New York Scholastic Chess Club offers curriculum chess and after-school programs to schools, private lessons for groups and individuals, host tournaments and run chess camps during school breaks. Our programs are tailored to students ranging from absolute beginner to national champions.
In 2019 alone our schools won 1st place at the New York City Championships in multiple sections, individual champions and multiple top 10 finishes. We also had top 2 finishes as a team and individually at Girls Nationals in Chicago and many top 10 finishes at Nationals in Nashville.
Founder / Manager Ivan Dirkx's experience playing top-level scholastic chess in New York City means NYSCC has unique insight into the needs of our students.

-Ivan Dirkx

AFTER SCHOOL

PROGRAMS

We're proud to offer after school programs throughout the city!

PS 199

PS 334

The Anderson School

PS 452

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UPCOMING

TOURNAMENTS

The Anderson School regularly hosts chess tournaments for students.

October 20, 2019

November 24, 2019

February 9, 2020

April 26, 2020

MORE INFORMATION

PRIVATE

LESSONS

NYSCC is happy to offer private lesson for all levels of chess players. Our expert teachers will create a program styled to your childs needs. Group lessons are also available. Please contact NYSCC for available times and rates.

MEET OUR

INSTRUCTORS

IVAN DIRKX

Founder/Instructor

Ivan has the unique experience of having grown up in New York City playing scholastic chess at a top level. His instructors included Josh Waitzkin and Bruce Pandolfini, some of the most well known chess players and instructors in the world. With that comes the understanding of what is needed to be successful as a student and teacher

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IM SILAS ESBEN LUND

Instructor

Silas is an International Master and 6-time chess author. For more than 15 years, Silas has been teaching chess to multiple students on different levels. He has also helped start up scholastic chess in Copenhagen, and he has international coaching experience from several European and World Youth Championships.

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WIM VIKTORIJA NI

Instructor

Viktorija has played competitive chess for 20 years. She played in her first World Youth Championship at the age of nine and has won many championships in Europe and the US. She finished fourth in the U.S. Women's Championships in 2012 and 2015 and has played in two Chess Olympiads for Latvia and two Women's World Team Championships for the US.

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MATHEU JEFFERSON

Instructor

Matheu Jefferson has been teaching chess since he was a high school student at Bronx Center for Science and Math. While there he helped start a chess team, which won the 12th grade National Championship in 2012. He has been with Anderson the past several years while also getting his Bachelor's Degree in Physics.

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TAE KIM

Instructor

Tae is currently a chess expert studying business management in Baruch College. His most notable accomplishment was getting tied for 2nd in 12th grade nationals held in Orlando, Florida. He hopes to encourage the next generation of kids through chess because it teaches patience, focus and cognitive thinking!

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IM GIROGI BAKHTADAZE

Instructor

Giorgi Bakhtadaze is an International Chess Master who has been teaching chess in New York City for over 20 years with multiple students who have gone on to be national champions. He is a two time world youth champion and 11 time Georgian Youth National Champion. In his personal life, Giorgi is married with 4 kids.

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CHARLIE REEDER

Instructor

Charlie Reeder is currently a student at Dartmouth College. From grades k-8, Charlie attended the Anderson School, which is where she learned how to play chess. Charlie has enjoyed chess since kindergarten and has been competing in scholastic and open tournaments since 2nd grade.

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CAMERON HULL

Instructor

Cameron Hull is a New York City based chess educator and active tournament player. He has taught and served on the Board of Directors at the Marshall Chess Club in Manhattan. He has taught at many schools throughout the 5 boroughs. He currently teaches at PS166, PS9, PS84, the Anderson School, and PS199.

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JONATHAN HIDALGO

Instructor

Jonathan has been a strong scholastic chess player since his first year of intermediate school, where he earned a spot in the top 100 ranking for chess players in the US his age every year after. He was on various teams to score in the top 5 in nationals throughout his scholastic career. In the 2012 grade nationals where his team won 1st place.

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