​​Copyright © 2012-2025 King's Land Chess. All Rights Reserved.
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King’s Land Chess is a NorCal Bay Area based professional chess education center focuses on improving youth chess education, founded by WFM Coach Kiki Chen in 2012. KLC offers comprehensive curriculum with 9 levels, raging from New Beginner to Master Levels. We strive to make our group lessons as high quality and focused as one on one private coaching. From first move to mastery: King's Land Chess nurtures champions every step of the way. ​

Experience professional chess training with FIDE-certified coaches, following a comprehensive curriculum designed by Coach Kiki and aligned with FIDE's training guidelines. Our offerings include Weekly Group Classes, the GATE Program (formerly KLC US Team class), Small Group Classes, Intensive Training Camps, Private Lessons, and USCF Rated Tournaments. Students will receive systematic training suitable for their level at each stage, efficiently and gradually improve their chess skills. ​​We dedicated our entire career to helping children to develop their critical thinking through chess and strengthen their mentality for the reality the children will face in their near future. As highly experienced chess coach in youth chess education, we have made it our mission to create awareness in parents of their influence and impact on their child and world they live in. We aim to develop successful chess kids who excel not only in the game, but in life. Chess for World, Wisdom for Life. Over the past eleven years, KLC has trained thousands of young chess players and won many championships in world, national and state tournaments. Each year, several students are qualified for the World Youth/Cadets Championship Team USA.
 
Exclusive to KLC students, we also offer the opportunity to participate in our USCF rated OTB tournament on Friday night, as well as our weekly Quick Game practice tournament on Chess.com every Saturday night. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for sharing information about our chess classes and camps with your friends and neighbors. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out.
New students are welcome to take ONE FREE TRAIL CLASS before enrolling in the program. During this trial class, our coach will assess the student's level and may adjust the class accordingly. To register the trail class, please choose campus and level in the registration below. 
 
How to choose trail class level

  • New Beginner Level - student who is 5+ years old and new to chess, please take New Beginner Class. 
  • Entry Level - if a student is familiar with one move checkmate, some basic tactics and can play a complete game independently, they may thrive in our Entry Level class.
  • Intermediate I Level - For those with familiarity with basic opening lines, chess tactics, some understanding of middle game strategies, and knowledge of endgames, the Intermediate One level might be the ideal fit.
  • Intermediate II to Elite Group - student who has USCF rating can select the appropriate class level based on their rating.
  • For student without a USCF rating, please select ONLY the Entry or Intermediate I level for the trial class.​ ​​​

Pleasanton Campus - Spring Weekly Class   3/1/25 - 5/31/25
​1024 Serpentine Ln, Ste 101, Pleasanton, CA 94566 ​

​Two Classes Per Week (New Option) 
One Regular Group Lesson + One Tactic/Opening Training Class
Available for all level students
​Fremont Campus - Spring Weekly Class   1/18/25 - 6/1/25 ​ 
​46164 Warm Springs Blvd, unit 250, Fremont, CA 94539

Online Weekly Class (Tuesday & Thursday)    2/25/25 - 6/3/25 ​ 

Frequent Q & A
​

  • Complete the in person class registration and get a seat reserved
​
1. To register the in-person classes, please fill the online registration form first.
2. In-person classes have a seat limit, so it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration will be completed when the tuition is received, and the seat will be reserved.
3. Please make sure the class location address and the time. You can download the class schedule on our website in the Chess Lesson section.

  • Free Trial class before Enrolling
​
New student is welcome to enjoy one free trial class before enrolling in the program. After completing the trial class registration, the class will be scheduled during the nearest available week at the level and time you select. You can just walk in and let the coach know you are taking the trail class. During this class, our coach will evaluate the student's skill level and may adjust the class placement if needed. The trial class will be part of our regular schedule.
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  • How to Choose Trail Class Level

1. For student who is new to chess, please select the trial class in the New Beginner level.
2. If your kid is familiar with one move checkmate, some basic tactics and can play a complete game independently, they may thrive in our Entry Level class.
3. For those with familiarity with basic opening lines, chess tactics, some understanding of middle game strategies, and knowledge of endgames, the Intermediate One level might be the ideal fit.
4. Student who has USCF rating can select the appropriate class level based on their rating.
5. For student without a USCF rating, please select ONLY the Entry or Intermediate I level for the trial class.

