rookie. Top 3 in K-12 Rookie. Top U1300 in Open, Top U700 in Amateur, Top U300 and Top Unrated in Novice, Top PK-1st grade in K-3 Rookie.
Medals to all other players with an even score or better.
Ribbons to all other players.
School Teams -- There are no school team trophies for this early season fundraising event.
If not attending the award ceremony, any prizes not claimed within 14 days of completion of the event will be forfeited.
Entry Fees:
$35 Early Bird rate thru 9/5. Standard entry fee $40 from 9/6-9/20. Late entry fee $45 9/21-10/4. Last-minute / "week of" entry fee $50 10/5 to close of registration at 11:59 pm on 10/9. Scholarship funds cannot be used to waive or lower fees for this tournament, as it is the primary fundraiser for the scholarship fund. NO coupon codes will be issued.
Raiden's Lightning Chess Arena
Register separately for the Lightning Chess arena HERE.
Format: Arena-style, double, G/1; d0. Players will choose their own opponents and play a double round -- two games with each opponent (one white, one black), recording their own scores on provided scoresheets. Upon completion, find another opponent and play the same format. You may play as few or as many games as you like during the designated time period. Not a rated event. US Chess membership not required. Open to any player.
Awards: None
Entry Fees: none
Refunds: This is a scholarship fundraising event. There are no refunds or credits for entry fees paid. Any withdrawals prior to the close of registration will convert to tax-deductible donations.
Event timeline:
There will be no set lunch break. Players should not plan to leave the facility due to ASAP pairings.
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! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!
Tournament Organizer: For more information/questions, contact HRCA at tournaments@hrchessclub.org or text 757-447-0756. Email is the fastest way to reach us.
Policies and other Important Information
Please note only designated areas of the facility are open to players and guests. No one is allowed in undesignated areas at any time.
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 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.