Chess Built to Inspire Minds, Challenge, and Create Leaders.
Dedicated to inspiring kids, nurturing their curiosity, and guiding them towards a future filled with confidence and opportunity
+61 423 589 097
info@healthymindschessacademy.com.au
About
Our Story ...
After coaching chess in Victorian schools for over 18 years—including PLC, MLC, Haileybury, Camberwell Grammar, and Carey Grammar—we witnessed the profound impact of chess education on students’ intellectual and personal growth. Inspired by this, we founded Healthy Minds Chess Academy in 2015 to offer engaging, structured programs tailored for school chess clubs, private groups, and online learners.
Specialty
Why Choose Us
We offer both in-person and online classes, available for individuals or small groups, structured around a comprehensive syllabus designed to maximize student success through intensive weekly chess lessons.
My Message
Reason For Choosing Us
Many of our students have achieved remarkable
success, earning awards at prestigious chess
tournaments, securing scholarships to top-tier schools,
and excelling in math and science competitions. Others
have demonstrated significant academic improvement,
benefiting from enhanced focus and concentration
developed through our program.
- Healthy Minds Chess Academy
Academy
Our Programs
Our syllabus deeply explores each of these three stages of the game optimising to unlock the full learning potential of our students.
Beginner ...
Intermediate ...
Advanced ...
Services
Services to Schools
We offer the following services to schools.
Our School Program
Healthy Minds Chess Academy offers in-school chess clubs with sessions in the morning, during lunch, or after school, combining lessons and play to help students develop strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Through the lessons and interactions, we ensure to create an inclusive and stimulating environment that values the development of the whole child.
Chess Tournaments
Our inter-school chess tournaments give students a chance to showcase and develop their strategic skills and enjoy competing with peers from other schools in a safe & supportive environment. We also organises Victorian Zonal chess competitions for primary and high school teams, offering students and schools the chance to qualify for the Victorian State Semi-Final and Final Chess Tournaments.
Services
Services to Schools ...
We now extend our expertise to schools offering the following services.
School Chess Clubs
Healthy Minds Chess Academy offers in-school chess clubs with sessions in the morning, during lunch, or after school, combining lessons and play to help students develop strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Through the lessons and interactions, we ensure to create an inclusive and stimulating environment that values the development of the whole child.
Inter-school Tournaments
Our inter-school chess tournaments give students a chance to showcase and develop their strategic skills and enjoy competing with peers from other schools in a safe & supportive environment. We also organises Victorian Zonal chess competitions for primary and high school teams, offering students and schools the chance to qualify for the Victorian State Semi-Final and Final Chess Tournaments.
Process
How Do We Work?
Selection
An initial assessment places students in classes based on their skill level and age, with both in-person and online options available (in-person is recommended).
Accomplishment
Our program boosts academic performance, improves critical thinking and visualisation, and foster focus, strategic thinking and decrease risk evasion through win/loss situations.
Beyond the Board
Our program sharpens critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, while enhancing focus, patience, and creativity—essential traits for success in both personal and professional life.
Learn
Students follow a comprehensive syllabus with weekly sessions that build focus, memory, and creativity, introducing new concepts through gameplay and reinforced with homework.
Competitions
The Academy organizes individual and interschool competitions for primary and high school students, providing great opportunities to compete at advanced levels.
Testimonial
Words From Giants
"Lester is a highly skilled and successful chess coach who has been working for several decades in different settings including Victorian public and private schools such as Haileybury, PLC, MLC and Carey Grammar. His dedication to chess coaching is widely admired.
I wish Lester and Healthy Minds Chess Academy all the very best in their efforts to help children excel at this noble game."
Leonid Sandler International Master / International Arbiter and FIDE Trainer / President Chess Victoria 2009 – 2024
"I have worked with Lester at a number of private and public schools throughout Melbourne's east and southeast over a number of years including, Melbourne Ladies' College, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Christchurch Grammar and Camberwell Grammar School but to name a few. He is an effective and well-organized chess teacher with an ability to inculcate a motive to improve the chess skills of those he instructs. I believe Lester is quite passionate about teaching chess, and such passion should shine through in those under his tutelage. His methodical approach should allow him to teach at a number of different levels. I wish him well in his chess teaching endeavours."
Darryl Johansen Chess Grandmaster / Director at Chess Ideas, Australia
Contact
Join Us
Curious about joining Healthy Minds Chess Academy? We are here to assist! Reach out today to explore our programs, schedules, and how we can guide you on your journey to
mastering chess