HRCA's Ernie Schlich Memorial Tournament

November 14, 2026

VBPD Law Enforcement Training Center · 411 Integrity Way · Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Map
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Hampton Roads Chess Association
a 501c3 community nonprofit 

presents the

Ernie Schlich Memorial Tournament

VBPD Law Enforcement Training Academy

411 Integrity Way

Virginia Beach, Virginia

 

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Join us as we honor HRCC founder and HRCA Co-founder Ernie Schlich by celebrating two of his favorite things – educating and empowering the next generation of chess players and Quick Quads.

 

 

Choose from:
Quick Quads (all ages)
- or -
Scholastic Swiss Tournament (for youth in Pre-K through 12th grade for the 2026-2027 school year.) 
 

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.

Registration for this event closes at 11:59pm EST on Thursday, November 12th!  No last-minute or on-site registration.

HRCA Scholastic Cup Event!
HRCA membership is not required for the tournament but is required to participate in Scholastic Cup awards.  Both the Scholastic and the Quads count for Scholastic Cup points.  
Check your membership status or purchase membership HERE 

SCHEDULE

  • 8:30-9:30 - Arrival/Check-in 

  • 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.  Players may bring lunch or go to any one of a number of nearby restaurants.

Please feel free to bring camp chairs/picnic blankets, snacks/lunch and quiet activities to stay entertained during the day.  Parent/designated guardians of elementary/middle school-aged players are expected to remain onsite for the duration of the event.  

PARTICIPANTS

Quick Quads

  • All ages, rated and unrated.
  • Quads participants may be US Chess members or non-members.  Non-members will be separated into non-rated Quads. 

Scholastic Swiss Tournament

  • This event is for youth only.  Participants must be in Pre-K through 12th grade in any schooling format - public, private, virtual, or homeschooled - for the 2026-2027 school year.
  • US Chess membership required for Open and Novice -- these are rated sections. 
  • US Chess membership is NOT required for Rookie sections. 

 

 

HRCA membership is not required.

FORMAT  

 

Quick Quads

  • For Players of all ages - rated and unrated. Divided into groups of 4 from the top down by rating.  Play everyone in your group twice -  once as white, once as black.  Rated sections will be submitted for quick rating.
  • 3RR Double G/20; d3  

 

Scholastic Event

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-4 Rookie:  For youth in grades Pre-K through 4th with little to no tournament experience.  No rated players allowed.  US Chess membership is not required. 
  • K-8 Rookie:  For youth up to 8th grade with little to no tournament experience.  No rated players allowed.  US Chess membership is not required.

  • Novice (U500) and Unrated:  Youth in grades PK-12th who are US Chess members with a Regular over-the-board (OTB) rating Under 500.  The October supplement will be used.  Unrated players are allowed in the Novice section and are eligible for place prizes or Top Unrated prizes only. If registration exceeds section capacity, section may be further split by rating.
  • Open:  Youth in grades PK-12th who are US Chess members -- unrated or of any rating -- but designed for players rated over 500.  Playing up is allowed.  Unrated players are allowed in the Open section and are eligible for place prizes only. If registration exceeds section capacity, section may be further split by rating.

 

 

AWARDS

Quick Quads

  • Ernie had a great sense of humor, so we are offering special joke book prizes! Specific book will be decided based on age of entrants. 

  • Special memorial bookmark to all participants.

Scholastic

  • TROPHIES to the Top 5 finishers in each Scholastic section.  

  • Special chess book selection from the personal library of Ernie and Joan Schlich for:
    • Top U700 in Open section
    • Top U300 and Top Unrated in Novice section
    • and Top K-2 in K-4 Rookie section. 

  • Medals to players with an even score below trophy standings.  
  • Special memorial bookmark to all participants.

 

Team Awards

  • Scholastic teams are cross-section.  Top Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

  • Place ribbons to all team participants in the top three teams in each school level.

 

 

ENTRY FEE

Quick Quads or Scholastic Tournament 

  • $35 Early Entry Fee through 11:59 PM on Saturday, September 19th. 
  • $40 Standard Entry Fee through 11:59 PM Sunday, October 11th;
  • $45 Late Entry Fee through Sunday, November 8th.  
  • $50 last minute entry fee until registration closes at 11:59 PM on Thursday November 12th.    

  

Registration for this event closes at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, November 12th.  No last-minute or onsite registration!
No player transfers (swaps)  after registration closes. 

 

Scholarship participants approved for discounts and Title I schools who need entry fee assistance MUST contact HRCA@hrchessclub.org before registration closes.   Please note that entry fees are required to participate and are NOT tax-deductible.

 

REFUNDS 

 

If you need to withdraw, please contact the Tournament Organizer (tournaments@hrchessclub.org or 757-472-5909) as early as possible.  There are NO refunds or substitutions permitted after registration closes. 

Registrations are assigned to the participant named at registration and may not be transferred informally. Anyone requesting a substitution must contact HRCA before registration closes. All substitutions require approval and consent forms for the replacement participant.  

Participants who do not attend will be treated as no-shows under the applicable refund and credit policy.

Refunds will be given as a tournament credit towards future HRCA events, less a $5 admin fee.  Credit will be valid for 1 calendar year. 

  • Eligible withdrawals will receive a $35 credit towards a future HRCA tournament, regardless of the entry fee amount paid. This is the standard entry rate less a $5 administrative fee.  

  • Eligible Title I students using approved discount code will receive a credit towards a future HRCA tournament for the amount of coupon, less a $5 administrative fee. 

DUPLICATE ENTRIES:  Please check the ENTRY LIST before registering to make sure you do not register multiple times. Duplicate entries will be refunded less a $10 administrative fee. 

TOURNAMENT VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED! 

Volunteers help ensure our events run smoothly and that players and families have an enjoyable experience.   Volunteer spots include set up, clean up, hall monitors, scorekeepers, CERTIFIED Tournament Directors (TDs), and assistant/junior TDs (not certified). 

Click here to volunteer 

 

Questions?  

Please contact the Tournament Organizer at tournaments@hrchessclub.org or text 757-472-5909.  
Email is the fastest way to reach us.    

  

Policies and other Important Information

  

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/guardians/designated adults are responsible for supervising their children and guests.

  • Only designated areas of the facility are open to players and guests - No one is allowed in undesignated areas at any time.
  • Touching of school property, such as artwork or displays, will be grounds for removal from the venue.  
  • 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/Published Results 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.  Though publicly available, HRCA will only use the winner's first name/last initial (if necessary) when publishing tournament results on our website or social media platforms. 

 By attending an HRCA event, you consent to have your image/name 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.