Everything You Want to Know About CV Chess Club.

Yes. Carmel Valley Chess Club is located at 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 201, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 — upstairs above Mika Sushi. We offer an after-school youth program, Summer Chess Camp, USCF rated tournaments, and adult Friday Night Chess every week.

We are at 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 201, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 — upstairs above Mika Sushi. Phone: (831) 392-7456. Email: chessclubcv@gmail.com.

Coach JB is Justin Bradley, founder of Carmel Valley Chess Club. He grew up in Monterey County, learned chess before he could read, and credits the game with building the focus and discipline that shaped his life. He is a local Carmel Valley resident, realtor, and father of two boys. He founded the club because a chess community didn't exist locally — so he built one. Learn more about Coach JB →

Yes. Carmel Valley Chess Club is the only dedicated chess club and chess instruction program in Carmel Valley. We offer the only USCF rated youth instruction, Summer Chess Camp, and adult Friday Night Chess in the immediate Carmel Valley area.

No experience needed. We welcome complete beginners at all programs — after-school classes, Summer Camp, and Friday Night Chess. Coach JB meets every student at their current level and builds from there. If your child knows how the pieces move, they are ready. If they don't, we will teach them.

The after-school program and Summer Chess Camp are for children ages 5 through 17. Friday Night Chess is adults only — 18 and older. Tournaments are open to all ages.

Carmel Valley Chess Club offers after-school chess classes for kids ages 5–17. The Recreational League meets Monday and Tuesday at 3:15pm and 4:30pm, and Thursday at 3:15pm. Coach JB works directly with every student in groups capped at 8 students maximum. Learn more about the after-school program →

No. The after-school program requires enrollment and authorization from Coach JB before attending. Classes are capped at 8 students and walk-ins cannot be accommodated. To enroll, contact us at chessclubcv@gmail.com or call (831) 392-7456. Drop-in is available on Friday evenings only for $5 Friday Night Chess.

Monthly pricing is available upon registration. Contact us at chessclubcv@gmail.com or call (831) 392-7456 for current rates. The same monthly rate applies regardless of how many class dates fall in that month.

Yes. The after-school program follows the Carmel Unified School District (CUSD) calendar. Classes do not meet on school holidays or breaks. If your child misses a class, they may attend another session in the same month as a makeup.

Monday & Tuesday: Recreational League at 3:15pm and 4:30pm.

Thursday: Recreational League at 3:15pm.

All classes capped at 8 students per session and follow the same structured format: warm-up puzzles, coached instruction, tournament-style play with clocks, and game review.

Summer Chess Camp 2026 runs June 15–19, 2026, Monday through Friday, 9am–3pm. Located at 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 201, Carmel Valley. Register at cvchess.com/summer-camp.html →

$500 all-inclusive. Early bird pricing is $450 if you register before May 16, 2026 — a $50 savings. The fee covers chess lessons, pool days, meals every day, movie day, playground visits, USCF membership and chess rating, and the closing trophy ceremony.

Optional add-ons: Early drop-off at 8am is $40/week. Late pickup at 5pm is $60/week. Bundle both for $90/week.

Everything is included in the $500 fee:

♟ Daily chess lessons and tournament play
🏊 Pool days at Carmel Valley Community Youth Center (CVCYC) — admission included. Bring swimsuit, towel, and goggles.
🌳 Playground at Tatum's Treehouse
🎬 Friday Movie Day
🍽 Meals every day — breakfast, snack, and lunch
♞ Giant floor chess set
♛ USCF membership and official chess rating
🏆 Trophy closing ceremony on Friday — parents invited

Register online at cvchess.com/summer-camp.html. Space is limited. Early bird pricing ($450) is available until May 16, 2026 — after that the price is $500. Questions? Email chessclubcv@gmail.com or call (831) 392-7456.

14+ days before camp: Full refund minus a $35 processing fee.
7–13 days before camp: 50% refund.
Less than 7 days: No refund. A 50% credit may be issued at Coach JB's discretion.
With a doctor's note: Full credit valid for 12 months.

All refund requests go to chessclubcv@gmail.com.

Yes. Every Friday from 5–9pm, Carmel Valley Chess Club hosts $5 Friday Night Chess — adults only, no registration required. Just show up, pay $5 at the door, and play. Bring a beverage and snacks. All skill levels welcome from complete beginners to experienced tournament players. Learn more →

No registration needed. Just show up any Friday between 5–9pm. $5 at the door. Adults only (18+). 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 201, Carmel Valley — upstairs above Mika Sushi.

Drop-in visitors are welcome Fridays only, 5–9pm for adult chess night. The after-school program during the week is by enrollment only and not open to walk-ins.

Yes. Carmel Valley Chess Club hosts USCF rated tournaments right here at 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 201. Our first tournament was May 23, 2026 — a 5-round Swiss G/30 event open to all skill levels. Future tournaments are planned. Check cvchess.com/tournaments.html for upcoming events.

A USCF rating is an official numerical measure of chess playing strength, assigned by the United States Chess Federation. Every Summer Camp participant and tournament player receives a USCF membership and their first official rating as part of their enrollment. Ratings are tracked nationally and updated after every rated event. Read our full guide to USCF ratings →

Research consistently shows chess improves focus, working memory, mathematical reasoning, and emotional regulation in children. A meta-analysis of 24 studies found chess instruction significantly improved math scores and reading ability. Beyond academics, chess teaches children to sit with a hard problem, think independently, lose gracefully, and plan ahead — skills that transfer directly to school and life. Read more about the benefits of chess for kids →

Children as young as 5 can learn the basic rules and enjoy chess. We welcome kids starting at age 5 in both our after-school program and Summer Camp. The earlier a child starts the more deeply chess becomes part of how they think — but there is no age that is too late to start. We have seen complete beginners of all ages fall in love with the game quickly.

Chess is recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee and governed in the United States by the United States Chess Federation (USCF). Like traditional sports, competitive chess involves structured rules, official ratings, national tournaments, and governing bodies. Many schools count chess as an extracurricular sport activity.