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
VCS is a great place. The teachers are very patients and caring. My son learned a lot and chess skills and made lots of friends....
I first got to know Vancouver Chess School when I registered my son for the VCS’ Chess in School program in 2016. I simply wanted to expose him to an extracurricular activity, but I didn’t expect ...
Lots of amazing teachers and players here. My son got big progress and is really enjoying. I strongly recommend the chess school....
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...
I love vanchess! It taught my brother endgame techniques that he never knew about and tactics. I appreciate vanchess for its effective teachings....
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...
Strongly recommend National Preparation Program workshop at Vancouver Chess School by Coach Gyan and Coach Maxim, their lectures are concise and dig into deep concept in a easy to understand way for t...
Veronica learned a ton from all the teachers who were there teaching during the training sessions of the Canadian Chess Challenge. It was all incredibly useful and they provided many resources to help...
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 ...
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 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...
We are very happy to have found VCS. My Daughter (8 yr old) loves her classes and really looks forward to them, as well as spending time having fun and learning with the other kids that have an the sa...
This school is fantastic! Both of my boys love it so much. Great website design with its own chess homework, practice games and online challenges. Many of chess events for kids to have opportunities t...
Great place for chess...
Nice coaches and structure arrangement to guide the kids from beginners to experienced chess player. Regular chess competition can promote the interests of the kids to do better. When my boy got highe...
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...
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...
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...
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...
I represented team BC at the 2019 Canadian Chess Challenge (CCC), where I won 1st place in the toughest section of the competition. This year, Gyan personally invited me to Captain Team BC at the 2022...
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.
Mateo Olaeriu
Karl Aguirre
King of the Hill
Melody Song
Queen of the Hill
Chris Chen
Fire Streak King
Melody Song
Fire Streak Queen
Celebrating students achievements
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.
Amirali Abedi
Amirali Abedi has been promoted to Pre-Knight level.
Annalise Lu
Annalise Lu has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.
Winston Hu
Winston Hu has been promoted to Advanced Beginner level.
Our events
19Apr
