Free Chess Lessons for young minds with instructor Venkata Pullabhotla
Every Friday (5:00 pm to 6:15 pm CST) on Zoom
Zoom Link for Classes: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85357958161
Age Group: 4 to 18 years
Friday Online Chess lesson is divided into three separate sessions based on student skill levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Students are encouraged to attend the session that best matches their current level; however, they are also welcome to join any or all sections if they wish.
- Advanced Students: 5:00 pm – 5:25 pm
- Intermediate Students: 5:25 pm – 5:50 pm
- Beginner Students: 5:50 pm – 6:15 pm
Our instructor Venkata Pullabhotla is a Candidate Master ranked in the 99.9th percentile nationally and has consistently placed in the top 50 in the United States for his age group over the past eight years. He brings nearly a decade of teaching and leadership experience to his work with young chess players, having served as a volunteer instructor at Complete Chess (2018–2020), Head Coach (2020–2023), and a scholastic coach for Title I schools, including T.H. Rogers and Travis Elementary (2024–2026).
In addition to coaching, he is a junior pre-med student at Rice University and serves as Vice President of the Rice Undergraduate Chess Club, helping lead one of the most active collegiate chess communities in Texas. He is also actively involved in chess education and development at the national level, serving on several high-profile committees, including the US Chess Senior Committee, as Chair of the Research & Development Committee, and as a member of the Rural and Scholastic Committees.
Through his free chess lessons at India House, Venkata Pullabhotla is committed to making chess welcoming, engaging, and developmentally enriching for children—especially beginners—while fostering confidence, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for the game.
Student Expectations
To help all students benefit fully from the class, we encourage:
- Attentive listening during instruction
- Minimal talking (whispering only when necessary)
- Respect for fellow students and the learning environment