We Bring
Chess to Life

Spring programming now available

Library

Expert curated games

For Members

Members

When the pandemic happened we started playing chess. We used a hundred apps to find instructors. We contacted dozens of clubs to find other chess players.  Finding a chess community as a newcomer is not easy.


Through persistence, however, we met so many amazing chess players: a Grandmaster (or 2), Women Grandmasters, chess streamers, state champions, youth champions, national team members, a former World Champion, & many more casual players like us.


Over time we realized our chess community was growing. So we did the logical thing and started our own club. 


Today that club has become the Islip Chess Club & our mission is to introduce all our new chess friends to you.



In the process we hope to make world class chess instruction more accessible & the process of learning chess more sustainable. We hope you'll join us.


Sincerely,

When the pandemic happened we started playing chess.


On our journey we met amazing chess players: a Grandmaster (or 2), Women Grandmasters, streamers, state champions, youth champions, national team members, a former World Champion, & casual players like us.


We realized our chess community was growing so we started a club. Today that club is the Chessminds.co & our mission is to introduce our new chess friends.


Along the way we hope to make world class chess instruction more accessible & the process of learning chess more sustainable. We hope you join us.



Sincerely,

Visit our FAQ to get Started.

Special Guests

Special Guests from around the world deliver group lessons on their favorite topics.

Below are some special people we've been fortunate to meet.


We thank each of them and hope you will join us for their upcoming Special Guest Lesson. Spots are limited, book today.

May 2022

Savetha, WCM

Currently ranked in the USCF Women Top 100 list (46) Savetha has been playing chess competitively for 20 years.


Savetha is a Woman Candidate Master, FIDE Instructor, full-time chess professional, and Chief Chess Officer here at the Long Island Chess Academy.

Register

June 2022

Eli, Expert

Eli is a chess coach with an NCFP rating of 2212. He oversees a fun, but intensive, online chess summer camp for the New York Chess Academy.



The best youth coach we know, Coach Eli oversees a perfect chess boot camp for newcomers.

Register

September 2022

Atousa, WGM

Atousa is a former member of the Iranian Chess National Team and 7 time Iranian Champion.


She became a Woman Grand Master at the 2008 Chess Olympiad, won the 2010 Asian Championship and qualified for the world cup (RU), and more.

Register

*Live lessons are one hour. Lessons are recorded on Zoom and available to members in our video library. 

**A link will be provided at the end of the session for Special Guest Private lesson inquires.

Enjoy summer break.

*Our Special Guest series will return in September.

Academy Play

"Find the beauty in repetition." - Magnus Carlsen, FIDE World Champion

Learning chess requires practice at regular intervals. Check out these after school programs, camps, & online tournaments.

Learning chess requires practice at regular intervals.


To provide a firm chess foundation we partnered with the New York Chess Academy who provides regular after school programming, camps, & online tournaments.

Adult Beginners

Beginner to intermediate players. Participants will learn the basics, rules, & objectives. Class size: 8

Register

Provider:
NYCA

Chess-Schoolers

Absolute beginners learn how to move, special moves, chess language, & rules of the game. Ideal for K-12.

Register

Provider:
NYCA

strategy-strategic-management-planning-chess

Queens Class

Opening, middle-game, strategy, positional play, & endgame techniques. Includes discussion & HW.

Register

Provider:
NYCA

Private Lessons

Students will be assessed & lesson plans crafted based on the needs, skill-level, strengths & weaknesses. *Choose your own schedule.

Sold Out

Provider:
LICA Staff

*Regular classes & lichess tournaments are provided in partnership with the New York Chess Academy.

Classrooms

Private Lessons

Nothing beats individualized attention from a dedicated instructor.

Select one of our vetted, expert & master level chess instructors for regular, private lessons. 


After two weeks, we'll set you up with your own personal library of annotated games from which to study and improve.

View more

Video Library

Learn tricks and traps from your favorite master that you won't find on Youtube.

Youtube is a great source of learning. We should know we relied on it to get started. The problem is so did everyone else. 


As a result games can become repetitive, even dull, & your advantage is fleeting.


To remedy this we developed a library of content from our Special Guests Lectures.

*Our Special Guests are chess professionals who focus on chess, not streaming or "content."

What's Next?

Tell us straight out...what do you want to learn?

Ruy Lopez

Interested in playing the Ruy Lopez? Want to learn the best traps and tricks not on Youtube?  Need help defending against it. Let us know!

Vote

Kings Indian

Still looking for your best defense with black?  Tired of fending off attacks and not being on the offensive?  Maybe this is the lesson you need?

Vote

Sicilian Dragon

Looking for an opening  capable of surprising your opponent at any minute? Do you excel in attacking with your Bishop? Vote today.

Vote

Italian Game

Carnage everywhere. An active game with lots of tactical manuevering. Does this describe you? the Italian Game could be a perfect fit for you. Let us know.

Vote

Curated Games

Instructive games curated by expert & master level chess professionals.

queens gambit decline

5 Games to Learn the Queen's Gambit Declined

By Brendan Stanton • October 28, 2019
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two knights defense

Three Games to Learn the Two Knights Defense

By Brendan Stanton • October 24, 2019
3 Games to Master the 2 Knights Defense

Knock'em Dead with the Sicilian Dragon (Yugoslav)

By Brendan Stanton • October 24, 2019
There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.
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