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

Grateful li
Jan 26, 2023
Google 5 stars

An excellent place to learn chess! The teachers are all very professional and eager to teach their students new material. My son had a lot of fun learning at this school....

Roger Yin
Jun 19, 2024
Google 5 stars

Great place for chess...

Beauty Wang
Mar 28, 2023
Google 5 stars

This Chess school is amazing for all different levels. You should join it to learn chess and have fun!...

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, ...

Kalyani Labade
Jun 6, 2022
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess school is best chess academy in Vancouver. They have very talented staff. The events are well organized. They have excellent virtual chess platform. I am glad that we enrolled our chi...

Ario Salari
Feb 20, 2022
Google 5 stars

It’s really good, it helped me achieve so much in just a couple months!...

Ruchika Bhatia
May 19, 2022
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School has been an amazing learning experience for our child. He has learned while having fun at the same time. The school has immensely experienced and understanding teachers who ensu...

lisa y
Jul 10, 2022
Google 5 stars

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

Linda Shen
Jul 1, 2023
Google 5 stars

My son joined Van Chess three years ago and now he is in grade 3. He has learned so much here and has grown from a beginner player to Bishop level already. He loved all his lessons and also playing ch...

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...

Kevin Zhou
Apr 3, 2022
Google 5 stars

Very good chess school; it provides many opportunities for kids to practice chess with others. My child made much progress there. Thanks a lot for teacher and school!...

Grace Liu
Oct 14, 2022
Google 5 stars

My son has been attending Vanchess for half a year now. It has been a great learning experience and his skills improved very much. His instructor Gyan is professional, kind, encouraging and patient. ...

Ling Li Wu
Feb 22, 2022
Google 5 stars

My son has been taking chess lessons with VCS for almost five years. He loves it and has been making big progress here. I would like to recommend VCS....

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 ...

Cristian Grecu
Mar 25, 2021
Google 5 stars

Great place, both before and post-Covid. My son has been attending for 3 years and has made great progress. They have lots of tournaments and camps. There's a clear system in place to track performan...

CC
May 16, 2024
Google 5 stars

Thank you, VCS, for providing the training sessions, invitational, and practice tournaments for the long term support of Canadian Chess Challenge competition. My son had chess lessons with VCS in his ...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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

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.

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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

Wynston Hirji

Queen of the Hill

Fire Streak King

Jacob Baluch

Fire Streak King

Fire Streak Queen

Melody Song

Fire Streak Queen

Celebrating students achievements

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.

Yaroslav Nyshpor

Yaroslav Nyshpor has been promoted to Bishop level.

Charissa Yeung

Charissa Yeung has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Kaira Kaur

Kaira Kaur has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Our events

Play. Improve. Repeat.

12Mar
Prime Time Battle

12Mar
Over the Board. Real Battles.

13Mar
Best starting tournament!

14Mar
⭐ Daily Puzzles