Learn to Play Beginner Chess Classes

Absolute Beginner

• Brand new to chess
• Learning how to set up board and move pieces
• May know the pieces but can’t yet play through a full game
  
• Goal: Understand how to set up board, all basic moves, and the object of the game – play a complete game of chess

Suggested Classes:

• Guppies (Ages 4-6)
• Seahorses (Ages 7-13)
• Learn to Play class
• Beginner class at Community or School Chess Program

Beginner

• Knows the pieces and their movements
• Knows basic rules of game
• Can play through a game, even if poorly
  
• Goals: Play full games independently and start learning opening principles, piece values, checkmates, and defense

Suggested Classes:

• Minnows (ages 6+)
• Learn to Play Class
  Beginner class at Community or School Chess Program

Advanced Beginner

• Can play full games independently
• Can defend pieces and make good trades
• Knows basic opening principles and a few checkmate patterns
  
• Goal: Learn basic tactics, learn to take chess notation, improve and build strong fundamentals to prepare for competitive or intermediate play.
  
  
  Suggested Classes:
  
• Rockfish/Barracudas (HRSCC unrated)
• Beginner class at Community or School programs if needing to hone skills. Intermediate classes if ready for more challenge.
  

This class is specifically designed for absolute beginners ages 4-6 (Pre-K through 1st grade).  If students show mastery of the basic rules of the game before they turn 7, they are encouraged to move up to our Minnows Class or our youth development club Hampton Roads Scholastic Chess Club.

Guppies are required to have a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult or older sibling in the classroom with them to ensure better classroom management and active engagement for our youngest children. It is also critical to the success of the program, as families can review and practice what they learned at home.  Repetition is key at this age! There are 12 classes in each session.

Tuesday evenings – 5:15-6:00 PM
King’s Grant Presbyterian Church
745 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach  

• Tuition is $174 per session
  • Includes HRCA youth membership & ChessKid Gold account!
    
    
  • $20 Non-refundable Registration fee is due at time of enrollment.
    
    
• Register EARLY! Standard Registration closes 8/30 for Fall session. Late registrations may be accepted up to the 2nd week of the session if space is available, with a $40 registration fee.

Fall session: Sep 2-Dec 9 (no class 11/4, 11/25, 12/2)

Winter session: Jan 6-Mar 31 (no class 2/17)

Seahorses was added to our class lineup in early 2025 to meet a demand for beginner classes for kids who have aged out of Guppies, but are not quite ready to join HRSCC. This course will teach the fundamentals of chess to students with no or minimal knowledge of the game, from piece movement, openings, checkmates and basic tactics. Parents of younger students should remain onsite.

Upon course completion, students may be able to enroll in Minnows, HRSCC — our premier youth tournament club, or even take our intermediate level classes and camps. HRCA staff will advise on best placement for your student.

Tuesday evenings – 6:15-7:00 PM
King’s Grant Presbyterian Church
745 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach 

• Tuition is $174 per session
  • Includes HRCA youth membership & ChessKid Gold account!
    
    
• $20 Non-refundable Registration Fee is due at time of enrollment.
  
  
• Register EARLY! Standard Registration closes 8/30 for Fall session. Late registrations may be accepted up to the 2nd week of the session if space is available, with a $40 registration fee.

To better serve our students, we have separated Minnows from HRSCC to have shorter sessions and remove the tournament portion from their evening. Minnows class is suitable for beginners who already know the basics and can play through a game, even if poorly or with some assistance. This class will help students sharpen their skills so they are confident playing games casually, or even in tournaments! Students will start learning to play more independently, and learn defense, piece values, opening principles, and basic checkmates.

Upon course completion, Minnows graduates may be able to enroll in HRSCC, our premier youth tournament club, or even take our intermediate level classes and camps. The sky is the limit!


Tuesday evenings – 5:15-6:00 PM
King’s Grant Presbyterian Church
745 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach 

• Tuition is $174 per session
  • Includes HRCA youth membership & ChessKid Gold account!
    
    
• $20 Non-refundable Registration Fee is due at time of enrollment.
  
  
• Register EARLY! Standard Registration closes 8/30 for Fall session. Late registrations may be accepted up to the 2nd week of the session if space is available, with a $40 registration fee.

Learn to Play on the Peninsula is back!

Introduction to chess for complete beginners ages 6-adult. This course will teach the fundamentals of chess to kids, teens, and adults with no or minimal knowledge of the game. Topics include piece movement, defense, calculations, openings, checkmates, and basic tactics. Students can stay afterwards to play/practice at the casual club. Parents should remain onsite for our younger players.

Monday Evenings – 5:30-6:15 PM
Ivy Memorial Baptist Church
2200 Coliseum Drive, Hampton

• Tuition is $160 per session
  • Includes HRCA youth membership & ChessKid Gold account!
    
    
• $20 Non-refundable Registration Fee is due at time of enrollment.
  
  
• Register EARLY! Standard Registration closes 8/30 for Fall session. Late registrations may be accepted up to the 2nd week of the session if space is available, with a $40 registration fee.

Fall session: Sep 15 – Dec 15 (11 weeks)

Class dates: 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6,*10/20, 10/27, 11/3, *11/17, 11/24, 12/1,*12/15.
(No classes the nights of monthly cash tournaments)

HRCA and Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation have partnered to bring Beginner and Intermediate level chess classes to the community.

Beginner classes are suitable for Absolute Beginners, and Beginners. Advanced Beginners may take this class if they’ve never had formal training or wish to ensure they have a strong foundation before moving on to tactics and strategy.

Intermediate classes are suitable for Advanced Beginners who are ready for more challenge, as well as Novice and Experienced players.

We now have TWO Virginia Beach Rec Center locations available to better serve you!

• Kempsville Rec – These sessions are held Monday evenings from 6:30-7:30PM and last 9 or 12 weeks. Classes are open to Adults and Youth ages 7+.
  Fall classes begin Sep 8th.

• Princess Anne Rec – These sessions are held Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30PM and last 9 or 12 weeks. Classes are open to Adults and Youth ages 7+. Only the Beginner Class is available for Fall Session. Classes begin Sep 4th.

Virginia Beach Rec Center membership and a class fee is required to participate. Please register and pay directly with the respective Recreation Center hosting classes. HRCA financial aid is NOT available for Rec Center classes.

HRCA partners with local libraries across Hampton Roads to bring chess programming to youth in the community.

Chess programs are offered at various libraries throughout the region, but not all are affiliated with HRCA. We proudly partner with the following library branches to provide high-quality instruction, experienced coaches, and structured programming:

Slover Library (Norfolk) – no classes currently scheduled

Interested in starting a chess program at your library? Contact us!