A city guide to chess life in Khabarovsk
Chess schools, clubs and chess lessons in Khabarovsk
A big guide to chess in Khabarovsk: where to learn, how to find a coach, a chess club, a tournament or simply somewhere to play. Verified addresses of schools and clubs by district, the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory, the Eastern Economic Forum Cup, the governor's Cup, the Snow Queen Cup and the history of chess in the city - from the registration of the regional federation in 2015 to Khabarovsk schoolboy Daniil Kaminsky's successes at the Asian and world championships.
Useful for parents looking for a school for a child and for adults thinking about returning to the board.
One of the notable chess centres of the Russian Far East
Chess life in Khabarovsk rests on the City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7 - both the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory and the coaching staff are based there. The main private network school is the Novy Gambit chess centre with 5 locations from Krasnorechenskaya 92 to Dzerzhinskogo 46a. The Temp network club (Dzerzhinskogo 64; Karla Marksa 113; Klubnaya 1) takes children from 5. In the Central district there are the Gambit (Leningradskaya 71) and Debut (Chekhova 2A, the Galaktika sports complex) clubs, the Art Fa school and the Otkrytie club. In May 2025 a new chess club, Iskra, opened in the city.
The current figure of the region's chess is Pavel Evgenyevich Bordyukhov, president of the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory since 17 June 2019. The main junior name is Daniil Kaminsky (b. 2016), who in December 2024 won the Asian schools blitz championship with a maximum score of 9 out of 9 and silver in classical chess, and in 2025 in Serbia became world junior champion in blitz and blitz solving. Khabarovsk's regular events are the governor's Cup, the Eastern Economic Forum Cup, the Snow Queen Cup (a stage of the Russian Children's Cup) and the Far East championship.
Chess schools and clubs in Khabarovsk
The chess addresses of Khabarovsk: the City Chess Centre at Lermontova 7, the Novy Gambit network with 5 locations, the Temp network with 3 venues, the Gambit, Debut and Otkrytie clubs and the Art Fa school. Every card is a working organisation with public contact details.
Where there is chess near you
Khabarovsk has five administrative districts. Below are the chess addresses in those districts where there are confirmed venues.
- The City Chess Centre - Lermontova St. 7
- The Gambit chess club - Leningradskaya St. 71
- The Temp chess club - Dzerzhinskogo St. 64
- The Temp chess club - Karla Marksa St. 113
- The Novy Gambit centre - Dzerzhinskogo St. 46a
- The Novy Gambit centre - Volochayevskaya St. 83
- The Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory - Dzerzhinskogo St. 24
- The Debut chess club (the Galaktika sports complex) - Chekhova St. 2A
- The Novy Gambit centre - Saltykova-Shchedrina St. 83
- The Novy Gambit centre - Krasnorechenskaya St. 92
- The Novy Gambit centre - Shatova St. 2/1
When to start a child, and what to choose
In Khabarovsk you can send a child to chess from 5 - to the Temp chess club (Dzerzhinskogo 64; Karla Marksa 113; Klubnaya 1), for instance, or to the Novy Gambit chess centre with 5 venues across the city. Children's tournaments under the auspices of the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory are held regularly at the City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7.
What parents should look at: the age and level of the group, the coach, the district, the timetable, whether there is tournament practice, how many children are in the group and what the atmosphere is like at the trial lesson.
What chess gives a child
- ConcentrationA game is thirty to sixty minutes in a single focus. That is a skill in its own right, and it pays off at school.
- Understanding consequencesIn chess nothing happens «by accident». A child learns to think a move ahead.
- Losing calmlyArguably more important than the wins. A child learns not to fall apart after a defeat and to try again.
- A communityThe child gets a circle of peers outside school and the courtyard, with an atmosphere of its own.
- Tournament experienceTravel, regulations, playing on the clock - all of it feeds a growing independence.
You can start from scratch, and nobody will laugh
The City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7 is Khabarovsk's main club venue for casual games and city tournaments. The Art Fa chess school works with adults, with the first lesson free. The Otkrytie chess club (chessdv.ru) offers programmes for beginners and for rated players alike. The city amateur format Vibe Chess is somewhere you can turn up knowing only the rules.
You do not need a rating or a rank. Nor do you have to join a group - you can work one-to-one, or simply come to club meetups and amateur tournaments. Competitive chess and the amateur format are two different worlds; in the amateur one what counts is not the result but the fact that you turned up.
