Bringing chess
to life™

Welcome to Chess Institute of Canada (CIC).  We make learning and playing chess fun and stimulating for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds across Canada! Through our online and in-person programs, our students learn valuable life skills to help them tackle day-to-day challenges with confidence. Whether you’re here for your child, your school, or your business, get ready to unlock some potential while having a ton of fun. Join us at CIC, and let’s bring chess to life for everyone!

Online classes
Free Skills Eval

Online Programs

CIC online classes teach life skills through chess. They’re led by trained instructors and tailored to all skill levels. Plus, they’re super fun!

Child playing chess.

Beginner

Our Playful Pawn and Rookie Rook classes are quick, introductory chess lessons where fun is rule number one. They are filled with group activities where children laugh and learn, making friends while absorbing the basics of chess.

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Hand playing chess

Intermediate

For children who know how to play chess and would love to learn how to play well. They know the rules, know how to play to checkmate, and enjoy the game, but they wish to play better. Here, at the intermediate level, they will learn the skills to elevate their game.

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Child with wild hair playing chess

Advanced

For those who have completed Noble Knights curriculum, taken a Future Masters course, or been recommended by their instructor. In the Advanced Workshops, students add to their foundational knowledge of chess a more sophisticated understanding openings, gambits, and endgames.

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Our In-Person Programs

CIC In-Person Programs teach life skills through chess. They’re led by trained instructors and tailored to all skill levels.

Extracurricular School Clubs

Join our lunchtime and afterschool chess clubs for camaraderie, intellectual challenge, and to develop life skills.

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In-Class School Programs

Students enjoy our chess classes for fun and learning. Teachers appreciate how we integrate life skills and academics.
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Chess for Organizations

At your business, institution, or chess club, we will teach life skills through chess to you, or for you.

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Upcoming Tournaments & Events

CIC hosts tournaments and other events throughout the year. See what’s happening next!

Testimonials

Feel the love…

Our family has loved The Chess Institute of Canada. We have taken 3 consecutive sessions since last year and our son has learned and enjoyed so much! He has had the pleasure to have Asher as a teacher. He is a great teacher! Not only do the classes have very organized content, which he makes sure to explain in a very simple way, but also the way he interacts with the kids is really impressive. He is respectful and knows how to take each student’s ideas as a positive way to explain something new.

We absolutely recommend the weekly classes online to anyone who enjoys chess and wants to learn more.
Leonor MunozParent
Dawne likes to play chess. After the program last Thursday and Friday, she stayed online playing chess against the computer. Sometimes she asks her dad to play with her from another laptop.
Isabella BrumptonParent
This program has had far reaching and positive ripples within our school learning. Chess has taught our students critical thinking skills, it has developed patience and the need to think ahead about possible consequences , and has reinforced the act of winning or losing with respect and kindness, necessary life skills we focus on regularly.

We thank the Chess Institute for their responsive programming, the incredible ability of their instructors to make learning fun, engaging and relevant, and for their flexibility in working with all of our students.
Jennifer ZurbaPrincipal, Blake Street PS
Thank you for everything that you have done for Eric over the last few years. You have impacted him more than I thought would be possible through remote chess lessons. He is excited to join Elite!
KarenParent
Robert was very happy to participate in your chess camp and tournament. His first!
Marjolaine SéguinParent
The thing I love most about Chess Institute is the instructors.
SeymourStudent
Thank you for a great program. This was Lincoln's first time competing and he had a great time!
Brooke StewartParent
I am very happy to hear that Seymour is progressing well! We changed several private chess instructors in the past and at one point he was ready to quit chess.

I then found Chess Institute online, enrolled him and your teachers revived his passion for chess. He is participating in the lessons and tournaments with great interest and willingness to go further. I would like to have a chance and express my sincere gratitude to you guys.
Seymour's Mother
We are very happy with the classes and tournaments offered by Chess Institute of Canada. You and everyone at CIC are working hard and doing a great job keeping kids engaged during this unfortunate pandemic time. We are really grateful for all your hard work.
WendyParent
A quick note of appreciation… You’ve been teaching Callem for almost a year and you are always so kind, knowledgeable and patient with your students. His skills and passion for chess have grown exponentially and that is in large part because of you.
Laurie-AnnParent

What’s my
level?

Not sure which CIC program is the perfect fit for your child? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Sign up for our Free Ability Evaluation Session, where one of our expert instructors will observe your child’s play and ask targeted questions to ensure they find the best fit. And the best part? It’s completely free of charge! Join us today and let us help your child unlock their full potential.
Free Evaluation Registration
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