Welcome to Silicon Valley Chess

“Chess isn’t just a game—it’s a way to connect, grow, and create unforgettable memories”

Viktor Grigorev 
Founder of Silicon Valley Chess

Join the SVC Community

Image of Viktor Grigorev, Mark Heimann, and AArtemiy Zorabyants smiling and posing together at a chess event.

Adults enjoying casual conversation and drinks during a Silicon Valley Chess Night in San Francisco — part of the Bay Area’s largest chess community.

Two players deep in thought during a fast-paced blitz game at a Silicon Valley Chess Community event — building friendships through chess across the Bay Area.

Friendly chess night atmosphere in San Francisco with players of all backgrounds socializing and competing at the board — a signature SVC Community vibe.

Who we are

We believe the Bay Area is full of brilliant, curious people—but genuine in-person connection is rare. That’s where chess comes in.

From community chess events in local venues, to weekend kids’ classes, corporate team-building sessions, and networking meetups — we use the timeless game of chess to build friendships, sharpen minds, and bring people together.

We organize a variety of in-person chess experiences across the Bay Area:

How we dedicated to our mission

SVC Community

At SVC Community, we host weekly chess events in San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and Campbell that bring people together over the board.

Each event draws 30–50 players of all backgrounds to play blitz, make new friends, and soak in the good vibes at fun local venues.

Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned pro, this is your space to connect, unwind, and share your love for chess — one move at a time.

Explore community

Viktor Grigorev faces off against a National Master from India during a packed Silicon Valley Chess Community night in San Francisco — chess boards, drinks, and good vibes all around

SVC Kids

SVC Kids offers fun, small-group chess classes for kids every weekend in Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Santa Clara.

Designed for beginners and experienced players alike, our weekend chess programs help children build critical thinking, confidence, and social skills through engaging, hands-on lessons.

With personalized coaching, interactive gameplay, and a warm community vibe, SVC Kids is where young minds grow, thrive, and form lifelong friendships — all through the game of chess.

Explore SVC Kids

Coach Jonathan guiding two kids through a chess puzzle during an SVC Kids class in Sunnyvale on Saturday

SVC Corporate

SVC Corporate brings chess to the workplace as a dynamic tool for team building, critical thinking, and collaboration.

From casual chess nights and blitz tournaments to strategy-focused workshops, we design every event around your company’s unique goals.

Perfect for startups, tech teams, and leadership groups, our corporate chess events spark creativity, boost engagement, and create memorable shared experiences that go beyond the board.

Explore Corporate

Team of employees participating in a corporate chess event with multiple ongoing games