Lessons at a club or a school
Regular lessons, a programme, a coach - if you want it systematic.
An individual coach
The fastest progress and a flexible timetable. It costs more.
Club meetings
Casual games, company, city tournaments rated and unrated.
Vibe Chess
City amateur tournaments in cafes and bars. No rating requirements.
Online lessons
If travelling is awkward, there are online schools not tied to a city.
Studying on your own
Books, lichess or chess.com, going over your games - alongside the lessons.
How to look for a coach in Khabarovsk
We deliberately do not compile a «top coaches in Khabarovsk». There is no objective data for a ranking, and subjective selections are often misleading. Criteria for choosing are more use.
The coaches work at the schools and clubs listed above and can be contacted directly through their websites. The Novy Gambit chess centre has more than 10 coaches at candidate-master level, and the school is equipped with professional DGT2010 clocks and a computer room. The Otkrytie chess club trains coaches and runs tournaments rated by the Russian federation. The City Chess Centre houses the federation's permanent coaching staff.
Experience with children
A child needs not the strongest player but the one who can explain. Ask how many children of that age the coach has taught.
Sporting title
Candidate master, master, international master are a guide but not a guarantee. What matters is the title combined with teaching experience.
Experience preparing for tournaments
If the aim is to travel for norms, you need a coach who has taken pupils to tournaments and understands the regulations.
Reviews and recommendations
A live word from parents or adult pupils beats a rating on an aggregator site. Ask friends and the VK groups.
District and format
For a child the journey is a big factor. Sometimes a good coach «right across town» works out worse than an average one round the corner. The alternative is online lessons.
Price
Prices in Khabarovsk vary by school and format. At Art Fa the first lesson is free. The rates of Novy Gambit (chess27.ru) and Temp (khvchess.orgs.biz) are on the schools' sites.
An individual approach
At a trial lesson the coach should be asking questions about the pupil rather than switching straight into «the programme».
Communication with parents
With a sensible coach it is clear what you are doing, why, and how progress is going. Answers along the lines of «all fine» are a bad sign.
A trial lesson
Never buy a season ticket off a photo and a description. One or two trial lessons are standard.
A guide to chess tuition prices in Khabarovsk
The price depends on the school, the format and the coach's title. Below is a guide to the main formats of chess tuition in Khabarovsk for 2025-2026. Exact rates are on the schools' own sites.
The Art Fa school - trial
The Art Fa chess school (Khabarovsk). The first lesson is free at any level.
The Novy Gambit centre
The Novy Gambit network (5 locations). The schedule and prices are at chess27.ru. Children from 6, group and individual formats.
The Temp chess club
The Temp network (Dzerzhinskogo 64; Karla Marksa 113; Klubnaya 1). It takes children from 5; the schedule is at khvchess.orgs.biz.
The Gambit chess club
The Gambit club (Leningradskaya 71) at the Voskhozhdenie children's centre. Open Mon-Fri 9:00-19:00.
The Debut chess club
The Debut club at the Galaktika sports complex, Chekhova St. 2A.
The Otkrytie chess club
The Otkrytie club (chessdv.ru). Lessons, rated tournaments and coach training.
The City Chess Centre
Lermontova 7. The federation's main city club venue, 10:00-20:15.
A Vibe Chess amateur tournament
City chess evenings in cafes and bars. Registration in the Telegram bot.
The Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory
A regional public organisation with an office at Dzerzhinskogo St. 24. Under its auspices come the Khabarovsk Territory governor's Cup, the Eastern Economic Forum Cup, the Snow Queen Cup (a stage of the Russian Children's Cup), the Far East championship and the regional championships. Its site is chesskhv27.ru.
Chess tournaments in Khabarovsk
The calendar of regional tournaments is kept by the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory at chesskhv27.ru. The main regular events are the Khabarovsk Territory governor's Cup, the Eastern Economic Forum Cup, the Snow Queen Cup (a stage of the Russian Children's Cup), the Far East championship and the regional championships in classical, rapid and blitz. In May 2025 Khabarovsk hosted major rapid and blitz tournaments marking the 80th anniversary of Victory. All rated tournaments can be filtered in the ratings.ruchess.ru system by region 27 (the Khabarovsk Territory).
What the formats are
Vibe chess in Khabarovsk
Vibe Chess runs city chess evenings in the cafes and bars of Khabarovsk. Short games, different opponents, real conversation between rounds. It suits anyone who wants to come back to chess without the atmosphere of an exam or the pressure of competition.
