About HRSCC

HRSCC is a full-service youth competitive chess program that includes ability group-based training from beginner to advanced, and tournament games every week. 

Founded in February 2014, HRSCC has trained hundreds of kids in the foundations of chess, given them hands-on tournament experience, and provided all the guidance and support they need to take their game as far as they want to go, from being the best casual player on the block to becoming a National Master.  Many of our HRSCC “graduates” are still playing competitively at an advanced level. This program is a full school-year program, running from September-June. We will accept mid-year enrollments at specific times.

Studies show that the greatest life and academic benefits accrue from systematic study and structured tournament play, and this is an integral part of our program. HRSCC uses a system of FUN incentives to encourage kids to study and practice outside of club, and to participate in tournaments outside of club.  Kids are recognized and rewarded for hard work, regardless of the outcome. 

Our driving philosophy is to ignite a passion and love for the game of chess that will burn brightly and motivate the kids to put in the work and improve.  We never pressure kids to win, and we emphasize that we never “lose” — we only “learn.”  We encourage families to partner with us in this approach to maximize student success.

What if my child isn’t ready for competition?  

HRSCC is a tournament club, so students are expected to participate weekly in that portion of the night. If they are not ready, HRSCC offers three pre-competitive feeder classes alongside the tournament club on Tuesday nights — Guppy Chess, Seahorse Chess, and Minnow Chess.  

Students may also prepare for HRSCC by completing an HRCA foundational course through one of our school chess or other community (e.g. Rec Center) programs.

We also offer occasional “Rookie training camps” and workshops and tournaments to prepare students for their first competition.

Students can also prepare themselves for HRSCC through self-study on ChessKid.com. HRCA offers a 20% discount on Gold accounts.

Once in HRSCC, students are divided for classes and tournament play by ability group, to provide a nurturing environment at just the right level of challenge each step of the way.

We work with families to determine a child’s readiness to move up to higher levels based on chess skill and emotional maturity.  Every child at HRSCC moves at their own pace, and there is never any pressure to move up too quickly.

Where/ When does HRSCC meet?

King’s Grant Presbyterian Church – 745 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach.

HRSCC meets on Tuesday nights from 5:00-7:00/7:15 PM from September-early June.

Mid-year admissions: Due to the complexity of coaching groups of children by ability and the variety in our weekly tournament schedule, there are only certain dates we can roll new members into HRSCC.  For 2025-2026, new students may join during fall registration period but no later than September 16th. New students may join again beginning January 6th and not later than January 20th.

HRSCC Schedules

Enrolled students will receive a full schedule. Schedules are also available in your Parent Portal under class RESOURCES. Updates and changes to schedules are shared with enrolled students. *Please note that our Parent Portal Calendar does not currently support customized class schedules, so this calendar may show as having meetings when we are actually closed or having virtual class. The newsletter and website are the best places to check for schedules.

When our facility is unavailable or there is inclement weather, we will have club virtually on ChessKid.com. 

Parents MUST notify HRCA of any absences in advance via our Parent Portal to help us plan accordingly.

Curriculum

Coaches have the discretion to teach whatever material is appropriate for the ability group they are teaching and based on an initial assessment of their students.  HRCA coaches have a variety of experience teaching different chess curriculums and use a combination of different resources.

All HRSCC students receive ChessKid Gold accounts. ChessKid is the premier online chess resource for kids, and we strongly incentivize our students to use their accounts at home for study and practice.

HRSCC Coaches

Our coaches are all certified by US Chess and have passed a background check through HRCA.  They are experienced and knowledgable and are all seasoned chess players. We take great care in assigning the right coach to the right group at HRSCC! We also have volunteer Assistant Coaches, who are usually teenagers or parents with chess knowledge that have also met our background check requirements. They do not lead the class, but are there to offer extra support to our students! Learn more about our coaching staff at: https://www.hrchessclub.org/about-hrca/

Family Volunteer Commitment

 
Each family must commit to 1 night of volunteer duties at the club each semester.

If you are interested in volunteering at HRSCC or other HRCA programs, please visit our Volunteer page to complete our volunteer application.

Costs

Financial information for 2025-2026 is not yet available. Information below applies to the 2024-2025 year.

Annual Registration Fee:

Tuition: HRSCC tuition is a flat monthly fee student. HRSCC is a full school-year program, but we do accept students through winter. Monthly tuition represents a total program cost evenly spread across nine months from September to May.  We do not prorate in months with fewer in-person meetings.  This tuition is all-inclusive — students will not pay extra for entry fees for Tuesday night tournaments, awards, curriculum, or any other expenses associated with their participation in HRSCC.  While our year-end award ceremony will take place in June, no tuition is due for June. 

Please note that weekend tournaments, optional workshops, camps, and club apparel/merchandise, etc. are not required and have a separate cost and registration.

Autopay: HRCA requires autopay for tuition.  We will charge your non-refundable Annual Registration Fee to the account on file within 72 hours of enrollment. We will post tuition to your Parent/Student Portal approximately one week before payment is due.   To avoid autopay, you may log into your Parent/Student Portal and make your own payment early.  Otherwise, HRCA will process payments on the first of each month that tuition is due, beginning in September. Payments will be processed upon enrollment for students who register AFTER the 1st of the month.

Multi-Sibling Discounts:    TBD

Withdrawals: It is important that you notify us as soon as possible if you need to withdraw. Please reach out to us first at hrca@hrchessclub.org to see if we can find a different accommodation.  Withdrawal notification is required no later than the 15th of the month (or 2 weeks notice) for the month ahead.  

Failing to notify HRCA after the 15th will result in your account being charged if you are on a monthly billing or payment plan.   There are no refunds for missed sessions or failure to notify HRCA. 


Please refer to HRCA’s Billing and Payment Policy in your Parent Portal for more info, including our refund processes.

Financial Assistance & Registration

We have limited financial assistance available, including payment plans and needs-based partial scholarships reserved for students with true financial need.   If this applies to you, or you just need a monthly payment plan for tuition, please complete our Financial Assistance Application HERE.   Your account will not be charged for your class until your scholarship application is processed and a co-pay (if any) is determined.