Dubai's Premier Chess Academy

Building
Brilliant Minds Through Chess.

• We follow a proven development pathway.

• Foundations come before acceleration.

Empower your child with focus, confidence, and strategic thinking through elite chess training trusted by families across the UAE.

Expert Coaches
Personalized Growth
FIDE Tournaments
Our Philosophy

Our Approach to
Learning & Excellence

At Master Moves Chess Club, we believe chess is more than a game—it’s a way for children to learn how to think ahead, stay focused, and grow through both wins and losses.

We’re not just teaching openings or checkmates. We help children enjoy the game, stay curious, and develop real-life skills like patience, discipline, and decision-making without it ever feeling like a classroom lesson.

Students playing chess
students (1 in every 5) obtained their fide ratings in 2025
45
students (1 in every 5) obtained their fide ratings in 2025
Peak rating achieved by our students
2000+
Peak rating achieved by our students
Tournaments Conducted (2025)
15
Tournaments Conducted (2025)
Elite Faculty

The Architects of Mastery

Our coaches prioritize habits that ensure long term development, providing a solid technical foundation for them to excel both on and off the board.

We bridge the gap between high-level analytical training and child-friendly pedagogy. Through structured lesson delivery and personalized mentoring, we guide students from their first move to UAE-level podium finishes.

100%

Internationally Trained

Master Moves Coaching Team

"Empowering students through structured analytical training and professional competitive pathways."

Meet Our Masters

Certified Instructors • Expert Mentors

Mahri Geldiyeva (WGM)

30+ Years of Experience

Women Grandmaster (WGM)

Mahri Geldiyeva (WGM)

Specialises in long-term chess development across age groups.

Bay Avenue / JLT Branch
  • Woman Grandmaster (WGM)
  • 15-time National Champion
  • Olympiad Gold Medalist
Explore Full Bio
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20+ Years of Experience

Senior Coach & Mentor

Brylle Arellano

Specialises in long-term chess development across age groups.

JLT Branch
  • Specialist Strategy Mentor
  • FIDE Instructor Certified
  • Expert Tournament Prep
Explore Full Bio
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30+ Years of Experience

Coach

John Mendoza

Specialises in long-term chess development across age groups.

Bay Avenue Branch
  • FIDE Certified Instructor
  • Elite Youth Development
  • Master-Level Analyst
Explore Full Bio
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Reggie Santiago - slide 1
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Reggie Santiago - slide 3

20+ Years of Experience

Tournament Prep Specialist

Reggie Santiago

Specialises in long-term chess development across age groups.

Bay Avenue Branch
  • Logic & Tactics Specialist
  • Tournament Prep Expert
  • Advanced Opening Coach
Explore Full Bio
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15+ Years of Experience

Lead-Young Star Program

James Estrada

Specialized in early brain development and pattern recognitions, enabling them to build strong fundamentals to help them in the future.

Bay Avenue Branch
  • FIDE Rating Target Coach
  • Intl. Tournament Mentor
  • High-Performance Training
Explore Full Bio
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Brett Portuguese - slide 3

20+ Years of Experience

Lead-Young Star Program

Brett Portuguese

Specialized in early brain development and pattern recognitions, enabling them to build strong fundamentals to help them in the future.

JLT Branch
  • Early Mastery Specialist
  • Intermediate Logic Coach
  • Competitive Readiness
Explore Full Bio
Curriculum Excellence

Master The Art of
Grandmaster Strategy

Progression is ability-based, not age-based. Every student is individually evaluated before being assigned to the right program.

Beginner Program

Level 1

Beginner Program

This level establishes foundational habits that determine future progress.

"Every great player started here. We make sure they start right."

  • Rules & piece movement
  • Basic tactics & threats
  • Opening principles basics
  • Simple checkmate patterns

Small group sessions — maximum 6 students per batch

Attend 1, 2, or 3 times per week — your coach confirms your slot after assessment

Flexible scheduling, built around your child

Classes run across most days of the week in small group batches at both our centers.

Your child's first assessment is completely free — 60 minutes, 1-on-1 with one of our coaches.

