34th David Zofchak Memorial Open
September 19-20, 2026
Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront
5700 Atlantic Avenue
Registration for this event closes at 11:59 PM on Thursday September 17th. No last-minute / on-site registration.
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.
A VCF Cup Event
VCF membership is required for Virginia players in the main event only (Open, U1600, U1200).
Join or renew at www.vachess.org.
HRCA membership is not required for the tournament but is required to participate in Scholastic Cup awards.
For more information visit https://hrchessclub.org/scholastic-cup/
GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND $3,600
Hotel & Playing Site directly on the BEACH! Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront, 5700 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451; Chess Rate for lodging is $139 + taxes and resort fee (about $169 total). 2 Night minimum. ALL ROOMS ARE OCEAN VIEW!!!
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A ROOM AT THE CHESS RATE. Book by August 18th! Rooms will fill quickly, and this rate is not guaranteed after room block is full. After the deadline, contact the hotel's direct sales line at 757-428-4752 for assistance booking a room.
Hotel is located north of the main boardwalk in a quiet residential area, with fast food options a short drive away. Hotel restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at reasonable rates with an ocean view! See the menu here. ALL rooms have mini fridge and microwave.
Format
5 Rounds, Swiss System. All games are US Chess-rated except in the Rookie section. One half-point bye if requested prior to the start of Round 3. Re-entry allowed after Round 1 only for Open and U1600.
Sections
Main Event (Saturday and Sunday)
No unrated players in the Open Section. MINIMUM CURRENT RATING of 1400 Regular OTB to play in the Open section. MINIMUM CURRENT RATING of 1000 to play in U1600.
Saturday Scholastic
Sunday Scholastic (PK-12th)
Ratings for Sectioning and Prizes: We will use the September 2026 US Chess Rating Supplement (Regular OTB).
Entry Fees
Refunds
If you need to withdraw, please contact the Event Organizer below. Local players in the scholastic side events will receive a credit for a future tournament in the amount of $30 good for one year. All other players will receive a refund of 85% of entry fee paid if withdrawn through 9/13. Refunds drop to 50% thereafter. There are NO REFUNDS if withdrawn after the close of registration on Thursday, September 17th at 11:59 PM. Please check the ENTRY LIST before registering to make sure you do not register multiple times. You may also opt to DONATE your entry fee as a tax-deductible gift to HRCA.
Registration
Online at https://www.kingregistration.com/event/Zofchak26 through 9/17 at 11:59 PM.
There is no last-minute or onsite registration!
GUARANTEED Prizes
All payouts will be sent electronically to winner via Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. Prize winners must provide their payment method preference and contact information onsite. Prizes will be paid out within 24-48 hours of the event. Cumulative prize payments of $2000 or more each calendar year is reportable to IRS and requires issue of a 1099-MISC. Prizes crossing this threshold will not be paid out without player completion of a W-9.
Any prizes, monetary or non-monetary, not claimed within 14 days of completion of the event will be forfeited.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need help setting up the venue, keeping score in the Scholastic sections, helping with the chess store and selling raffle tickets, hall monitors, certified TDs and help with clean up! Click here to volunteer!
Zofchak Blitz
REGISTER SEPARATELY FOR THE FRIDAY NIGHT BLITZ (CLICK HERE).
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.