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

Gu Family
Dec 25, 2022
Google 5 stars

The school teaches professional chess technique and encourages sportsmanship. It meets where your child's level is whether it is beginner or advanced. It is an exciting journey for a child to keep imp...

Linda Shen
Sep 2, 2021
Google 5 stars

This is a great place to let your child learn playing chess. The teachers are extremely friendly and experienced. The school is well organized with different levels and tournament opportunities, very ...

T Low
Jan 4, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School has been a blessing to our family and to the Chess Community. The instruction has been top notch and we love the fact that the school regularly has chess competitions. The schoo...

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...

Carol Cao
Feb 28, 2023
Google 5 stars

This is a fun place to start learning chess. The teacher is patient and experienced. Group classes gather same level players together and are interactive and engaging. There are regular tournaments th...

Kim Nguyen
Apr 4, 2023
Google 5 stars

Chess classes and tournaments at Vancouver Chess School has significantly transformed our kid's chess study journey. He started barely understanding anything about 6 months ago, and is now able to com...

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...

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 ......

Helen Chai
May 11, 2021
Google 5 stars

Teachers at VCS are professional, caring and inspiring. It is a wonderful place to learn, compete and grow. Online classes & tournaments are very well organized during this trying time. My kid ...

Hong Zhou
May 16, 2022
Google 5 stars

Great a chess school! My son made great progress while learning chess in VSC, where he got a lot of chess strategy and practice opportunities. Most importantly, my son has always been inspired to fac...

Neill M
May 18, 2022
Google 5 stars

My children enjoy the classes offered by Vancouver Chess School and have learned a lot in only a few weeks. The school’s online component is very easy and convenient to use for busy families as well...

Z. Eddie Ning
Nov 28, 2024
Google 5 stars

This is a great place if your kid is interested in chess, or you want them to develop their interests. It’s not just a school, but feels more like a community. My son loves Sunday chess club. He get...

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...

Paul Du
Jul 8, 2021
Google 5 stars

This is an exceptional chess school that helped my child develop an incredible passion in the field of chess. The instructors are all engaging and helpful. There are many camps, tournaments, and other...

Christy Xie
Feb 27, 2024
Google 5 stars

VCS is great place to learn chess. My son really loves their programs. They have both online and office classes which are thoughtfully designed, blending theorectical knowledge and practical play. The...

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 ...

Ryan Leong
Oct 23, 2024
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is not just a chess school. It is a place where children foster many different skills such as decision making, adapting to a competitive environment, and an opportunity to give ...

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...

Not Cool
Jan 25, 2022
Google 5 stars

Developing children’s intelligence is the original intention of learning chess, and there is a lot of harvest in its process. You have to work hard if you want to win, but you should always respect ...

Maggie Xu
Apr 16, 2021
Google 5 stars

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...

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

Sam Evans

King of the Hill

Queen of the Hill

Sofia Vigurs

Queen of the Hill

Fire Streak King

KevinTaikai Liu

Fire Streak King

Fire Streak Queen

Melody Song

Fire Streak Queen

Celebrating students achievements

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.

Luna Chen

Luna Chen has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Naveed Nemati

Naveed Nemati has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Our events

Over the Board. Real Battles.

06Mar
Best starting tournament!

07Mar
Your Journey to the Top!

07Mar
Build Confidence Weekly!

10Mar
⭐ Daily Puzzles