Competitive chess coaching for kids who know how the pieces move and are ready for real strategy, tournament tactics, and steady growth — taught by state champions in small, friendly groups.
Be Smart Chess is dedicated to building a strong community of chess lovers — and nurturing a generation of strategic thinkers.
Over several years we've trained 100+ students, guiding them from the fundamentals all the way to advanced concepts and notable results in scholastic tournaments.
Our goal goes beyond the board: we want every student to leave with the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel in chess and in everything they take on.
Openings, tactics, middlegame plans and endgames — the things that win games.
Every player gets personal attention and feedback on their own games.
Ratings, trophies and — most of all — kids who love to think.
Every class is 90 minutes, built around how strong players actually improve: learn it, play it, review it.
Interactive lessons on advanced tactical patterns, opening principles, middlegame strategy and endgame mastery.
Students play rated-style games, record their moves, and get an immediate breakdown of their mistakes.
Real boards, real clocks, real tournament habits — in a small group setting.
Practice and lessons continue between classes on Lichess and Chess.com.
We go through students' tournament games, highlight what to improve, and strengthen the concepts behind it.
Students train with peers at their level and move up as they grow.
From the East Coast to the Great Plains — and all the way to India — students have trained with us, and we're now bringing over-the-board coaching to Illinois.
Hard work at the board, rewarded at the podium.
Elementary School Team title
Middle School Team title
Top performances in Baltimore, May 2026
Consistent top finishes in scholastic tournaments
Many students reach a 1000 rating in about a year
Spots are limited so every child gets personal attention. We set class times around what works for both our coaches and your family — reach out and we'll find the right fit, level and schedule for your child.
Text us to enroll