At the North American Chess School, we strive to provide high-quality, structured, and engaging chess lessons. To ensure a smooth experience for both students and coaches, please review the following policies:

1. Scheduling & Booking

  • Lessons must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Students or parents can book lessons via email or direct messaging.
  • Regular students may reserve a fixed weekly time slot.
  • Same-day scheduling is available only in exceptional cases at the teacher’s discretion.
  • A lesson is officially scheduled only after payment is received (or if the student has available lessons in a prepaid package). Unpaid lessons are not considered scheduled.

2. Cancellation & Rescheduling

  • A minimum of 24-hour notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling.
  • Late cancellations (within 24 hours) will be charged 50% of the lesson fee, except in emergencies.
  • No-shows without notice will be charged 100% of the lesson fee.
  • If a student is running late, rescheduling is only possible in exceptional cases and when the teacher has availability. Otherwise, the lesson must take place within the originally scheduled time frame.
  • The coach reserves the right to reschedule lessons due to emergencies or tournament obligations.
  • We prioritize our students’ well-being—if a student has a health condition, they may reschedule the lesson on the same day without penalty.

3. Payment Policy

  • Lesson payments must be made before the session via the official website, Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, or other approved methods.
  • Discounted lesson packages (e.g., 5 or 10 lessons) are available.
  • No refunds for unused lessons in a package, but rescheduling within a reasonable period is allowed.

4. Lesson Duration & Structure

  • Available lesson durations: 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 1 hour.
  • Lessons include:
    • Game analysis
    • Opening preparation
    • Tactical exercises
    • Endgame training
    • Strategy discussions tailored to the student’s level and goals
  • The teacher provides homework and self-study recommendations to support continued improvement.
  • Students are encouraged to have a Chess.com or Lichess account for skill evaluation and game analysis.

5. Code of Conduct

  • Respectful communication is expected from both students and parents.
  • Any inappropriate behavior may result in immediate lesson termination without a refund.
  • Parents are welcome to observe lessons, but minimal interference is requested.

6. Trial Lessons & New Students

  • New students may receive a 50% discount on their first trial lesson.
  • The first lesson includes an assessment of strengths, weaknesses, and training goals.

7. Tournaments & Additional Support

  • Students are encouraged to participate in tournaments, with coaching support available.
  • Additional services, such as game review outside of lessons, may be available for an extra fee.