About Surat Chess Club — a chess academy in Vesu, Surat
Surat Chess Club is an offline chess academy on VIP Road in Vesu, founded in 2016 by head coach Rushi Shah. Since then more than 500 students — children from age four, teenagers and adults — have learned the game here, over real boards, in small batches, on a ten-level curriculum. This page is who we are, how we teach, and what we have built in Surat so far.
How the club started
Rushi Shah had been playing competitive chess for years — including national-level tournaments representing Gujarat — when he opened Surat Chess Club in Vesu in 2016, to teach chess as a proper subject: in order, level by level, with a coach in the room.
The mission he set then has not changed: to build a real chess culture in Surat, where every student genuinely falls in love with the game — not just learns the moves, and not just chases a trophy.
Ten years on, the club has guided more than 500 students, most of whom started knowing nothing. Some go on to rated tournament play; many simply play well, think carefully and enjoy the game for life. Both outcomes count. Today the elite King Plan is led by FIDE Master Jeet Jain, and in 2026 the club began hosting its own tournaments and titled-player camps in Surat.
Surat Chess Club at a glance
Founded in Vesu by Rushi Shah, who still personally teaches the Knight, Rook and Queen batches.
Children, teenagers and adults guided from their first moves — most with no chess background at all.
A published ten-level curriculum — Foundation, Development and Mastery — with a workbook for each level.
Across 41 public reviews from Surat parents and students. Read them on Google.
What we believe about teaching chess
Six rules we hold every batch to. None of them is clever; the difficulty is keeping them every single week.
One idea at a time
Every class teaches one idea on the demonstration board, practises it on the students' own boards, then uses it in a real game. A new idea only arrives once the last one is secure.
Over the board, not on a screen
All coaching is offline in Vesu, on tournament boards with weighted pieces. Apps are fine for practice at home; they are not where a child learns to sit, think and play.
Small batches, placed by level
Students are grouped by what they know, not by birthday, and batches are kept small so the coach reaches every table every session.
Tournament habits from day one
Every plan uses chess clocks and move notation from the first term, so nothing in a tournament hall is ever new. Our first-tournament guide explains why.
Explained, not drilled
Positions are taught as stories with a reason behind each move, so students can find the idea again in their own games instead of recalling a pattern.
Parents kept informed
A short progress note every month, and the coach at pick-up. Classes are students-only, so the room stays focused — including the free trial.
The coaches
Rushi Shah
FIDE-rated player with 15+ years over the board, including national-level tournaments for Gujarat. Founded the club in 2016 and leads the Knight, Rook and Queen batches — the large majority of students. Read his profile →
FM Jeet Jain
FIDE Master with a standard rating of 2312, a peak of 2361 and two International Master norms; coaching since 2015. Leads the King Plan for tournament players pushing their rating. Read his profile →
What we have hosted in Surat
Beyond the weekly classes, 2026 was the year the club started running events of its own. Each one has a full record with photographs.
FM Jeet Jain's first camp
A camp at the club on 2 May 2026, run by our King Plan coach. About our camps.
Chess Tournament, July 2026
75 players across Under 7, Under 10 and Open at HopUp Sports Arena on 26 July. See the photographs.
Camp with IM Anup Deshmukh
An International Master with fourteen students on 3 August — a full camp. Read the record.
CCC Surat Chess Cafe Showdown
Chess Coffee Connect's first Surat tournament on 16 August — sixteen players, five rounds of rapid. See the day.
Junior Rapid Championship
38 junior players in three age categories on 6 September, co-hosted with HopUp Sports Arena. Results and photographs.
Holiday camps and more
Camps in school breaks are planned, and every event gets its own WhatsApp update group. Upcoming tournaments.
Where to find us
Surat Chess Club
1st Floor, UG 13, Canal Walkk Shoppers, VIP Road, opposite L.P. Savani School, Vesu, Surat, Gujarat 395007.
The classroom is on the first floor, directly opposite L.P. Savani School; parking is available outside. Families come from all over Surat — the closest neighbourhoods are Piplod (about 7 minutes by car), Dumas Road (about 8), and Althan and City Light (about 10).
Classes run Tuesday to Sunday — after school on weekdays, mornings and afternoons at the weekend — and the King Plan also meets on Monday evenings. Classes are taught in English, Hindi or Gujarati.
What families say
From our public Google reviews — 4.9 stars across 41 reviews at the time of writing.
"Best chess coaching in Vesu, Surat. Structured training, personal attention, and strong focus on tournament preparation. Coach Rushi is very dedicated."
"A good place to learn chess seriously. Coach explains patiently and gives individual attention when needed. Classes are disciplined and well organized."
Read every written review on one page → · See them on Google →
About the club — common questions
When was Surat Chess Club founded?
Who owns and runs Surat Chess Club?
Where is Surat Chess Club?
How many students have trained at the club?
Are classes online or offline?
Who can join?
Does the club organise tournaments?
Come and see a class
One session, sixty minutes, no cost and no obligation. Meet the coach, see the room and the boards, and get an honest read on where to start.