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

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...

Miranda Li
Apr 20, 2021
Google 5 stars

My son wanted to take chess lessons last year before the lockdown, so I signed up for the spring term for him. I was concerned about the effectiveness of the online lessons, but it has turned out to b...

Joan Liu
Aug 28, 2024
Google 5 stars

The school has a good structure for kids to learn and excel in chess, at the same time also have lots of fun!...

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...

Flora Liu
Oct 2, 2022
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is an amazing place for chess lovers. My son Ryder has learnt a lot both is summer camps and in group lessons and always had tons of fun. Highly recommended!!!...

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...

Holly Song
May 10, 2016
Google 5 stars

Vancouver chess school is a top quality chess school in the lower mainland. It provides systematical training to students through excellent teachers. For only two years, my kid improves a lot and beco...

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 ...

Karen K
May 22, 2024
Google 5 stars

We are so happy that we found Vanchess school and registered online classes for our son to learn chess. It is definitely the right choice. Our son shows great interest in playing chess, active thinkin...

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...

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, ...

Sharon Zhang
Mar 16, 2021
Google 5 stars

We have proudly been with Vancouver Chess School since day one and we have always experienced high-quality and productive lessons from all the instructors here. Not only that, but the coaches are alwa...

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...

Aimee R
Dec 22, 2021
Google 5 stars

My son has been taking chess lessons at the Vancouver Chess School for at least 3 years now and he absolutely loves it! The instructors are great! The materials they cover always challenges him and th...

Patrick Huang
Jul 6, 2021
Google 5 stars

I represented team BC at the 2021 Canadian Chess Challenge, tying for first place in my section. Gyan and Jeremy at VCS were incredibly professional, organizing countless training sessions for Team BC...

Roger Yin
Jun 19, 2024
Google 5 stars

Great place for chess...

H. Liang
Aug 5, 2022
Google 5 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...

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....

Zena Zuo
Jun 3, 2021
Google 5 stars

This is a great chess school for kids to learn and grow up in. I am so happy we made the right choice 4 years ago. When my son told me he was interested in chess, I enrolled him in Vancouver Chess sc...

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 ...

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

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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.

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Try a lesson

Book a free trial class to get started.

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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.

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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.

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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

Beckett Fenn

King of the Hill

Queen of the Hill

Sofia Senft

Queen of the Hill

Fire Streak King

Beckett Fenn

Fire Streak King

Fire Streak Queen

Sofia Senft

Fire Streak Queen

Celebrating students achievements

Echo Fang

Echo Fang has been promoted to Bishop level.

Tamen Abbaspour

Tamen Abbaspour has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Yaroslav Nyshpor

Yaroslav Nyshpor has been promoted to Pre-Rook level.

Shenyou Yang

Shenyou Yang has been promoted to Pre-Bishop level.

Timur Uygun

Timur Uygun has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Kevin Lian

Kevin Lian has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Carlyle Shu

Carlyle Shu has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Amirali Abedi

Amirali Abedi has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Annalise Lu

Annalise Lu has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Winston Hu

Winston Hu has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Our events

Build Confidence Weekly!

21Apr
Play. Improve. Repeat.

23Apr
Prime Time Battle

23Apr
Over the Board. Real Battles.

24Apr
Best starting tournament!

25Apr
⭐ Daily Puzzles