Chess for Women & Girls – Hampton Roads Chess Association

Join our Girls & Women’s Chess Programs, where strategy meets sisterhood!

Whether you’re brand new to chess or looking to sharpen your skills for competitive play, these programs are designed to provide a supportive, engaging space for girls and women to grow and thrive through chess.

Coaching and mentorship

Weekly meetups and practice sessions
Social events

Opportunities to compete in local and national tournaments

The Challenge

For various reasons, women and girls make up only around 15% of total US Chess members across the country!

Like many clubs across the country, HRCA has faced challenges in retaining girls in chess beyond the elementary years. We’re actively working to change that.

Our Approach

At Hampton Roads Chess Association, we are deeply committed to improving both the recruitment and long-term retention of girls in chess throughout our region. Thanks to generous grant funding from the United States Chess Federation, we’re able to invest thousands of dollars each year into specialized programming designed to support, inspire, and empower girls and women at every stage of their chess journey.

We are creating spaces where girls can build confidence, connect with mentors, and stay engaged in chess for the long term. As a result, our youth programs boast a far greater number of girls than the national average!

At HRCA, we understand that not every girl—or every child—is drawn to competitive chess. And that’s okay!

Beyond its well-known academic and life benefits, many girls say that chess gives them a powerful boost in self-confidence. We’ve also observed that girls naturally connect with one another in club settings, often seeking out peers who share their experiences and interests.

To support this, we launched the Girls Chess Club—a welcoming, supportive space where girls can learn, play at their own pace, and build friendships with other girls. If you are looking for a fun, low-pressure environment, this club offers a community where girls can grow and shine through chess. Girls Chess Club runs from September to May, taking a break over the summer months.

Our Girls Rock Chess Club has weekly meetings for informal instruction and casual play, social events during the year, and a big, annual empowerment/tournament weekend!

Ladies Chess

Looking for a casual, no-pressure way to enjoy chess and connect with other women? Join us for our Ladies’ Chess Club—held weekly in the food court of Virginia Beach Wegman’s in Town Center!

This meet-up is perfect for teen girls (ages 14+) and women who just want to unwind with a game (and maybe a snack!). No clocks, no stress —just good company and great conversation over the board!

There is no cost to attend. We have some boards/pieces available for use, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Ladies Club is led by one of HRCA’s amazing volunteers, and runs alongside our Girls Chess Club from September to May. From June-August, the meet up schedule is based on volunteer availability. Please text us at 757-447-0756 to make sure we are meeting before you come out!

All skill levels welcome, but no instruction is available. Come as you are! If you are a female chess enthusiast and would like to volunteer, please let us know at hrca@hrchessclub.org

Chess Girls Rock Weekend

While girls regularly compete alongside boys in tournaments—and succeed—they sometimes enjoy the unique camaraderie and encouragement that comes from an event just for them.

In 2023, HRCA launched a special weekend dedicated to chess, empowerment, and community for girls, called Chess Girls Rock. The response was incredible. We had 44 participants the first year. The weekend is full of activities for girls to connect, play chess, share their various academic gifts (art, math, writing), and challenge themselves with indoor rock climbing. We also have an all-female Tournament Director team for this event.

In 2024, participation increased to 65 girls. In 2025, the event expanded to include a Beginner Girls Chess Camp and a new Ladies Tournament Section, welcoming adult women into the celebration and strengthening our commitment to inclusive, multi-generational engagement. This year we saw 75 participants!

This annual weekend is more than just chess—it’s a celebration of confidence, connection, and community.

HRCA strongly encourages all girls to attend the All-Girls National Championship in Chicago every April.