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
16+
Years of
Experience
5K+
Students
9K+
Tournaments
16K+
Lessons
170+
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

R J
Feb 22, 2024
Google 5 stars

My son Zac really likes VCS programs. It helped him from zero knowledge to a bit obsessed to chess now. I also like the VCS operation system that helps kids to focus on there target and motivate them ...

Cal
Sep 3, 2024
Google 5 stars

My son just completed a chess camp at VCS and had a great experience. He was really pleased with the way the camp was run and noted how enthusiastic Gyan and the other instructors were in maximizing t...

Christoph Ortner
Oct 5, 2021
Google 5 stars

Our older son got curious about chess earlier this year - in the middle of the pandemic - and so we were happy to learn that Vanchess offered all classes in virtual form. After some cautious initial a...

Ken Janpon
Nov 9, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is a very well run and well organized endeavour, and kudos to the dedicated people running it. We'd been looking for chess classes for our son for a while but what made the diff...

Beauty Wang
Oct 2, 2024
Google 5 stars

This Chess school is amazing! Learn chess at any level, play with different people, and have fun!...

Sophie Wu
Oct 24, 2021
Google 5 stars

My kid loves playing chess and learning chess with Vancouver Chess School. Their online class allows the students to learn from home and I appreciate they have a great website for the students to prac...

Guiqing Yin
May 9, 2024
Google 5 stars

My boys take 2 programs in Vancouver Chess School. They joined the NPP program around one and half years ago. The course is a little bit hard for them which I believe is a good thing. If you want your...

Andrew Eisenberg
May 24, 2022
Google 5 stars

We've been taking our daughter to Vancouver Chess School for the last 4 years or so. She loves chess and this school and its teachers are a large part of why. The teachers at this school take a person...

Y Zho
Apr 28, 2024
Google 5 stars

My son just started taking classes at VCS last year. He got promoted to pre-bishop recently. It’s quite an achievement for a beginner just started play chess couple of months ago. VCS provides effec...

x g
Apr 28, 2022
Google 5 stars

Looking for a place to develop my son chess skills. Found Vancouver Chess School, Best choice ever. Great online class, Competitive chess event to keep things interesting for kids. If your kids like c...

A M
May 10, 2022
Google 5 stars

VCS is a great chess school for kids! In year my son has made a huge progress! He has participated in many tournaments. A few months ago he also participated in School District Championship, where he ...

Yanyan Yang
Apr 29, 2022
Google 5 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...

Kate Chung
Sep 24, 2024
Google 5 stars

A fantastic place to let your child experience chess play with different kids in a well organized and clean environment. Their lessons are very useful. My child has been teaching me all that she learn...

Lulu Ban
Oct 8, 2021
Google 5 stars

This school is fantastic! Both of my boys love it so much. Great website design with its own chess homework, practice games and online challenges. Many of chess events for kids to have opportunities t...

Jane Huang
Mar 24, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is an absolutely wonderful school for kids. Moving up from lower level class (Pawn) to higher ones ( Bishop) is a good way to build children’s motivation. All coaches and staf...

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...

J Lo
May 29, 2023
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School has helped my child develop his chess skills and provides a wonderful chess community for all who love chess to grow together in. It organizes many chess events and tournaments ...

Bo Mi Kim
Sep 11, 2024
Google 5 stars

The camp at VCS is an amazing experience for all ages. Whether your child is 5 or 15, there is a variety of opportunities of learning. Completely approve of the camp and believe in its ability to impa...

Gosha Wen
Jan 17, 2021
Google 5 stars

vancouver chess school is a fun and interesting education experience for young chess fan, the teachers and instructors are well knowledge and responsible, the program is well developed ......

Naama Rotem-Kohavi
Jan 15, 2025
Google 5 stars

We are very pleased with the Vancouver Chess School! My child is very enthusiastic in participating in the variety of activities, pro D days, tournaments and classes they offer. The school is managed ...

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.

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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

Jacob Baluch

King of the Hill

Queen of the Hill

Echo Fang

Queen of the Hill

Fire Streak King

Echo Fang

Fire Streak King

Fire Streak Queen

Melody Song

Fire Streak Queen

Celebrating students achievements

Kevin Liu

Kevin Liu has been promoted to Knight level.

Echo Fang

Echo Fang has been promoted to Knight level.

Jacob Shi

Jacob Shi has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Shenyou Yang

Shenyou Yang has been promoted to Knight level.

Niko Chen

Niko Chen has been promoted to Bishop level.

Youssef Mahmoud

Youssef Mahmoud has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Sophie Zhu

Sophie Zhu has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Jianwen Hua

Jianwen Hua has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Charlie Tang

Charlie Tang has been promoted to Pre-Rook level.

Aiden Jin

Aiden Jin has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Our events

Over the Board. Real Battles.

20Feb
Best starting tournament!

21Feb
Build Confidence Weekly!

24Feb
Play. Improve. Repeat.

26Feb
⭐ Daily Puzzles