Backyard Chess Club is a 2-hour chess experience designed to make learning and chess exciting and meaningful. With a low student-to-coach ratio, we ensure personalized attention and a welcoming environment where kids thrive.

Our sessions are rooted in the belief that when kids enjoy the process, they become self-motivated learners. We emphasize connection—between students, coaches and the game itself.

Our clubs have an immersive and structured flow:

20 minutes for dinner and casual games
45-minute engaging lesson
15-minute break to unwind and bond
G15; d5 Tournament game using chess clocks, notation and official rules to build confidence and competition readiness

We don’t just teach chess—we build a community where kids grow, connect and love the game!

Backyard Chess Club is everywhere!

Each club meets at the home of a student’s host family who offers a welcoming space for kids to learn and connect. These homes provide a quiet environment for learning, a comfortable space for playing chess and a spacious outdoor area for kids to interact during breaks.

We currently have active locations in Baldwin Park, Winter Park and Dr. Phillips. This unique model allows us to launch new clubs flexibly and organically across Florida—bringing BYC to even more communities!

We thoughtfully place each child into a designated club day based on age, skill level, availability and friend groups to make sure they’re set up for success.

Our clubs meet from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, giving kids plenty of time to enjoy afterschool activities or unwind at home before chess begins. A few clubs are hosted on weekend afternoons.

Enjoy four 9-week sessions each year. We follow the OCPS Calendar for major breaks and offer Chess Camps over the summer.

We also host an online arena tournaments every weekend. These flexible events allow kids to compete from anywhere, anytime.