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
10K+
Tournaments
17K+
Lessons
200+
Five-star
Reviews

Our Stars & Stories

Echo Heming Fang — World Youth Bronze! 🥉🌍

Echo Heming Fang — World Youth Bronze! 🥉🌍

Echo finished 3rd (tied for 2nd) in Girls U7 at the 2026 FIDE World Youth Championship in Spain with 8.5 / 11! ♟️✨ So proud of you, Echo! 👏

🎖️ Levy Rozman Receives the VCS Signature Medal of Honour

🎖️ 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!

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! ✨

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! 🥇

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 🌟

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.

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

crystal zhu
Mar 22, 2023
Google5 stars

My son loves Vancouver Chess School, he had a lot fun and learned a lot....

Wendy Yuan
Apr 20, 2023
Google5 stars

Our son has spent his last two years in VCS. It is first time we’ve seen our son become so dedicated and passionate about something. We can tell he loves chess and he is improving himself on all asp...

Jia Feng
Jun 29, 2023
Google5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is a great place for the children who like chess. My son really have a great time here....

Serena Wang
Mar 20, 2023
Google5 stars

我们强烈推介温哥华象棋学校,孩子在这个机构学习了一年多,进步非常大。 老师尽职尽责,不断激励孩子们坚持每天练习,完成习题,而且在这里�...

H. Liang
Aug 5, 2022
Google5 stars

Overall, VCS is a great school with amazing coaches at various levels. Highly recommended to all kids and adults interested in chess improvements. We taught our daughter the game of chess during th...

Christopher Bissonnette
Apr 3, 2025
Google5 stars

Great teachers and a wonderful environment for kids to learn chess and practice in tournaments - has been an exceptional experience for our daughter....

HOU LIBERTY
Apr 30, 2022
Google5 stars

My son started chess classes here from 5 years old. He told me it is a good place to learn chess. Actually, he has made big progress on it. He also said, his coach Uranchmeg is a really awesome tea...

Kim Nguyen
Apr 4, 2023
Google5 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...

yan yang
Oct 28, 2021
Google5 stars

The Camps are very interesting, you get to do a lot of fun chess activities, like class games, puzzles, and learn new openings. There are also CMA rated tournaments on Fridays....

Lian Bo
Jun 17, 2022
Google5 stars

Friendly and helpful teachers. They organized many tournament for different level chess players. Helped my kid improve chess skills!...

Ellenw121
Aug 7, 2024
Google5 stars

Vancouver chess school offers the chess expertise and flexible class schedule both online and in person classes. My son enjoys her chess mates time very much and recommend to whom you may just start u...

Andrea Bell
Jul 30, 2023
Google5 stars

What a school! Coach Gyan showed my son and his three best friends an incredible week of chess. It was the first camp we tried for our sports crazy kids, and all of them could not stop talking about i...

Vincent Cui
Apr 25, 2021
Google5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is an outstanding institution for children’s chess education at any age. I was amazed how VCS team could maintain the tempo during the pandemic and continues to teach chess le...

Tran Vinh
Apr 6, 2023
Google5 stars

Our children began learning at Vancouver Chess School around six months ago. Their remarkable progress in chess is all thanks to the outstanding coaching and education provided by the school. Recently...

Derek Meng
Aug 5, 2023
Google5 stars

Very good place to learn chess and playing tournaments, no matter if you’re a total beginner or really advanced. Plus, they have Summer camps for all to come too!...

Kateryna Moskalenko
Jun 4, 2024
Google5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is the best chess academy. Their chess coaching methods encourage kids to learn even the most difficult aspects of the game. Not only the chess made the kids smart, but they als...

lisa y
Jul 10, 2022
Google5 stars

Our kid really enjoyed the chess classes. The classes/activities are well structured and the coaches are patient....

Svetlana Vigurs
Nov 17, 2022
Google5 stars

VCS is amazing place for both children who are just starting or experienced. Instructors are great, very encouraging and supportive in children's journey. As a parent with no chess experience I had a ...

Gem Yu
Jul 12, 2021
Google5 stars

VCS is a great chess school for kids. They have a lot of excellent programs, all well organized. The coaches are nice and experienced. My 8-year-old son has been there learning to play chess for more ...

Yanyan Yang
Apr 29, 2022
Google5 stars

My son has been with Vancouver Chess School for a few years, where he gained great knowledge of chess techniques and strategies. with the guidance from experienced coaches in VCS, my son has successf...

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.

Register icon

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

Take the test

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

Focus, memory & concentration

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

Academic performance

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

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.

Celebrating students achievements

Curtis Leung
Curtis Leung

Curtis Leung has been promoted to Knight level.

Alexander Stirling
Alexander Stirling

Alexander Stirling has been promoted to Knight level.

Elliot Stirling
Elliot Stirling

Elliot Stirling has been promoted to Knight level.

Echo Fang
Echo Fang

Echo Fang has been promoted to Rook level.

Travis Bleackley
Travis Bleackley

Travis Bleackley has been promoted to Pre-Rook level.

Julien Pattison
Julien Pattison

Julien Pattison has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Curtis Leung
Curtis Leung

Curtis Leung has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

JACK XU
JACK XU

JACK XU has been promoted to Bishop level.

Julien Pattison
Julien Pattison

Julien Pattison has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

William Lima
William Lima

William Lima has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

⭐ Daily Puzzles