Blog

Spring Club Calendar 2026

🍀April 6 – June 21

Program Chess for kids – 3 levels lessons. The season-long program includes an 10-lesson curriculum designed for optimal learning & competition and access to Special reduced seasonal Club Membership rate a 12 weeks schedule

🍀April 7 – June 20

Club Membership The Club offered a community space where everybody, regardless of age or gender could come and play friendly game. The club also organizes seasonal Family & Rapid & Blitz & Rated Tournaments and Junior Championship Qualifications.

🍀April 6, Sunday

The Junior & Open tournaments are organized by the Lakeshore Chess Club in collaboration with the Quebec Chess Federation (FQE) and the Chess and Math Association (AEM). This tournament serves as a qualifying event for the 2026 Canadian Youth Chess Championship (CYCC) and the 2026 Quebec Chess Challenge

April 5, Sunday , 11am

🍀 April, Tuesday or Thursday

Chess is a game that can be enjoyed at any age, and it’s never too late to learn! The classes are offered monthly for participants aged 14 and older and will include two levels.

  • ⏰ Tuesday 10:30am – 11:30am / starting April7
  • ⏰ Thursday 7:30pm – 8:30pm
  • 📝 Registration Form

🍀 May Weekly Classes

Program Expert classes, chess group Lessons with GM Alexsander Delchev and FM Penka Apostolova Requirement : Intermediate Level

  • ⏰ Saturdays
  • 📝 Registration Form

🍀 May 30, Saturday

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Quality Time with Your Kid 📝 Registration Team competition

🍀 Week of August

Program “Chess Yoga for kids” will run during Spring Break as a half-day program, combining both chess and yoga activities.

Club Celebrates New Home at Jardins Dorval

Dorval, QC — January 20, 2026 — The Lakeshore Chess Club, one of the West Island’s longest‑standing community institutions and originally founded by local WWII veterans, has officially opened its new location at the Jardins Dorval shopping mall. The move marks an important moment in the club’s history as it expands its reach to more families across the region.

A welcoming, intergenerational hub, the Lakeshore Chess Club offers children and adults accessible chess lessons, open practice sessions, rated tournaments, and community events. Parents appreciate the club’s positive impact on youth: chess improves focus, problem‑solving, confidence, and academic performance — all within a safe, family‑friendly environment.

The club is led by Penka Apostolova, FIDE Master and former member of the Canadian Olympic Chess team who brings world‑class expertise to local families. Her leadership has been instrumental in making the club a trusted gathering place where kids feel encouraged, supported, and excited to learn.

“Our new space allows us to welcome even more families and continue the tradition of using chess as a tool for building confidence, connection, and lifelong learning,” says Apostolova.

Why This Matters for the Community

  • Supports youth development through enrichment outside school hours
  • Strengthens community ties in a central and accessible location
  • Preserves a piece of West Island heritage, reflecting decades of volunteer‑driven civic engagement
  • Provides safe, supervised activities for children ages 5 and up

Lakeshore Chess Club mission

A historic West Island institution, the club was founded by WWII veterans and has served generations of families. Today, it continues that mission by offering accessible lessons, youth programs, rated tournaments and community activities designed for all ages and skill levels.

For Further Information

 Penka Apostolova
Director, Lakeshore Chess Club
📧 penka@chessyoga.com
🌐 www.chessyoga.com

 

 

EXPERT CLASSES

  

Lakeshore Expert Lessons  

Join us at the Club or from your home for this unique opportunity to learn from one of the best recognized chess coaches GM Aleksander Delchev and FM Penka Apostolova

  • ⏰ Time Saturday 2 pm3 pm
  • Requirement : Intermediate Level
  • Expert classes monthly $ 140 with option Special Monthly Practice membership
  • Lesson $ 40 Non-Members $ 45 
  • 📝 Registration Form

Master classes include

  • Learn from Chess Golden inheritance  
  • Study Evergreen Grand Master games
  • Questions & Answers by Masters
  • Selected games homework link

About GM Aleksander Delchev

  • Pic FIDE rating 2669 ♟ 36 in the World Rating list
  • International chess coach  since 2008 
  • FIDE Senior Trainer since 2016
  • Writer Publications 8 best selling opening chess  books 
  • EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPION 
  • Member of Bulgarian Olympic team 10 times
  • National Champion for Men – 3 times
  • Titles from International Chess Tournamen

… So far I have published about 10 books on openings and for me it is not a problem to publish another 10 or even more. However, in the modern era I believe the lifespan of an opening book is incredibly short as new games are constantly being played and new ideas being found. I feel it would be much more useful to my readers if I uncover a new approach to opening preparation, which will be more long-lasting and will improve you as a chess player as well.

  • Delchev, Alexander; Semkov, Semko (2006). The Safest Sicilian – A Black Repertoire with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6. Chess Stars.
  • Delchev, Alexander; Agrest, Evgenij (2011). The Safest Grünfeld. Chess Stars. 
  • Delchev, Alexander (2012). The Modern Reti – An Anti-Slav Repertoire. Chess Stars. 
  • Delchev, Alexander; Semkov, Semko (2014). The Most Flexible Sicilian. Chess Stars.
  • Delchev, Alexander; Semkov, Semko (2015). Understanding the Queen’s Gambit Accepted. Chess Stars. 
  • Delchev, Alexander; Semkov, Semko (2016). Attacking the English/Reti. Chess Stars.
  • Delchev, Alexander (2018). Bc4 against the Open Games. Chess Stars. 
  • Delchev, Alexander (2019). The Safest Gr