  • ​KLC Weekly Group Class Levels  
      
            New Beginner Level
  For students age 5+. No prior chess knowledge OR Only knows the basic rules of how the pieces move. 
  Students will learn rules of chess, checkmate, how to attack and defense. 
            Entry Level
  For students age 5+, USCF rating unrated - 200, familiar to checkmate, can play the whole game and know basic opening rules.
  Students will learn chess tactics, basic middle games and endgames. 
            Intermediate I Level
  For students rating 200-400, familiar with checkmate patterns and tactics.
  Students will participate in strategy and tactical skill building, and learn basic openings, middle game and endgame skills. 
            Intermediate II Level
  For students rating 400-600, have tournament experience, know basic opening line,
​  tactics and basic middle game strategy and ending knowledge.
  Training will focus on improve middle game strategy, build opening repertoire, game performance strengths and weaknesses. 
            Advanced I Level
  For students rating 600-900, have tournament experience, familiar with some opening lines,
  has clear middle game strategy and end game skills.
​  Students will receive coaching on tournament strategy, middle game theory, rules of endgame and more systematic training.
            Advanced II Level
  For students rating 900-1200, willing to receive more training.
​  Students will receive coaching on chess openings, positional ideas, tactical positions, theory and plan of middle game and endgame.
            Tournament Group
  For students rating 1200-1500, willing to receive more training.
​  Students will receive coaching on chess openings, positional ideas, tactical positions, theory and plan of middle game and endgame.
            Elite Group 
  For students rating 1500+, willing to take more professional and intensive training. 
​  KLC Elite Group is designed for players rated 1500+ with a goal of reaching 2000. Our training covers opening, middlegame, and endgame
  topics, with a strong emphasis on master game analysis. We focus on developing students' analytical and calculation skills to enhance their
​  overall chess understanding and performance.

  • When will a student be promoted to the next level class?

A student will study in one level for 2-3 sessions before they move up. There are many skills and knowledge that students need to learn and acquire at each level. So we prepare multi-session curriculums for each level of study. The teaching materials and topics will be different in each session.
  1. In the New Beginner level, students only study one session. After the session is completed, all students will be promoted to Entry level.
  2. In Entry Level, students need to study at least 2 sessions before they can move up to Intermediate One level.
  3. In Intermediate one and up levels (Intermediate one, Intermediate two, Advanced one, Advanced two, Tournament Group and Elite Group), our coach will generally evaluate students' class performance, homework, tournaments, and tactic skill level. Students can be promoted to the next level by coach recommendations or meet the USCF rating requirement. Every USCF member will have a provisional rating published after their first four games, and an established rating published after their first 25 games. Based on 25 OTB games, if a student’s USCF OTB rating reaches the next level requirement or passes the evaluation test at the end of the session, the student can be promoted to the next level. ​
 
  • ​​Preparation of the in-person class

1. Face masks are optional.
2. No food or drink. Water is fine.
3. We will provide chess sets and teaching materials.
4. Hand sanitizer will be provided, and all chess equipment will be sanitized. Our rooms are equipped with air purifiers that can clean and fresh the air.
5. For the safety of our students, we request that parents drop off and pick up their child at the door. Students are not permitted to walk across the parking lot unaccompanied.
6. We maintain a nut-free facility. If you bring your own lunch or snacks, please ensure they are nut-free.
​ 
  • Makeup Class, Credit and Tuition Policy

We are very flexible on makeup class. If you miss a class or encountering a schedule change, you can attend a makeup class in any other class of the same level that is available at Fremont and Pleasanton campus. Simply walk in and inform the coach of the date you intend to take the make-up class.

If you're unable to attend certain classes and can't make up for all of them, you have the option to save up to two missed lessons as credits for the next session.

Please note: All classes are Non-refundable. Please redeem credits or makeup classes in King’s Land Chess within four months. No refunds or make ups will be given for tardiness and leaving class early. Students may be withdrawn from the program without refund if they are disruptive to the class for disciplinary reasons or if they are not picked up promptly at the end of the class.
 
  • Class Tuition and Credit Policy

All classes are Non-refundable. Up to two lessons can be credited towards the next session. ​If missing more than two classes, students could take make-up classes. Please redeem credits or make-up classes in King’s Land Chess within four months. 
​No refunds or make ups will be given for tardiness and leaving class early. Students may be withdrawn from the program without refund if they are disruptive to the class for disciplinary reasons or if they are not picked up promptly at the end of the class.

  • Online Class Recording Video Sharing Policy

We only share the online class recording videos to students who would miss the classes. Online classes may be recorded for quality purposes and students who are absent to the classes, however, it's not a good way for reviewing the lessons. Our coach will review the homework and lesson in the next class. So if students have any questions, please bring them to the class and feel free to ask the coach.

