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Youth Program · Ages 5–17

After-School
Chess Program

Small groups. Real coaching. Kids who actually look forward to it. Three afternoons a week at 9 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley.

Class Schedule

When We Meet.

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons. Eight kids per class, max. Past eight I'm not coaching anymore — I'm refereeing. I'd rather keep it small.

Most Popular

Recreational League

For kids who want to learn the game and have fun with it. Not for parents trying to grow the next Magnus Carlsen. Real instruction, real games, real fun — without the pressure that makes most kids quit chess by middle school.

Monday 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Monday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Tuesday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Thursday 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Contact for Pricing

$120/month per student — sibling discount available. Same monthly rate whether the month has 3 class dates or 5. Follows the CUSD calendar. Email or call (831) 392-7456 with questions.

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Kids playing chess at Carmel Valley Chess Club after-school program Two kids facing off over chess board with clock at Carmel Valley Chess Club

What to Expect

What a Class Actually Looks Like

No two kids learn the same way, so no class follows a rigid curriculum. Here's the rough shape of an hour with me at the board.

01

Warm-Up Puzzles

Kids start with tactical puzzles — checkmate-in-two, forks, pins. Pattern recognition is the actual foundation of chess. Get their brain in fight mode before they sit across from anyone.

02

Coached Instruction

I work with each kid individually on what they actually need — piece coordination, weak squares, what their opponent is threatening. I don't teach openings. Memorizing openings is how kids quit chess. We teach understanding.

03

Tournament Play

Real games against each other with real chess clocks. Same equipment used at USCF tournaments. The clock changes everything — kids learn to make decisions under pressure.

04

Game Review

We pull up moments from the games they just played and look at them together. What worked. What didn't. What you'd do next time. This is where the actual learning happens.

How It Works

Policies & Details

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School Calendar

We follow the Carmel Unified School District calendar. No classes during school holidays or breaks.

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Monthly Billing — $120/month

$120 per month, per student. Sibling discount available — ask when you register. Families pay monthly via Stripe invoice. Invoice sent upon registration approval — payment due within 3 days to secure your spot. Late fee of $25 after the 8th.

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Make-Up Policy

Missed a class? Families may attend another available session during the same month if space allows. No refunds for missed classes.

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Class Size

Each class is capped at 8 students maximum. This ensures Coach JB can give real attention to every player.

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Enrollment

Rolling enrollment — register anytime until sessions fill. Once full, a waitlist opens. First paid, first seated.

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Location

9 Del Fino Place, Suite 201, Carmel Valley, CA 93924. Above Mika Sushi — you'll find us.

From Coach JB

"Is Chess Actually Fun for Kids?"

Every parent asks this. Here's my honest answer: it's fun when it's taught right. It's miserable when it's not. The kids quitting chess in middle school aren't quitting because chess is boring — they're quitting because they were drilled on openings and made to feel like they're bad at the game. I do the opposite of that.

If at the end of a class everyone is smiling and laughing and it's a little bit too loud — I probably did my job.

"He loves chess club and wants to go every day!"
— CV Chess Club Parent

"Even as a total beginner, my child never felt lost. The structure and encouragement along the way made all the difference."
— CV Chess Club Parent

Kids and adults playing chess at Carmel Valley Chess Club

Questions

Things Parents Ask

My kid has never played. Is that a problem?

Not at all. Most kids start with zero experience — they don't know how the pieces move, much less how to win a game. That's where I want to meet them. The kids who already know how to play join the same classes; they push each other. As one parent told me: "Even as a total beginner, my child never felt lost."

What does it cost monthly?

$120 per month, per student. A sibling discount is available — just let me know when you register. The monthly rate is the same whether the month has 3 class dates or 5, since we follow the school calendar.

What if we miss a class?

You can attend another session during the same month if there's space. No refunds for missed classes. We follow the CUSD calendar, so you'll always know in advance when we're not meeting (school holidays, breaks).

How many kids per class?

Eight. That's the cap. Past eight I'm not coaching anymore — I'm refereeing. Eight kids means I can actually work with each one individually, watch their games, give them feedback that matters.

When does the Recreational League meet?

Monday and Tuesday at 3:15pm and 4:30pm; Thursday at 3:15pm. Same structure every time: puzzles, coaching, real games with clocks, and review of what happened. Pick whichever day works for your schedule.

How do I enroll?

Hit the Enroll button. Fill out the form. Once I review it, you'll get a Stripe invoice due within 3 days. Payment locks in the spot. If a class is full when you register, you'll go on a waitlist.

What if we need to cancel?

Email me at chessclubcv@gmail.com. As much notice as possible helps — there's usually a kid on the waitlist who can take the spot.

Eight Seats Per Class.

That's it. When a class is full, it's full and the next kid goes on the waitlist. Enroll while there's room.

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Free 5-Day Video Series

Learn Chess in 5 Days. Or Teach Your Kid.

Five short videos from Coach JB — about five minutes each. Made for parents teaching their kids, and they work just as well for any grown-up starting from square one. Sign up and we’ll send all five straight to your inbox, plus club news, Friday night reminders, tournament dates, and camp updates.

No spam. Just chess. Unsubscribe anytime. See what’s in the course →