The Academy
We teach chess the way it is actually learned.
Viji Sports Academy is a fully online chess academy built around a simple philosophy: small live groups, a structured curriculum, and coaches who understand where each student stands — and what it takes to move forward. Wherever in the world they happen to log in from.
The Founder
Founded by India's First Woman Grandmaster
Arjuna Award RecipientSix-Time National Champion
Viji Sports Academy was founded by Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman — India's first Woman Grandmaster, an Arjuna Award recipient, and a six-time national women's champion.
A title is earned, not given. Her own record — a national sporting honor, Olympiad medals, and years at the top of Indian women's chess — is the foundation the academy's six-module pathway is built on: Foundation, Discovery, Development, Performance, Elite, Mastery. It's the same climb she made herself, now mapped out for every student who joins.
She founded VSA on a simple belief: that chess is best learned live, in small groups, from a coach who has actually competed at the level students are working toward — not from a pre-recorded video or a generic app.
Strength before age
We place students by playing strength, not by age — creating a learning environment that challenges each player at the level where they can grow.
Know the player first
A personalised evaluation gives us a clearer understanding of the student’s strengths, goals and development needs before the learning pathway begins.
Small groups. Deep attention.
Five to seven students per class creates room for live instruction, meaningful interaction and individual attention.
The academy, wherever you are
Entirely online and globally accessible, every VSA class is taught live — connecting students and coaches across borders.
Experience beyond the board
Our coaches bring competitive experience and practical judgement into every lesson, helping students understand not only how to play, but how to improve.
Built around active learning
Interactive boards, live analysis, onlinepractice and structured feedback turn every session into an active part of the student’s development.
THE VSA PATHWAY
Every level has a purpose. Strong players are not built by rushing ahead. They are built by mastering what comes before. Our structured pathway gives each student the time, challenge and guidance to develop with intention — moving forward when they are ready for what comes next.
EXPLORE THE VSA PATHWAY →