About Us
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Founded in 2004 by two former Chinese national chess players, Lü Xiaosha and Deng Kongliang, Beyond Chess Academy introduced professional chess education to the Los Angeles area. The academy has studios in San Gabriel and Rowland Heights and is the first Chinese-owned professional chess academy in the United States. From beginner to advanced levels, all classes are taught by two international chess masters.
For over a decade, the academy has promoted and popularized chess in Southern California and cultivated master-level students, including world champions who excel academically and remain active in global chess circles.
 
The academy's distinctive teaching style emphasizes a balanced approach that combines professional players' theoretical knowledge with practical skills. With over a decade of instructional experience, we guide students through structured lesson plans, interactive game analysis sessions, personalized feedback, and real competition practice, creating a progressive system tailored for learners at every level. These exceptional students, driven by their passion for chess, continue to be active in chess circles worldwide, including world champions WGM Jennifer Yu (Harvard) and IM Annie Wang (MIT), who have achieved remarkable academic success.

The college offers internship opportunities and teaching assistant training to students interested in education, and is happy to write letters of recommendation for top students seeking admission to prestigious universities.

In 2020, online classes will be fully launched, and the San Gabriel branch will reopen in 2023. Both online and in-person classes will be available, enabling flexible teaching methods.
Beyond Chess Academy has become a recognized leader in the Southern California chess world!

"Thinking to transcend, never tired of learning" Beyond Chess Academy, transcending dreams!