  • For student who is new to chess, please select the trial class in the New Beginner level.
  • If your kid is familiar with one move checkmate, some basic tactics and can play a complete game independently, they may thrive in our Entry Level class.
  • For those with familiarity with basic opening lines, chess tactics, some understanding of middle game strategies, and knowledge of endgames, the Intermediate One level might be the ideal fit.
  • Student who has USCF rating can select the appropriate class level based on their rating.
  • For student without a USCF rating, please select ONLY the Entry or Intermediate I level for the trial class.
​About King's Land Chess academy​​

King’s Land Chess is Northern California East Bay based professional chess academy focuses on improving youth chess education, founded by Coach Kiki Chen in 2012. we offer a comprehensive chess program spanning nine skill levels, providing professional and systematic training from beginner to master level. Our curriculum is based on the acclaimed KLC series, meticulously crafted by Coach Kiki and guided by FIDE training standards. 

Classes are available in regular Group Class, small group Master Class, Intensive Training Camp, Private Lesson, GATE program (Gifted and Talented training program, former KLC US Team class) and USCF rated tournaments. Students will receive systematic training suitable for their level at each stage, efficiently and gradually improve their chess skills. ​​We dedicated our entire career to helping children to develop their critical thinking through chess and strengthen their mentality for the reality the children will face in their near future. As highly experienced chess coach in youth chess education, we have made it our mission to create awareness in parents of their influence and impact on their child and world they live in. We aim to develop successful chess kids who excel not only in the game, but in life. Chess for World, Wisdom for Life. 
Over the past decade, KLC has cultivated many extraordinary chess players, including bronze medalists in the world championships, Pan-American champions, North American champions, US national champions, US official representatives and All-America Chess Team players. Each year, several students are qualified for the U.S. national team. In 2022, there were nine KLC students were invited to be the official US Representatives at the 2022 World Youth Championships and World Cadets Championships. These events are known as the Junior Olympics and are the world's highest level youth competitions. 
​
In the US August 2022 Top Player list, KLC students are ranked No.1 and No.2 in several age groups.  
http://www.uschess.org/component/option,com_top_players/Itemid,371/
     • In Top Age 7 and Under, Rocky Wang (1845) is ranked No. 2;
     • In Top Age 8, Lerui Zheng (1886) is ranked No.2; Young Cui (1804) is ranked No. 7; Suhas Indukuri (1695) is ranked No.15;
     • In Top Age 10, Patrick Liu (2100) is ranked No. 1, All American Team; Jashith Karthi (1933) is ranked No. 13;
     • In Top Girls Age 10, Jenny Qi (1654) is ranked No.1; Ruyi Hu (1474) is ranked No.6;
     • In Top Girl Age 9, Iris Li (1908) is ranked No. 2, Tianmu Wang (1376) is ranked No.15, Melissa Xu (1334) is ranked No.17;
     • In Top Girl Age 16, Chelsea Zhou (1845) is ranked No. 11.
About Coach Kiki ​
​
​Coach Kiki Chen is the founder of KLC, National Champion Coach, FIDE rating 2140. World Chess Federation certified FIDE Trainer and USCF National Coach. She was the captain of China youth national team. 
In over fifteen years, Coach Kiki has trained thousands of youth chess players. Many students are ranked #1 in US Age 7-10 Group and became Official U.S. Representatives at the World Youth and Cadet Chess Championships. Dozens of students are ranked top 100 in the age categories of US top chess players. Her students have won numerous prizes in international, national and state chess tournaments and won the national champions and state champions.

​​Coach Kiki，国际等级分2140，国际棋联FIDE Trainer认证，美国棋协国家教练，全国冠军教练。她11岁开始学棋，12岁入选国家青少队，并任队长。学棋不到两年就获得中国棋协大师称号，13岁国际等级分（FIDE rating）就达到2140，达标棋联大师。后专职国际象棋教练及裁判。专注于推广青少年国际象棋的教育发展，2012年创建 King’s Land Chess 国际象棋学校。在执教十多年的时间里，Kiki教练培养了数千名青少年棋手，多位学生排名美国7-9岁组全国第一，十多名学生入选美国国家队。Kiki教练对培养年轻棋手（5-12岁）入选国家队有自己特别的一套训练体系，对天赋极高的孩子有一种敏锐的发掘能力，他所培养的青少年棋手都是名列前茅，数十名学生入选美国各年龄组百强名单。她的学生在国家、州及地区比赛中多次赢得全国冠军和州冠军。因为在青少年教育领域的突出贡献，2015年9月被美国加州核桃学区授予教育贡献奖，曾获加州华人杰出青年奖和前美国棋协主席亲笔推荐。