
NE Winter Chess Classes
Winter 2027 Competitive Chess Classes
Rook • Queen • King
Refer a Friend —
Both Get $15 Credit!
Invite a friend to join! Once they register and pay, you’ll both get $15 credit toward any future CMC program. *Please contact us with your friend's name after they register so we can apply the credit.
To qualify, the referring student must have completed at least one previous Chess Minds Calgary class semester.
Sibling Discount
Available!
Registering more than one child? Use promo code W27CCC at checkout to get $20 off each additional child’s registration. The code must be applied separately during each registration.
Summary: the first child is full price, and every sibling after that (second, third, fourth, etc.) receives the $20 sibling discount.
Early-Bird Discount –
Save $20!
Register your child early to secure their spot and enjoy an instant $20 savings off the standard class price! Auto-applied at checkout.
To qualify, complete your child’s registration and payment by November 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Class Registration ends:
December 15, 2026, (11:59pm)
About the Competitive Pathway
The Rook, Queen, and King classes make up the Chess Minds Calgary Competitive Pathway. These levels are designed for students who have developed a strong chess foundation and are ready for more advanced instruction, stronger competition, and a greater emphasis on practical playing ability. Progression through the Competitive Pathway requires additional chess practice, independent study, and regular game or tournament experience outside of class. These weekly classes provide the instruction, structure, and guidance, while independent practice and regular gameplay help students apply those lessons consistently in real games and develop stronger playing ability.
Eligibility & Advancement
1) Understanding the concepts taught is important, but practical playing strength and consistency are a major part of advancement. Students must demonstrate solid, consistent gameplay and overall readiness for the next level.
2) Students may need to repeat a Competitive Pathway class level before they are ready to advance. This gives them more time to strengthen their practical gameplay through additional practice and game experience before moving on. Advancing before they are ready can make it harder to keep up with the stronger competition, higher standards, and more advanced material at the next level.
3) Repeating a class level does not automatically make a student more likely to advance. To advance, students need to show improvement in practical gameplay, tactical awareness, piece safety, decision-making, and the consistent application of learned concepts during games.
4) CFC rating benchmarks are used as general eligibility guidelines. Meeting a benchmark does not automatically guarantee placement or advancement. Final class placement and advancement are based on overall readiness and coach approval.
What’s Included in Every Competitive Chess Class
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10 weekly, 1.5-hour, in-person class sessions
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Structured lessons + extended training games
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Weekly Concept Review PDFs to reinforce strategies & ideas learned in class
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End-of-Semester Student Evaluation & Class Advancement Recommendation
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20% discount on all Chess Minds Calgary hosted tournaments
Unsure which class level is right for your child? Click here.
Rook
Every Monday,
5.10pm - 6.40pm
(Jan 4 - Mar 15)
Location: #274, 3359 27 Street, NE: The Calgary Chess Club Price: $420 CAD (+ GST) Rook Class: The first level of our Competitive Pathway, designed for students who have completed the foundational curriculum and are ready for stronger practical play, tougher competition, and more advanced instruction.
Eligibility Guidelines
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Has successfully completed the Bishop Class or demonstrated equivalent playing strength.
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Typically has an established CFC rating of around 900 or higher.
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Demonstrates appropriate practical playing strength & consistency.
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Receives coach approval or invitation.
Note: CFC ratings are used as a general benchmark. Final eligibility and placement are based on overall playing strength and coach assessment.
Requirement: A minimum of six students must be enrolled for this class to run. If the minimum enrollment requirement is not met, all registered participants will receive a full refund.
To Register: Students who are approved for the Rook class, whether through successful completion of the Bishop class level or through coach assessment, will receive the registration link directly by email.
Students who have not yet been assessed but may qualify for the Rook class can text "Rook" to 403-397-0017 or contact us by email to book an assessment.
Queen
Every Monday,
6.50pm - 8.20pm
(Jan 4 - Mar 15)
Location: #274, 3359 27 Street, NE: The Calgary Chess Club Price: $420 CAD (+ GST) Queen Class: The second level of our Competitive Pathway, designed for students who have developed solid practical playing strength and are ready for more advanced instruction, stronger competition, and greater consistency in applying concepts during games.
Eligibility Guidelines
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Has successfully completed the Rook Class or demonstrated equivalent playing strength.
-
Typically has an established CFC rating of around 1000 or higher.
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Demonstrates strong practical playing ability, tactical awareness, and consistency.
-
Receives coach approval or invitation.
Note: CFC ratings are used as a general benchmark. Final eligibility and placement are based on overall playing strength and coach assessment.
Requirement: A minimum of six students must be enrolled for this class to run. If the minimum enrollment requirement is not met, all registered participants will receive a full refund.
To Register: Students who are approved for the Queen class, whether through successful completion of the Rook class level or through coach assessment, will receive the registration link directly by email.
Students who have not yet been assessed but may qualify for the Queen class can text "Queen" to 403-397-0017 or contact us by email to book an assessment.
King
COMING SOON
Available in Spring
Location: COMING SOON Price: $420 CAD (+ GST) King Class: The highest level of our Competitive Pathway, designed for experienced students who demonstrate strong, consistent practical play and are ready for advanced instruction, challenging competition, and the highest standards of gameplay within our class system.
Eligibility Guidelines
-
Has successfully completed the Queen Class or demonstrated equivalent playing strength.
-
Typically has an established CFC rating of around 1100 or higher.
-
Demonstrates strong practical playing ability, tactical awareness, and consistency.
-
Receives coach approval or invitation.
Note: CFC ratings are used as a general benchmark. Final eligibility and placement are based on overall playing strength and coach assessment.
Requirement: A minimum of six students must be enrolled for this class to run. If the minimum enrollment requirement is not met, all registered participants will receive a full refund.
To Register: Students who are approved for the King class, whether through successful completion of the Queen class level or through coach assessment, will receive the registration link directly by email.
Students who have not yet been assessed but may qualify for the King class can text "King" to 403-397-0017 or contact us by email to book an assessment.
King Graduate Opportunities
Students who successfully complete the King Class may be considered for future CMC opportunities including advanced training sessions, exclusive events, tournament or exhibition opportunities, and volunteer or leadership roles as they become available.
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