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
17+
Years of
Experience
5K+
Students
10K+
Tournaments
17K+
Lessons
200+
Five-star
Reviews

Our Stars & Stories

Echo Heming Fang — World Youth Bronze! 🥉🌍

Echo Heming Fang — World Youth Bronze! 🥉🌍

Echo finished 3rd (tied for 2nd) in Girls U7 at the 2026 FIDE World Youth Championship in Spain with 8.5 / 11! ♟️✨ So proud of you, Echo! 👏

🎖️ Levy Rozman Receives the VCS Signature Medal of Honour

🎖️ 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!

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! ✨

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! 🥇

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 🌟

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.

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

Vivian Cheng
Jan 19, 2021
Google5 stars

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 ...

Tadas Ceponis
Nov 16, 2021
Google5 stars

The best school to learn chess for any kind of levels!...

Mandy Cordingley
Feb 24, 2024
Google5 stars

All the teachers are very talented and patient with kids. My kid excels at this school very fast. There are online and in person classes and tournaments that can accommodate everyone. I highly recomme...

Radin SP
Apr 2, 2023
Google5 stars

The best place that you can play chess in Vancouver....

Eugene Yu
Apr 15, 2021
Google5 stars

The best chess school in Vancouver! My son has been leaning chess in VCS more than three years and he enjoys it very much. The VCS not only holds regular tournaments for different level chess players...

Vera Cui
Apr 11, 2021
Google5 stars

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

Serena Wang
Jan 28, 2025
Google5 stars

We highly recommend Vancouver Chess School, where the child has been studying for more than a year and has made great progress. The teachers are conscientious and constantly motivate the children t...

Patrick Huang
Jul 6, 2021
Google5 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...

Linda Shen
Jul 1, 2023
Google5 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...

周淑霞
Mar 15, 2023
Google5 stars

My son has learned chess for just half a year and has already participated in many competitions. We are very proud of him. Vancouver Chess School teaches every student with responsibility and is a gre...

Preeti Jaiman
Mar 11, 2021
Google5 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...

Marjolaine S
Apr 30, 2022
Google5 stars

You guys are fantastic! So attuned to students and eager to help. It’s a pleasure to communicate with all members of your team. Robert enjoys his training so much and he feels motivated to learn mor...

Sophie Wu
Oct 24, 2021
Google5 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...

Cissy HUANG
Jul 20, 2024
Google5 stars

My son attend this chess place in 2 weeks, and he has already achieved ore knight level. He cannot wait to go back there everyday....

Pengcheng Fang
Oct 20, 2022
Google5 stars

I love vanchess! It taught my brother endgame techniques that he never knew about and tactics. I appreciate vanchess for its effective teachings. It is very good!...

Cristian Grecu
Mar 25, 2021
Google5 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...

C Wu
Jul 9, 2021
Google5 stars

A wonderful place for kids to learn and play chess! In addition to weekly classes and tournaments, Vancouver Chess School does a great job of organizing and running the Regional qualifiers and the Gr...

Kadinho
Apr 29, 2021
Google5 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!...

x g
Apr 28, 2022
Google5 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...

Jia Feng
Jun 29, 2023
Google5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is a great place for the children who like chess. My son really have a great time here....

All reviews
5 stars

1 / 1

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

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

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.

Celebrating students achievements

Echo Fang
Echo Fang

Echo Fang has been promoted to Rook level.

Travis Bleackley
Travis Bleackley

Travis Bleackley has been promoted to Pre-Rook level.

Julien Pattison
Julien Pattison

Julien Pattison has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Curtis Leung
Curtis Leung

Curtis Leung has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

JACK XU
JACK XU

JACK XU has been promoted to Bishop level.

Julien Pattison
Julien Pattison

Julien Pattison has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

William Lima
William Lima

William Lima has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.

Lucas Hsieh
Lucas Hsieh

Lucas Hsieh has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

Raymond Sui
Raymond Sui

Raymond Sui has been promoted to Rook level.

Niko Chen
Niko Chen

Niko Chen has been promoted to Pre-Rook level.

⭐ Daily Puzzles