Learn Chess from the Best

Welcome to The International Chess School

The International Chess School’s mission is to benefit children through chess education.

The International Chess School promotes chess as an effective educational tool in curricular classes and enrichment programs for elementary, middle and high schools, in both the public and private sectors.

The International Chess School sponsors tournaments for those students, who seek the competitive aspect of chess in order to help and motivate them to higher levels of intellectual achievement.

Chess, one of the oldest and most challenging games, is a pedagogical tool for young students, through which they learn critical and analytical thinking, ownership over their decisions, and discipline, which are integral and applicable to other intellectual endeavors and life skills.

International Chess School, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity established in 1995.

Programs

Classes

The International Chess School has established its programs in various schools, both public and private.

The ICS hands-on method of teaching chess in school curriculum and afterschool programs is widely recognized by educators as a useful, cognitive tool to bring chess in education.

Classes

Outreach

The International Chess School’s outreach programs engage youth from different backgrounds with chess activities as part of multi-national intellectual development.

Our programs have a footprint that reaches many corners of the world.

Outreach

Tournaments

The International Chess School organizes and sponsors various youth tournaments.

ICS students participate at State, National, Continental and World Youth Championships.

Tournaments

Alumni

Grandmaster Mackenzie “Mac” Molner

Some of Mackenzie’s best performances include: First place at the prestigious Denker Championship of HS Champions in 2004. Became Grandmaster in 2013; Tied for first place in the 2013 US Open; 3 time New Jersey State Champion. Mackenzie decided to follow the footsteps of his coach, Michael Khodarkovsky, becoming a full time coach himself. He has coached the United States Youth Team at the World Youth Championships.

Andrew Ng – 2009 US Cadet Champion

Andrew was modest saying, “It was not about winning but the friendships that were made.” U.S. Team World Youth Trainer and Andrew’s coach Michael Khodarkovsky described the new Cadet Champ’s style for CLO “He plays dynamic and open chess, looking for tactical solutions all the time. He hates boring positions, doesn’t like draws.” Michael has been coaching Andrew since the age of 8, and says, “I’m very proud of him.” (quote from CLO, 2009)

Anna Matlin

Anna Matlin National Master, along with NM Andrew Ng, were members of the US teams at the World Youth and Pan-American Championships. Both are alums of Princeton University, both are working in the tech industry in California now.

Anna Matlin has also won the 2004 KCF All Girls U8 National Championship in Chicago and the 2010 North American Youth Championship in Montreal.

Retired and Rising Stars

Coaches and students of International Chess School formed a team: “Retired and Rising Stars” at the 2002 US Amateur Team East Championships, and went undefeated with 5 won and 1 drawn matches to clinch 2nd place.

In the photo, Back row: FIDE Senior Trainer Michael Khodarkovsky, Grandmaster Gennadi Zaitchik; Front row: Mackenzie Molner, Sean Finn, and Daniel Gordon.

2008 USATE Winning Team

“The 2008 USATE prize for best girls’ team went to “Real Gentlemen Would Resign.” They also took second in the Scholastic category. If you sensed déjà vu, you were right, as three of the four girls were on last year’s team, “Khodarkovsky Queenside Attack.” Is this a dynasty in the making?”

-Chess Life (May 2008)

Donate

The International Chess School promotes chess as an effective educational tool in curricular classes and enrichment programs for elementary, middle and high schools, public and private.

The International Chess School sponsors tournaments for those students, who seek the competitive aspect of chess in order to help and motivate them to higher levels of intellectual achievement.

Donate