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

Alyssa Wang
Jul 9, 2018
Google 5 stars

This is the best school ever...

Kalyani Labade
Jun 6, 2022
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess school is best chess academy in Vancouver. They have very talented staff. The events are well organized. They have excellent virtual chess platform. I am glad that we enrolled our chi...

Mandy Cordingley
Feb 24, 2024
Google 5 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...

Leon Gong
Jul 5, 2021
Google 5 stars

A great chess school. Our kid Leon attended his very first chess tournament in this school three years ago and now won his provincial champion and represent BC to win his first national champion. For ...

Pengcheng Fang
May 1, 2022
Google 5 stars

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

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 ...

CC
May 16, 2024
Google 5 stars

Thank you, VCS, for providing the training sessions, invitational, and practice tournaments for the long term support of Canadian Chess Challenge competition. My son had chess lessons with VCS in his ...

Vania Cheng
May 16, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is a really well run chess school, with kind and dedicated coaches. It teaches students from complete beginners to much higher levels. VCS has made a seamless transition to teac...

Cat Queen
Feb 17, 2022
Google 5 stars

My daughter has been taking chess lessons with VCS for two years now. After trying out different activities, chess is the only one that she's enjoyed and kept going. The coaches are amazing and patien...

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!...

Katherine Yang
Jun 16, 2022
Google 5 stars

Great chess school. Provided many training sessions, coaching, and encouragement for the players of the 2022 Canadian Chess Challenge. We really appreciate it. Thank you, Vancouver Chess School!...

Beauty Wang
Oct 2, 2024
Google 5 stars

This Chess school is amazing! Learn chess at any level, play with different people, and have fun!...

Nikki Zh
Oct 18, 2023
Google 5 stars

VCS is a great place to learn chess. My kid loves the weekly classes and tournaments. Teachers are professional and patient, and classes are well organized. VCS also hosts monthly Vancouver Chess Fest...

Tia
Oct 18, 2023
Google 5 stars

The Vancouver Chess School has been a game-changer for my autistic child. Not only has he made remarkable progress in his chess skills, but he genuinely looks forward to every session. The instructors...

Jo Ro
Mar 4, 2025
Google 5 stars

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

Jennifer Fu
Oct 23, 2021
Google 5 stars

Vancouver Chess School is a great platform for kids who love chess. My little girl enjoys the time learning and playing chess at VCS. The coaches are very experienced and patient with kids. The traini...

Grateful li
Jan 26, 2023
Google 5 stars

An excellent place to learn chess! The teachers are all very professional and eager to teach their students new material. My son had a lot of fun learning at this school....

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...

yan yang
Oct 28, 2021
Google 5 stars

The Camps are very interesting, you get to do a lot of fun chess activities, like class games, puzzles, and learn new openings. There are also CMA rated tournaments on Fridays....

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 ...

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

River Liu

King of the Hill

Queen of the Hill

Melody Song

Queen of the Hill

Fire Streak King

Julian Moraes

Fire Streak King

Celebrating students achievements

John Lan

John Lan has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

NiklasYu Chen

NiklasYu Chen has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.

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.

Our events

⭐ Daily Puzzles