Inspire Excellence in Chess and Life Skills
Empowering students through chess education and critical thinking.
Welcome to Chess Champs Academy
Our Mission
At Chess Champs Academy, we inspire students to excel in chess while cultivating life skills that extend beyond the board. Our programs nurture focus, problem solving, pattern recognition, and critical thinking to empower young minds to thrive in school and beyond.
We believe that chess is more than just a game. It’s a tool for empowering young minds to succeed academically, socially, personally, and develop timeless life skills. Whether your child is a beginner or an advanced player, our supportive environment helps them build confidence, develop resilience, and discover the joy of learning through play. Join us in unlocking the full potential of every child and watch as they thrive both on and off the board!
Student Testimonial
My student, Connor Selakovic, began attending my group classes at Loma Portal Elementary two years ago and started private lessons with me 1.5 years ago. Since then, he has won multiple local tournaments, gained confidence, and is now competing in rated competitions.
"My son Yuto has been improving in chess more rapidly than ever these past few months, and I attribute much of his growth to Coach Navid. He is very kind and patient with kids of all ages and is excellent at helping them build a strong foundation in chess. Because of this, my son started to win in tournaments, which he wasn't able to do before. I highly recommend Coach Navid to anyone who wants to enhance their skills in chess!" - Nobuko Iwasaki (Yuto's Mom)
About coach Navid
Hello! I’m Navid, and I’m excited to share my passion for chess with you and your students.
I first learned how to play chess at age five from my dad and uncle. I joined my school’s chess club in second grade and began playing competitive chess at age 9. As I got older, I also volunteered at my elementary school’s chess club to give back to the community that had given me so much as a kid.
Through my competitive chess journey, I eventually achieved the title of United States Chess Federation (USCF) Expert, with a rating of 2000. But chess has always been about much more than trophies or titles for me—it has been a transformative journey that helped shape who I am today.
Some of my happiest childhood memories came from chess. I had the opportunity to travel across the country to represent my school in tournaments, make lifelong friends, learn from incredible mentors, and connect with people from many different backgrounds.
But chess also had a deeper impact on my life. As a student, I struggled with focus in the classroom, and school often felt challenging. As I began improving at chess, I noticed changes beyond the chessboard. My focus became sharper, my problem-solving skills improved, and I became more patient. These changes didn’t just make me a better chess player—they made me a better student and person. Over the years, my focus and academic performance improved significantly.
That transformation inspired me to share the benefits of chess with others. In 2021, I began teaching chess at schools throughout San Diego County, where I saw firsthand the joy, confidence, and valuable life skills students gained through the game. I eventually founded Chess Champs Academy to bring those same benefits to even more students.
At Chess Champs Academy, our lessons are fun, engaging, and designed not only to teach chess, but also to help students grow as individuals. Through chess, students develop focus, patience, problem-solving, critical thinking, and pattern-recognition skills—skills that can benefit them both in school and throughout their lives.
Whether a student is learning how the pieces move or preparing for their next tournament, I’m passionate about helping every student build confidence, enjoy the game, and reach their full potential.
I look forward to helping your students make their next great move—both on the chessboard and in life!
Recommended Resources and Vendors
At Chess Champs Academy, we believe in supporting the students both on and off the chessboard.
We are putting together a collection of local businesses, educators, coaches, and organizations that we are happy to recommend to our families. These are businesses and professionals we know, work with, or believe can provide valuable services to children and families in our community.
Margaret Egler | College Admissions Coach
Margaret Egler is a San Diego-based college admissions coach who helps students thoughtfully navigate high school and the college application process. A Yale graduate, former attorney, and longtime humanities teacher with over 13 years of experience at High Tech High, Margaret works individually with students to discover their strengths and interests, build a thoughtful college list, and tell their stories with clarity and authenticity.
Website Link: https://www.margaretegler.com/
