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
17K+
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

Alice Fan
Jan 7, 2021
Google 5 stars

My son started learning chess at Vancouver Chess School, and he's been there for one and half year now. It is fun for him, and it teaches him important life lessons. For example, defeat helps you beco...

Roger Yin
Jun 19, 2024
Google 5 stars

Great place for chess...

Derek Meng
Aug 5, 2023
Google 5 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!...

Tony Cheng
Sep 23, 2021
Google 5 stars

Nice coaches and structure arrangement to guide the kids from beginners to experienced chess player. Regular chess competition can promote the interests of the kids to do better. When my boy got highe...

Christopher Bissonnette
Apr 3, 2025
Google 5 stars

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

Pratik Thakare
Mar 27, 2023
Google 5 stars

Son has been attending this school for about 1 year, and the development we have seen is incredible. He loves this school and is always excited for the next class and tournaments. Instructors are very...

Jie Chen
Jun 30, 2023
Google 5 stars

The best chess school in Vancouver....

Wendy Yuan
Apr 20, 2023
Google 5 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...

Bilyana Ward
Sep 12, 2022
Google 5 stars

A serious, technically innovative chess academy for all levels. Our son and daughter have thrived here. The teachers care, and students are encouraged with clever games, safe and appropriate social me...

Dragon Draconian
Sep 12, 2021
Google 5 stars

We are very happy to have found VCS. My Daughter (8 yr old) loves her classes and really looks forward to them, as well as spending time having fun and learning with the other kids that have an the sa...

Jo Ro
Mar 4, 2025
Google 5 stars

Great staff! Great learning experience for kids!...

Tia
Oct 18, 2023
Google 5 stars

The Vancouver Chess School has been a game-changer for my autistic child. Not only has he made remarkable progress in his chess skills, but he genuinely looks forward to every session. The instructors...

Tran Vinh
Apr 6, 2023
Google 5 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...

Xuan Wang
Feb 26, 2025
Google 5 stars

A very good chess school! Urna is not only a champion but also an instructor who knows how to teach very young children. My daughter is a Kindergartener; she loves to come to the chess classes every S...

Xuejing Liu
Jun 8, 2021
Google 5 stars

My son started chess class at VCS 2 years ago and had loads of fun. The chess school arranges class systematically and strategically which ensures the kids build up solid foundation for the next level...

Jia Feng
Jun 29, 2023
Google 5 stars

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

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...

Eric Chan
Feb 26, 2023
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is fantastic! VCS is very well organized, structured, and provides learners of all levels with opportunities and support to improve their skills.. or to just have fun playing c...

Youlandy Liu
Feb 18, 2022
Google 5 stars

My kids really love this school。The teacher are very professional, very Patient, very methodical. So that kids can go from not doing anything at first to now very like chess. And now with pandemic, ...

Jiankun Li
Nov 18, 2023
Google 5 stars

Strongly recommend National Preparation Program workshop at Vancouver Chess School by Coach Gyan and Coach Maxim, their lectures are concise and dig into deep concept in a easy to understand way for t...

All reviews

5 stars

1 / 1

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

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

Jeremy Wiedman

King of the Hill

Queen of the Hill

Melody Song

Queen of the Hill

Fire Streak King

Wyatt Velez

Fire Streak King

Fire Streak Queen

Melody Song

Fire Streak Queen

Celebrating students achievements

Shelby Wang

Shelby Wang has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Javis Tang

Javis Tang has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Sahvin Gill

Sahvin Gill has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Chloe Li

Chloe Li has been promoted to Knight level.

Echo Fang

Echo Fang has been promoted to Pre-Bishop level.

Oliver Oades

Oliver Oades has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Quinton Tang

Quinton Tang has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Lucas Hsieh

Lucas Hsieh has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Rahm Wolpin

Rahm Wolpin has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Camilla Kawashita

Camilla Kawashita has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Our events

Best starting tournament!

14Mar
Build Confidence Weekly!

17Mar
Play. Improve. Repeat.

19Mar
Prime Time Battle

19Mar
⭐ Daily Puzzles