Taught by Coach James Estrada (Bay Avenue) · Coach John Mendoza (Bay Avenue) · Coach Brett Portuguese (JLT)

Intermediate Program

Level 2 (A & B)

Intermediate Program

This stage prioritises thinking quality and decision-making discipline.

"We build the thinking habits that win tournaments."

  • Tactics & calculation
  • Positional play basics
  • Endgame technique core
  • Tournament prep fundamentals

Small group sessions — maximum 6 students per batch

Attend 1, 2, or 3 times per week — your coach confirms your slot after assessment

Flexible scheduling, built around your child

Classes run across most days of the week in small group batches at both our centers.

Your child's first assessment is completely free — 60 minutes, 1-on-1 with one of our coaches.

Taught by WGM Mahri Geldiyeva (Bay Ave & JLT) · Coach John Mendoza (Bay Avenue) · Coach Brylle Arellano (JLT)

Advanced Program

Elite & Pro

Advanced Program

❖ Invitation Only

At this level, precision, discipline, and consistency are non-negotiable.

"At this level, preparation is everything."

  • Grandmaster game analysis
  • Deep calculation mastery
  • Tournament performance training
  • Opening repertoire building

How students enter this program

Advanced and Elite groups are selective cohorts. Entry is based on demonstrated performance in Master Moves tournaments and ongoing assessments. Our coaches identify and personally invite students when they are ready.

All students begin with a complimentary 60-minute assessment. Advanced placement is determined by performance over time — not at the point of first contact.

If you believe your child is ready, mention it during their assessment and our coaches will evaluate accordingly.

Taught by WGM Mahri Geldiyeva (Bay Ave & JLT) · Coach Reggie Santiago (Bay Avenue)

Open 7 Days a Week

FIDE rating ranges shown are approximate and aspirational guides only.

The Master Moves Methodology

Where Potential
Meets Victory

Our students are trained to compete regularly, making them very well equipped to perform under pressure both on and off the board.

We train for top FIDE tournaments with repetition-based concept training and frequent tournament practice designed to build the muscle memory required to excel in professional chess games.

Professional Chess Club Tournament Environment
Success Stories in 2026

Our Champions!

SHAURYA MAHAJAN

SHAURYA MAHAJAN

Under 8

CHAMPION

HANEESH PRATHYAY PATNAIKUNI

HANEESH PRATHYAY PATNAIKUNI

Under 10

CHAMPION

MAYA NARULA

MAYA NARULA

Under 16 Rapid Fide Rated Tournament

2ND POSITION

MAADAV

MAADAV

Under 10

2ND PRIZE

Start Your
Journey.

Enroll in Master Moves

Master Moves Advantage

Why Parents Choose Us

Structured Learning

Small groups of up to 6 students, with flexible weekly schedules confirmed after a free initial assessment. Every child progresses at their own pace through our structured 4-stage pathway.

Beginner → Advanced

Experienced Coaching

Our elite coaching team includes titled professionals, delivering world-class chess expertise and mentorship.

Titled Coaches
Chess Knight

Tournament Ecosystem

A robust tournament framework designed to drive community engagement and foster competitive excellence.

Community-Driven

Premium Environment

Train in a calm, high-end atmosphere aligned with professional chess club standards, designed to simulate real tournaments.

Mall Standards
Exclusive Reel

Experience The
Tournament Glory

Master Moves FIDE Rated Junior Tournament
1:12
Championship

Master Moves FIDE Rated Junior Tournament

Championship 2025

Date

November 22, 2025

Stats

130+ Players

Master Moves FIDE Rated Open Tournament
2:11
Championship

Master Moves FIDE Rated Open Tournament

Masters Open Series

Date

November 23, 2025

Stats

100+ Matches

Master Moves Kiddies Tournament
2:20
Championship

Master Moves Kiddies Tournament

Friday Night Lights

Date

November 25, 2025

Stats

80+ Games

Voices of
Excellence

Experience the impact of world-class chess coaching through the stories of our global community.

Proud Parent

Proud Parent

Nirvan's Father

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Have Questions?

Find detailed answers about our levels, scheduling, tournament pathways, and coaching philosophy.

Everything parents ask us before the first session

“This is how long-term players are built.”

Ready to start their journey?