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Panda Chess Academy

Summer 2026 Class Schedule

Weekly Online & Saturday In-Person Chess Programs

Professional Chess Instruction in Houston Since 2003 | Westpark Location Since 2008

Taught and Organized by National Master Jeffrey Ashton, Panda Chess Academy provides high-level scholastic chess training. Our Summer 2026 program is built to keep students sharp and competitive through a proven system of live lectures, puzzle-solving challenges, and professional rated play.

Early Enrollment Incentives (Valid through May 10)

  • Instant Access: Start attending online classes immediately upon registration at no extra cost.
  • Price Protection: Lock in current rates now before the summer semester increase.

Important Dates & Closures

  • Summer Online Program: May 4 – August 16
  • Saturday In-Person Program: May 30 – August 8
  • Closures: In-person closed on Saturday, July 4. Live online classes will pause for only 5 days this summer: May 17, June 29, June 30, July 1, and July 2 (the June/July dates are replaced by lichess.org tournaments).

THE SUMMER SUPER COMBO

Complete access for the serious chess student.

Price: $395 per student

  • ✓ Unlimited Summer Online Classes (May 4 – August 16)
  • ✓ Choice of Saturday In-Person Class (11:00 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. | May 30 – August 8)
  • ✓ All Summer Saturday USCF Rated Tournaments (2:00 p.m. | May 30 – August 8)

A $575 value—this package saves you $180 and provides a complete training environment for the summer.

Summer Online Program

Flexible classes for traveling families. Prices are Per Household.
Conducted via Zoom, lichess.org, and gimkit.com.

Weekly Schedule

  • Monday: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Intermediate–Advanced)
  • Tuesday: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Advanced)
  • Wednesday: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Intermediate–Advanced)
  • Thursday: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Advanced)
  • Sunday: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Intermediate)
  • Sunday: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. (Advanced)

(Note: Live online classes will only pause for 5 days this summer: May 17, June 29, June 30, July 1, and July 2. The June/July dates will feature replacement lichess.org tournaments).

Online Pricing (Per Household)

  • Unlimited: $295
  • 3 Days Per Week: $275
  • 2 Days Per Week: $245
  • 1 Day Per Week: $195

Early Enrollment: Current pricing expires May 10.

Saturday In-Person Program

Location: 9900 Westpark #252, Houston, TX 77063

Dates: May 30, June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, Aug 1, 8.

(No classes or tournaments on Saturday, July 4)

Saturday Schedule

  • Beginner Classes (Ages 4–7):
    9:25 – 9:55 a.m. OR 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
  • Intermediate Group Class:
    11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Intermediate–Advanced Group Class:
    12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
  • USCF 3-Round Rated Tournaments:
    Begins at 2:00 p.m. (Concludes ~4:00 p.m.)

Saturday Pricing

  • Class + Tournament Combo (10 weeks): $280
  • Intermediate or Advanced Class Only (10 weeks): $180
  • Beginner Classes (10 weeks): $140
  • Single Session Drop-in:
    $30 (Combo) | $20 (Int/Adv Class or Tournament) | $15 (Beginner Class)

Note: Missed Saturday credits may be used for weekday online class makeups.

Policies & Membership

  • Coaching Background: All classes are taught by NM Jeffrey Ashton. Since 2003, he has trained Houston players from age 4 through 80, developing numerous National Champions, USCF National Masters, and World Youth Championship contenders.
  • USCF Membership: A current US Chess Federation (USCF) membership is required to participate in the Saturday 2:00 p.m. rated tournaments.
  • Academy Values: We prioritize Safety, Sportsmanship, and Focus in every class and competition.
  • Mid-Semester Registration: Prorated pricing is available for families joining mid-summer. Email jeffreyashton@gmail.com for info.

Registration & Payment

(Important: Please complete your payment before filling out the registration form.)

  1. Payment: Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo to jeffreyashton@gmail.com (Please double-check spelling).
  2. Credit Card: Secure payments at www.chesspanda.com.
  3. Register: After payment, complete the enrollment form at www.chesspanda.com/form.

Contact & Location