Free Chess Lessons for young minds with instructor Venkata Pullabhotla
Every Sunday | 11 am to 12:30 pm at India House
Age Group: 4 to 18 years
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.
Important Guidelines for Parents & Students
- Parents/guardians are kindly requested to remain within the India House premises during the class.
- Please note that this program is designed as a structured learning activity and not a daycare drop-off service. Active parental involvement and supervision are essential. Thanks.
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
Class Structure
Currently, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels are held in the same room. The instructor rotates between groups at designated stations. During this time:
- Students are expected to practice with peers when not receiving direct instruction
- We request parents’ support in helping children stay engaged and maintain a quiet, focused environment—especially for our younger participants