High Performance Hybrid Chess Program

Tournament Training Pathway for Advanced Students

Program Start Date: April 8

Program Overview

The Waterloo Chess Academy High Performance Hybrid Chess Program is designed for students who are serious about improving their chess and preparing for competitive tournament play.

This program combines international-level online theoretical training with structured in-person practical games and regional tournament practice. It is intended for ambitious students who want to build a clear pathway toward stronger competitive results.

The program is structured as an ongoing year-round training pathway for students committed to long-term chess improvement.

About International Master Vladyslav Larkin

We are excited to welcome International Master Vladyslav Larkin to the Waterloo Chess Academy training team.

Vlad became a Candidate Master at age 10 and earned the International Master title at just 16 years old. With a FIDE rating around 2500, he actively competes in strong international tournaments across Europe and around the world.

He has been coaching young tournament players internationally for approximately five years. As a competitive player himself, he understands the mindset, discipline, and preparation required for serious chess development.

Program Goals

• Build strong tournament playing skills
• Improve calculation and practical decision-making
• Develop modern opening understanding
• Strengthen middlegame planning
• Improve endgame technique
• Prepare students for rated tournaments and championship events

Prerequisites

• Completion of at least two semesters at Waterloo Chess Academy
• or approximate playing strength of 1000 rating or higher
• or Coach’s recommendation

This program is recommended for students who already have tournament experience or who are planning to begin serious competitive play.

Program Structure 

(Approximately 10 Hours Per Month)

Weekly Online Theoretical Training with IM Vladyslav Larkin – 1 hour

Students choose one weekly time option:

• Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00 PM
• Thursdays 5:00 – 6:00 PM

These sessions focus on modern tournament preparation, opening understanding, calculation training, strategic planning, and advanced practical themes.

Weekly Practical Training Games – 1 hour

Students play structured serious games with other advanced students during Waterloo Chess Academy in-person sessions. Practical training is led and supervised by Slobodan Markovic.

Students may choose the most convenient location for their weekly practical training:

• Mississauga – Fridays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Burlington – Sundays, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
• London – Mondays, 7:10 PM – 8:10 PM
• Guelph – Thursdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Woodstock – Mondays, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Oakville – Sundays, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
• Kitchener – Wednesdays, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Waterloo – Tuesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Stratford – Tuesdays, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
• Milton – Fridays, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Monthly Regional Tournament Practice – 2 hours

Advanced students from different cities will gather once per month for structured tournament-style training games.

These sessions are organized and supervised by Slobodan Markovic.

Locations will rotate between cities.
Current planned venue: Oakville Central Public Library
Time: Sundays 2:30 – 4:30 PM

Hybrid Membership Flexibility

Membership allows students to combine multiple Waterloo Chess Academy locations.

If a practical session is missed at one location, the student may attend another available session in a different city. This provides flexibility while maintaining consistent training volume.

Program Investment

High Performance Membership: $175 per month + HST

Membership includes:

• Weekly international-level theoretical training
• Weekly structured practical games
• Monthly regional tournament practice
• Flexible access to multiple in-person locations
• Long-term competitive development pathway

Equivalent private coaching value: approximately $500+ per month.

Program capacity is limited to 10 students per training group to ensure high training quality and individual attention.

Membership Terms

• Cancellation is possible with a minimum of 30 days’ written notice
• Membership may be paused with 30 days’ notice
• During school holiday periods students will receive two online training sessions plus one tournament session

Program Vision

The High Performance Hybrid Chess Program is designed to create one of the strongest structured youth chess development pathways in Canada and to help motivated students prepare for serious competitive chess.