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
16K+
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

Ario Salari
Feb 20, 2022
Google 5 stars

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

Helen Yu
May 20, 2022
Google 5 stars

My 6 year kid tried the absolute beginner classes and enjoyed it very much. The teacher Amir is nice. Since my boy passed the mid-term test, he was promoted to a higher level class ahead of time, savi...

Jo Ro
Mar 4, 2025
Google 5 stars

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

Khangmin Lee
Mar 15, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School has given my 2 kids a fun, intellectual and safe space to hang out with other like-minded children. They have very competent and experienced instructors. Both their in-person (p...

Svetlana Vigurs
Nov 17, 2022
Google 5 stars

VCS is amazing place for both children who are just starting or experienced. Instructors are great, very encouraging and supportive in children's journey. As a parent with no chess experience I had a ...

Lian Bo
Jun 17, 2022
Google 5 stars

Friendly and helpful teachers. They organized many tournament for different level chess players. Helped my kid improve chess skills!...

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!...

M D
Dec 23, 2023
Google 5 stars

We have been thrilled with the experience our son Gabriel has had at Vancouver Chess School. The organization of the educational process is outstanding, ensuring a high-quality learning environment. A...

Kadinho
Apr 29, 2021
Google 5 stars

VCS is a very good school for all age chess learners. It provides a resourceful topics on chess and there are many tournaments that you might not even have time to play all of them!...

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!...

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 ...

Kaustav Mukherjee
Jul 30, 2023
Google 5 stars

Vancouver chess school has been a wonderful experience for my 8 year old. He’s gained meaningful skills, developed self-confidence and earned a medal for his accomplishments which he’s very proud ...

Preeti Jaiman
Mar 11, 2021
Google 5 stars

My son and daughter, aged 8 and 10, are members of VCS. They joined in 2019 April and since then they have enjoyed their lessons with Mr. G. VanChess has an online platform where chess puzzles, homewo...

Winnie Li
Apr 28, 2022
Google 5 stars

Wow! The Vancouver Chess School is such a great place for children to learn Chess! Awesome coaches and amazing programs! The coaches are very professional and experienced....

Holly
Sep 17, 2023
Google 5 stars

I can't express enough how much I appreciate Vancouver Chess School (VCS) for their incredible contributions to my son's chess journey. VCS stands out as the finest and most prestigious chess school i...

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...

Vera Cui
Apr 11, 2021
Google 5 stars

Great chess school! My son Sky loves learning and playing chess at VCS....

Jennifer Russel
Jan 10, 2021
Google 5 stars

At the Vancouver Chess School, students learn much more than Chess!! It is a fun, inclusive and welcoming school, where students have the opportunity to compete at a high level, but more importantly ...

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...

Justin Ma
Apr 4, 2022
Google 5 stars

The Vancouver Chess School is a great place for children to develop their critical thinking and math skills. Ever since my child has attended this school, he has developed great improvements in his co...

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

River Liu

Fire Streak King

Fire Streak Queen

Anissa Kavanagh

Fire Streak Queen

Celebrating students achievements

Kevin Liu

Kevin Liu has been promoted to Knight level.

Echo Fang

Echo Fang has been promoted to Knight level.

Jacob Shi

Jacob Shi has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Shenyou Yang

Shenyou Yang has been promoted to Knight level.

Niko Chen

Niko Chen has been promoted to Bishop level.

Youssef Mahmoud

Youssef Mahmoud has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Sophie Zhu

Sophie Zhu has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Jianwen Hua

Jianwen Hua has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Charlie Tang

Charlie Tang has been promoted to Pre-Rook level.

Aiden Jin

Aiden Jin has been promoted to Beginners with some knowledge level.

Our events

⭐ Daily Puzzles