Our WHY

• Being the only girl or woman in a chess club can be challenging.
  
  
• Thoughtless remarks—such as assuming an easy win because the opponent is female—are common and discouraging, and contribute to many girls and women leaving chess
  
  
• Girls and women are strong, capable competitors and also value connecting with others who share their experience in a male-dominated sport.

HRCA is committed to:

• Increasing the number of women and girls in our chess programs
  
  
• Creating a welcoming, respectful, and supportive chess environment for all female players

Girls Club

Ladies Club

Club Information

Girls Club and Ladies Club – VB both meet on Thursdays from 6-7PM, September-May. Fall session begins September 4th!
Virginia Beach Town Center Wegmans (in the Food Court) @ 4721 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Ladies Club – PSCC meets on Mondays from 5:15-6PM. Begins Sep 15!
Ivy Memorial Baptist Church, 2200 Coliseum Drive, Hampton

Rates for 2025-2026: You may join any of these clubs at any time during the season. Thanks to a very generous grant from US Chess and the St. Louis Chess Club (pending) and Wegmans VB for the use of space, we are able to keep fees low!

• Girls Club Tuition is $20/month plus a $20 non-refundable registration fee. HRCA membership and ChessKid Gold are now included.
  
• Ladies Club in both locations is FREE to attend, but please register with us below!
  
• Social events and Girls Rock Weekend may have separate fees.

We go the extra mile!

HRCA works hard to bring in occasional guest speakers and coordinating empowerment activities outside of weekly club.  Girls Club and Ladies Club participants are strongly encouraged to also participate in other HRCA programs such as Hampton Roads Scholastic Chess Club, school chess programs, our monthly tournaments, and annual Chess Girls Rock weekend event. Some tournaments also have designated girls/ladies trophies!

Past social events include a winter fun chess social, chess movie night with guest speaker WGM Jennifer Shahade, KidStrong & Smoothies event, Ninja Gym outing, and chess paint night!

Enrollment in all classes, clubs, and events are subject to HRCA’s Policies, including Code of Conduct, Financial Policies, and Youth Protection Protocols. Please see our Financial Policies and Scholarship Policy for more full payment and withdrawal information.

*As an Affiliate of US Chess, Hampton Roads Chess Association follows the US Chess Transgender Policy.

Financial Aid

We have limited financial assistance available, including payment plans and needs-based partial scholarships reserved for students with demonstrated financial need. If this applies to you, please complete our Financial Assistance Application HERE.   Your account will not be charged for your class until your scholarship application is processed and family contribution is determined. Please note that financial aid is restricted to those with genuine need, not to just lower the costs of tuition.

Ladies Club may require a payment on file at time of registration — you will not be charged. This club is free.

           

Registration is OPEN when the Register box below says “Register.” If it is blank, registration is NOT open for this class/club.