Hampton Roads Chess Association
presents the
VBPD Back-to-School Battle
Law Enforcement Training Academy
411 Integrity Way
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Saturday, August 29, 2026
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, August 27th! 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.
SCHEDULE
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
This event is for youth only -- 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
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:
AWARDS
ENTRY FEE
Registration for this event closes at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, August 27th! No last-minute or on-site registration!
Scholarship participants approved for discounts and Title I schools who need entry fee assistance MUST contact tournament organizer in advance to register. 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. There are absolutely NO refunds after registration closes.
Refunds will be given as a tournament credit ONLY. Eligible withdrawals will receive a $30 credit towards a future HRCA tournament, regardless of the entry fee amount paid. This is early entry rate less a $5 administrative fee. The credit will be valid for 1 year.
**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 for this event.
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).
Questions? Please contact the Tournament Organizer.
Tournament Organizer: For more information/questions, contact HRCA at tournaments@hrchessclub.org or 757-472-5909. 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.