It is not a replacement for the classical schools but an addition to them. After a working week you do not want to sweat over the board - you want a good evening with a game and some interesting people. Vibe Chess has a page of its own for Khabarovsk with all the rules of the format.
What a «vibe tournament» means
- Short games: 3+2 or 5+3.
- Several rounds in an evening, with different opponents.
- The levels vary - nobody has to be strong.
- Between games you can talk and order a coffee or a drink.
- You can come on your own - that is the normal way of it.
- Registration and announcements are in the Telegram bot.
The history of chess in Khabarovsk
The key dates of Khabarovsk chess - from the registration of the regional federation in December 2015 and Pavel Bordyukhov's election as president in 2019 to Khabarovsk schoolboy Daniil Kaminsky's successes at the Asian (2024) and world (2025) championships.
The Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory, a regional public organisation, is registered.
Pavel Evgenyevich Bordyukhov is elected president of the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory.
Players from the Khabarovsk Territory win most of the medals at the Khabarovsk Territory governor's Cup - the main regional children's tournament.
Ten-year-old Khabarovsk resident Daniil Kaminsky wins the Asian schools blitz championship in Thailand without losing a single game (9 out of 9) and takes silver in classical chess.
Khabarovsk hosts major rapid and blitz tournaments marking the 80th anniversary of Victory. At the same time the new Iskra chess club opens.
In Serbia Daniil Kaminsky becomes world junior champion in blitz solving and in blitz, adding two silvers in rapid in the individual and team events.
Notable chess players connected with Khabarovsk
Names with a confirmed connection to Khabarovsk and the Khabarovsk Territory. Every card links to the source of the biography.
A checklist for choosing a chess school
For parents
- The age and level of the group - will the child land somewhere interesting for them.
- The coach - do they have experience with children of that age, and do they ask about your child.
- The district - can you realistically make the journey regularly. If not, online is better.
- The group's level - is the average level even, or will the child be «the weakest of all».
- Tournament practice - is there a plan to enter local events.
- The atmosphere - after the trial lesson the child wants to go again.
- Price and package - what is included, what is not, and whether there is a trial lesson.
- The timetable - does it fit around school and other activities.
- Reviews - live ones are better, not only from an aggregator.
For adults
- Whether there are adult groups, not only children's.
- Whether you can come from scratch - literally knowing only the rules.
- Whether there is a casual-play format, not only lessons.
- An evening timetable - can you get there after work.
- Whether the competitive pressure is heavier than you want.
- Whether there are amateur tournaments - for your own motivation.
- Whether the format suits you: a group, one-to-one, online or a club.
School, club, coach or tournament - the differences
Frequently asked questions about chess in Khabarovsk
Where can you learn chess in Khabarovsk?›
The city's main addresses are the City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7, the Novy Gambit chess centre with 5 locations (Krasnorechenskaya 92; Saltykova-Shchedrina 83; Volochayevskaya 83; Shatova 2/1; Dzerzhinskogo 46a), the Temp club with three venues (Dzerzhinskogo 64; Karla Marksa 113; Klubnaya 1), the Gambit club (Leningradskaya 71), the Debut club (Chekhova 2A), the Otkrytie club and the Art Fa school. The regional federation is the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory (chesskhv27.ru).
Which chess schools are there in Khabarovsk?›
On the city side there is the City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7 and the Gambit club at the Voskhozhdenie children's centre. Private: the Novy Gambit network (5 locations), the Temp network (3 venues), the Debut club at the Galaktika sports complex, the Otkrytie club and the Art Fa school.
Where can I find a chess club in Khabarovsk near home?›
In the Central district there is the City Chess Centre (Lermontova 7), Gambit (Leningradskaya 71), Temp (Dzerzhinskogo 64; Karla Marksa 113) and Novy Gambit (Dzerzhinskogo 46a; Volochayevskaya 83). In Kirovsky, Debut (Chekhova 2A) and Novy Gambit (Saltykova-Shchedrina 83). In Industrialny, Novy Gambit (Krasnorechenskaya 92; Shatova 2/1).
Where should I send my child for chess in Khabarovsk?›
You can send a child to the Temp chess club (Dzerzhinskogo 64; Karla Marksa 113; Klubnaya 1), which takes children from 5. Novy Gambit takes them from 6 (group and individual lessons). The Otkrytie club also enrols from 5. At the City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7 there are lessons for all ages in a club-games format.
