Vancouver Chess School
Chess background

In-Person & Online Chess Classes and Tournaments,
Trusted by World Champions!

Vancouver Chess School has guided over 5,000 juniors to success — including 3 World Champions, FIDE Masters, and countless national & provincial champions — through our proven 12-level program, expert coaching, and exciting tournaments. Starting at $100 CAD/month.

What are our superpowers?

3
World
Champions
Titles
3
FIDE masters
17+
Years of
Experience
5K+
Students
9K+
Tournaments
17K+
Lessons
200+
Five-star
Reviews

Our Stars & Stories

🎖️ Levy Rozman Receives the VCS Signature Medal of Honour

Levy Rozman, known as GothamChess, sends his best wishes to all Vancouver Chess School students and shares his hope to visit Vancouver one day.

Karson Lu 👑 Crowned U7 FIDE Rapid World School Champion 2024!

Huge congratulations to Karson Lu on his incredible victory at the U7 FIDE Rapid World School Championship 2024 in Callao, Lima, Peru! 🏆 A remarkable achievement that brings pride to Vancouver Chess School and inspiration to all our juniors.

Hikaru Nakamura’s Legendary Visit to VCS! ✨

During a special training session, Hikaru Nakamura surprised our Team BC and Sunday Chess Club students! He played blitz, signed autographs, posed for selfies, and was awarded the very first VCS Signature Gold Medal — now officially named the Hikaru Nakamura Medal 🥇. A truly unforgettable day for all our young players!

Elliot McCallum Wins Gold at the FIDE World School Championships 2023! 🥇

Huge congratulations to our Grade 1 Provincial Champion, Elliot McCallum, on his sensational victory in the U7 category at the FIDE World School Championships 2023 in Rhodes, Greece (April 13–23). A proud moment for Elliot, VCS, and the entire Canadian chess community!

Elliot McCallum Presents VCS Signature Medal to Super GM Wesley So 🌟

At the 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship, 9-year-old Elliot McCallum proudly awarded the VCS Signature Medal to Super GM Wesley So, celebrating his brilliance, sportsmanship, and inspiration to young players worldwide. A powerful symbol of respect across generations — from a rising talent to a living legend. 🙌♟️

Zhu Chen, 9th Women's World Chess Champion, Supports VCS.

We are proud to have the long-time support of Zhu Chen, the 9th Women's World Chess Champion. Over the years, we've exchanged ideas, class materials, and curriculum with her, strengthening our mission to provide world-class chess education. In this video Zhu Chen wishes all the best to the students and parents of Vancouver Chess School in their chess journey. 

Our 3 pillars of excellence

Proven 12-Level Curriculum

Our structured program ensures that every student - beginner to advanced - follows a clear path to mastery. Each level builds on the last, developing logic, tactics and strategic thinking.

Curriculum illustration

World-Class student success

We've taught over 5,000 students, with multiple National & Regional Champions - and 3 World Champions and 3 FIDE Masters trained at our school. Your child joins a winning tradition.

Student success illustration

Innovative Chess platform & Games

Our Chess heroes platform offers interactive lessons, challenges and rewards, on a state of the art custom-built platform, designed to engage and motivate young learners.

Chess platform illustration

What parents are saying

Praveen Lazer
Nov 10, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vanchess has been really helping my son to stay focused and helping him to build confidence. So far I am really happy with my son's progress and looking forward to participating in their future camps ...

Jenny Li
Apr 12, 2016
Google 5 stars

My son has been learning chess in VCS for three years, and he enjoyed classes/plays very well. The school has not only taught kids chess in classes, but also given them many opportunities to apply wha...

Isabel R
Apr 22, 2021
Google 5 stars

The Vancouver Chess school took my son’s interest in chess and sparked an obsession. My son used to believe most things are “easy” or he would have difficulty with failures. However, this che...

Cat Queen
Feb 17, 2022
Google 5 stars

My daughter has been taking chess lessons with VCS for two years now. After trying out different activities, chess is the only one that she's enjoyed and kept going. The coaches are amazing and patien...

Jiahe Zhang
Dec 21, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vancouver chess school is best chess school in Vancouver! My son starting private chess class with wonderful teacher Ms. Urna since 6 years old, right now he is 8 years old, chess is still his famous ...

Kim Nguyen
Apr 4, 2023
Google 5 stars

Chess classes and tournaments at Vancouver Chess School has significantly transformed our kid's chess study journey. He started barely understanding anything about 6 months ago, and is now able to com...

Jennifer Russel
Jan 10, 2021
Google 5 stars

At the Vancouver Chess School, students learn much more than Chess!! It is a fun, inclusive and welcoming school, where students have the opportunity to compete at a high level, but more importantly ...

Kelly Meng
Mar 19, 2021
Google 5 stars

My son enjoys learning chess from this school and has been in this school more than 3 years. The teachers are very kind, respectful and professional. My son loves to attend the classes there. All the...

Lin Lin
Sep 4, 2021
Google 5 stars

My kids enjoy learning and playing at Vancouver Chess School. Both the classes and tournaments are well-organized and the teachers are super friendly and patient. The kids are always encouraged to le...

An Xia
Sep 10, 2021
Google 5 stars

My son really like this school, the coaches there are patient and professional, he's made a huge improvement during these two years....

