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?
Champions
Titles
Experience
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.
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.
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.
What parents are saying
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...
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...
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...
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...
The coaches are very nice and responsible, my son has been in this school for one year, he really like it....
It was very fun. I just had my first lesson there, and it was super fun. I am in level one chess, and I really enjoyed it. I would totally do the rest of the levels there. It was super fun and you sho...
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...
Great staff! Great learning experience for kids!...
The best teacher, patience, my child learned here from 2017, not only learns to play chess, but also exercises how to deal with various challenges, how to judge the improvement of ability, so that now...
My son has been with Vancouver Chess School for more than 1 year. He loved the classes, and the teachers there as well. The coaches are great, and they teach kids not only the techniques but also the ...
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...
The Vancouver Chess School is a treasure! My family first become aware of them through their school programs years ago. These were were life savers and also let my kids explore chess in a structured...
My son really like this school, the coaches there are patient and professional, he's made a huge improvement during these two years....
My son has been learning chess in VCS for three years, and he enjoyed classes/plays very well. The school has not only taught kids chess in classes, but also given them many opportunities to apply wha...
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...
I highly recommend this chess training school to anyone looking to improve their chess skills. The instructors are all highly knowledgeable and experienced, especially Gyan Awatramani. And their pass...
It is the de facto place to go for chess class in Vancouver. My kid got into chess after in-school chess class from VanChess, and has been going to their group and private classes for years. They ha...
My son has been attending classes and tournaments at Vancouver Chess School for several years, starting in-person at his school, then, as he became more advanced, classes at the VCS facility and more ...
This chess class rocks! Even in the online setup, Tadas and Gyan Awatramani keep the kids hooked with their amazing skills. They organize regular online chess competitions that keep the excitement ali...
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...
Explore our programs for every
young chess player
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
One-on-one coaching tailored to your child's strengths. Get rapid progress and personalized attention at every step.
Book a Private lesson
Tournaments
From beginners to national contenders - our rated events help kids sharpen skills and boost confidence in a fun, supportive setting.
Join a TournamentStart your chess journey
in 4 easy steps
Take the test
Find your child's level with our free online assessment.
Register
Create your student account in our secure platform.
Try a lesson
Book a free trial class to get started.
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.
Our level system
Beginner
Beginner
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
it's a powerful learning tool.
Top performers
Celebrating the achievements of our rising stars - students who've stood out in recent tournaments and events.
Mavis SU
King of the Hill
Andia Kavanagh
Queen of the Hill
Mavis SU
Fire Streak King
Andia Kavanagh
Fire Streak Queen
Celebrating students achievements
JACK XU
JACK XU has been promoted to Pre-Bishop level.
Karl Aguirre
Karl Aguirre has been promoted to Rook level.
Charlie Tang
Charlie Tang has been promoted to Rook level.
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.
Our events
