Hampton Roads Chess Association
presents
National Chess Day 2026
Raiden's Lightning Chess Arena
October 10, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Old Donation School
4633 Honeygrove Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Free event! Pre-registation is requested.
This event is sponsored in honor of Raiden Syed's 6th Birthday and will be held in conjunction with National Chess Day!
Thanks to this generous sponsorship, 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
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.
Looking for information or to register for the Main Event? CLICK HERE.
The Lightning Chess Arena is a separate event held at the start of the day,
from 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM.
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: Free event
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.