Mandy Cordingley
Feb 24, 2024
Google 5 stars

All the teachers are very talented and patient with kids. My kid excels at this school very fast. There are online and in person classes and tournaments that can accommodate everyone. I highly recomme...

Radin SP
Apr 2, 2023
Google 5 stars

The best place that you can play chess in Vancouver....

Hugh Jo
Oct 31, 2024
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess school is one of the best with great education, teachers are all kind and patient with big smile....

Linda Shen
Sep 2, 2021
Google 5 stars

This is a great place to let your child learn playing chess. The teachers are extremely friendly and experienced. The school is well organized with different levels and tournament opportunities, very ...

Crystal
Jun 3, 2020
Google 5 stars

In Vancouver Chess School, there has a complete and systematic chess education system, rich and interesting practice resources, and tournaments for all levels players weekly and monthly. Most importan...

AN NA LEE
Jul 2, 2024
Google 5 stars

My child had a great experience here. She got so much interest in chess after taking summer camp here. They even provide pizza lunch for camps....

Vera Cui
Apr 11, 2021
Google 5 stars

Great chess school! My son Sky loves learning and playing chess at VCS....

Ryan Leong
Oct 23, 2024
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is not just a chess school. It is a place where children foster many different skills such as decision making, adapting to a competitive environment, and an opportunity to give ...

Khangmin Lee
Mar 15, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School has given my 2 kids a fun, intellectual and safe space to hang out with other like-minded children. They have very competent and experienced instructors. Both their in-person (p...

Christy Xie
Feb 27, 2024
Google 5 stars

VCS is great place to learn chess. My son really loves their programs. They have both online and office classes which are thoughtfully designed, blending theorectical knowledge and practical play. The...

All reviews

5 stars

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Explore our programs for every
young chess player

Group Lessons

Group Lessons

Small groups led by experienced coaches. Kids progress through our 12-Level curriculum with games, fun homework, and teamwork.

Join a Group lesson
Private Lessons

Private Lessons

One-on-one coaching tailored to your child's strengths. Get rapid progress and personalized attention at every step.

Book a Private lesson
Tournaments

Tournaments

From beginners to national contenders - our rated events help kids sharpen skills and boost confidence in a fun, supportive setting.

Join a Tournament

Start your chess journey
in 4 easy steps

Test icon

Take the test

Find your child's level with our free online assessment.

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Register

Create your student account in our secure platform.

Lesson icon

Try a lesson

Book a free trial class to get started.

Enjoy icon

Enjoy!

Watch your child grow in confidence
and skill.

Our Unique Chess Learning Methodology:
A Pathway to Mastery

At Chess Heroes Academy, we believe every child learns best when they're challenged and inspired. That's why we built a 12-level system tailored to their unique pace - whether they're just starting or already making brilliant moves.

Assessment

Not sure which program
is right for you?

Take our quick free online test

Take the test

Our level system

Absolute
Beginner
Beginner
Advanced
Beginner
Pre-Knigt
Knight
Pre-Bishop
Bishop
Pre-Rook
Rook
Pre-Queen
Queen
King
Chess teaches

What chess teaches your child -
on and off the board

Test icon

Take the test

Find your child's level with our free online assessment.

Test icon

Focus, memory & concentration

By remembering strategies and analyzing opponents, kids sharpen focus and build memory - essential for school success.

Test icon

Academic performance

Studies show chess improves math, reading, logic, and critical thinking - all leading to stronger academic outcomes.

Test icon

Confident decision - making

In chess, kids learn to assess risks and make choices under pressure - building judgment they'll use far beyond the board.

Where Play Builds Real Skills

Chess Heroes is more than a game —
it's a powerful learning tool.
Through fun challenges, quests, and battles, students sharpen their critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills — all while staying engaged and motivated.
With unlimited practice in tactics, positional play, and endgames, every move helps them grow — both as chess players and thinkers.
A smart, safe, and enriching way for kids to build real skills while having fun.
Your Strength, Your Journey –
Make It Legendary

Top performers

Celebrating the achievements of our rising stars - students who've stood out in recent tournaments and events.

King of the Hill

Sam Zhao

King of the Hill

Fire Streak King

Frederic Wang

Fire Streak King

Fire Streak Queen

Dasha Doroshenko

Fire Streak Queen

Celebrating students achievements

Andre Regis

Andre Regis has been promoted to Knight level.

Sean Chen

Sean Chen has been promoted to Pre-Bishop level.

Paris Chen

Paris Chen has been promoted to Knight level.

Brian Zang

Brian Zang has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Aarshia Gupta

Aarshia Gupta has been promoted to Knight level.

JACK XU

JACK XU has been promoted to Pre-Bishop level.

Karl Aguirre

Karl Aguirre has been promoted to Rook level.

Charlie Tang

Charlie Tang has been promoted to Rook level.

Echo Fang

Echo Fang has been promoted to Bishop level.

Tamen Abbaspour

Tamen Abbaspour has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Our events

Build Confidence Weekly!

23Jun
Play. Improve. Repeat.

25Jun
Prime Time Battle

25Jun
Over the Board. Real Battles.

26Jun
Learn. Play. Make New Friends.

26Jun
⭐ Daily Puzzles