Can an adult start playing chess from scratch?›
Yes. The Art Fa school offers lessons from any level, with the first lesson free. Club games and city tournaments are held at the City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7. The Otkrytie chess club offers programmes for beginners and for rated players alike. Vibe Chess Khabarovsk runs city chess meetups with no rating requirements and no sporting pressure.
How much does a chess coach cost in Khabarovsk?›
The prices depend on the school and the format. At the Art Fa school the first lesson is free. Novy Gambit (chess27.ru) and Temp (khvchess.orgs.biz) publish their schedules and rates on their sites. At the City Chess Centre there are club games and city tournaments within the city programme.
Where can I see the tournament calendar for Khabarovsk?›
The site of the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory is chesskhv27.ru. The main regular events are the Khabarovsk Territory governor's Cup, the Eastern Economic Forum Cup, the Snow Queen Cup (a stage of the Russian Children's Cup), the regional championships in classical, rapid and blitz, and the Far East championship. The national calendar is at ruchess.ru.
Where are official chess competitions held in Khabarovsk?›
Most regional events are at the City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7. In May 2025 it also hosted major rapid and blitz tournaments marking the 80th anniversary of Victory. The new Iskra chess club has opened, widening the city's network of venues.
What is the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory?›
A regional public organisation registered in December 2015. Its site is chesskhv27.ru. The president is Pavel Evgenyevich Bordyukhov (since 17 June 2019). Its address is Dzerzhinskogo St. 24, Khabarovsk. All the major regional tournaments take place under the federation's auspices, including the Eastern Economic Forum Cup and the governor's Cup.
Who is Daniil Kaminsky and why does he matter for chess in Khabarovsk?›
Daniil Kaminsky (b. 2016) is a Khabarovsk schoolboy and a member of the Russian team. In December 2024 he won the Asian schools blitz championship in Thailand with a maximum score of 9 out of 9, adding silver in classical chess. In 2025 in Serbia he became world junior champion in blitz solving and in blitz, plus two silvers in rapid (individual and team).
How many venues does Novy Gambit have in Khabarovsk?›
Five. The addresses are Krasnorechenskaya St. 92; Saltykova-Shchedrina St. 83; Volochayevskaya St. 83; Shatova St. 2/1; and Dzerzhinskogo St. 46a. To enrol, call +7 (924) 403-27-96 or email newgambit.club@gmail.com. The site is chess27.ru.
What is the difference between a chess school and a chess club?›
A school is a system: a programme, a coach, regular lessons, an assessment and a route to tournaments. A club is a place to play, run into other players and get to local tournaments. In Khabarovsk the school role is filled by Novy Gambit, Temp and Art Fa, and the club role by the City Chess Centre at Lermontova St. 7.
Do I need a rating to play in a tournament?›
Amateur meetups and Vibe Chess are unrated and you can turn up from scratch. Tournaments rated by the Russian federation require the player to be registered in the system, through a club or the Chess Federation of the Khabarovsk Territory. Sporting events with rank norms need a confirmed rank or a permit.
Where can I play chess without the competitive pressure?›
Vibe Chess Khabarovsk runs city chess meetups in cafes and bars. The games are short (3+2 or 5+3), the levels vary, and nobody judges you after every mistake. Announcements and registration are in the Telegram bot.
Can I come to chess on my own?›
Yes, to all of the formats. Most people come to city chess meetups without company - the format connects you through the games. And coming to a school on your own is standard.
Solve a chess puzzle
Mate in one - a real position from a chess database. Solve it and see if you're a fit for us.
The app instead of arbiter software
Pairings are computed by bbpPairings, an open-source engine implementing the Dutch system by FIDE rules: score groups, floats on an odd field, colour alternation. Free to use.
proper rounds with correct pairings, not random matchups
a full circle, with the round count derived from the field
a light format with no tournament machinery
- 1The event is created in the app in a minute
- 2Players register themselves through the link
- 3The engine pairs every round, not the organizer
- 4The finished tournament exports as a TRF file that arbiter software accepts
More about chess in Khabarovsk and in other cities
Besides the schools and sections, Khabarovsk hosts the informal Vibe Chess evenings - short games and new acquaintances in cafes and bars, where you can turn up knowing only the rules. And below are guides to learning in neighbouring cities and a catalogue of openings for practice on your own.