2024 Summer Camps

As we begin the final week of our inaugural year of chess camps in partnership with Cape Henry Collegiate School in Virginia Beach, we hope those who participated had a great time and learned a lot — we look forward to continuing to work with CHC next summer.

***NEW***

HRCA Mini-Camp

REGISTER HERE

When:  August 16-17 (Friday-Saturday), 9 am to 3:30 pm daily.  Students will pack a lunch and eat from 12-12:30 PM.

Where:  King’s Grant Presbyterian Church, 745 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach

Who:  Students in grades K-12 for the 2024-2025 school year — recommended for ages 6 and up.  Maximum of 24 campers per group.

Cost:  $150 per camper.  Contact us if you would like to apply for a needs-based scholarship.

Camp descriptions:

Beginner:  Don’t miss this last chance to get a crash course in chess fundamentals from HRCA’s Coach Brian this summer!  Students will learn the basic rules (including lesser-known rules for beginners such as castling, en passant, the ways a game can end in a draw, etc.) and objective of the game, the value of their pieces, how to make good trades, opening principles, basic checkmates, and an introduction to some basic tactics.  For students desiring to enroll in our premier youth tournament development club — Hampton Roads Scholastic Chess Club 00 for the 2024-2025 season, this mini-camp meets the prerequisite that new students must enroll with at least a starting knowledge of the basic rules of chess and be able to play through a complete game.

Intermediate:  In the modern era, young students have more tools than ever before at their disposal to study, improve, and enjoy chess.  Since many young students enjoy watching entertaining chess streamers on Twitch, YouTube, or other online platforms, our Intermediate mini-camp will be based on one of the most popular and humorous streamers today — International Master Levy Rozman, better known as GothamChess!  While Gotham himself will NOT be teaching the camp, our great HRCA coaches will be teaching the kids from his book “How to Win at Chess:  The Ultimate Guide for Beginners and Beyond.”  Based on enrollment, students will be divided into two groups by playing strength, led by Coach Jack and Coach Larry, with the lower group (U700) working on the first half of the book and higher rated students (up to 1300) working on the second half of the book.  The four key areas of openings, endings, tactics, and strategy will all be touched on in this camp.  Coaches will include instruction from the book, as well as relevant GothamChess videos.  The book is not provided or required, but parents may purchase it from Amazon (between $20-25).   This camp is NOT for beginners who lack a firm chess foundation.