Aadit Arya
Lulu Island Chess is one of if not the most organized and consistent chess organizations that I can name. All of their tournaments are a joy to play at and are executed very well. From the sections to the venues and even the arbiters, Lulu Island Chess never disappoints. They always choose the best playing halls, use the best equipment, and even have plenty of water bottles for all the players which is truly appreciated. They give very generous prize funds including subsections for U1500-U1800 which encourages more competition and incentive in the tournaments. They are always on top of things, making sure to start on time consistently and having enough arbiters to monitor and handle any issues. Another great thing about Lulu Island is their affordable entry fees. In a time of chess inflation, they have managed to keep tournament prices to a minimum which is amazing. Overall, Ryan Leong and the entire Lulu Island Chess crew have done a spectacular job at not only making a great chess organization but foster and growing the chess community in BC.
Ryan Golchin
Ever since joining Lulu Island Chess, my chess skill and rating has improved drastically. It is a privilege to play in their tournaments as they organize fantastic tournaments with terrific prize funds, a fun atmosphere, outstanding venues, and provide an amazing experience. Their tournaments are also very professional and organized. Their equipment is top-notch and they make their venues and playing halls as comfortable to play in as possible. They offer chess classes for very affordable prices. Since I started my classes, my rating has improved drastically and I’ve been extremely happy with my progress. In a span of 2 month I have had a rating increase of over 524 points; August-October.
Ryder Hsu
I absolutely love Lulu Island Chess. They have marvellous and exceptionally fun events, along with great arbiters/coaches. I have enjoyed talking with Ryan Leong, Lulu Island Chess’s main organizer, who has been helpful with tournament information, and registration. Each tournament is crafted with care, and have exceptional prizes for those with stellar performances. I always look forward for each and every Lulu island Chess event, that are professional and organized. Aside from being professional and organized, the coaches/directors of Lulu Island Chess give good care to the players, providing snacks, water, and washroom cleaning if needed. I will always support Lulu Island Chess, and can’t wait to see how successful it is in the future. 11/10 100% would recommend.
IM Olivier Kenta Chiku-Ratté
I played in the BC day Open 2024 and the experience was amazing. The organization was flawless, DGT boards, rounds on time. Ryan is a caring person and organizer. He is passionate about chess and makes sure every detail in the tournament is very good. He makes sure the participants have a smooth tournament by being friendly to everyone and helping them if necessary. If you’re thinking about playing in one of the Lulu Island chess event you should, it’s a no brainer.
IM Raymond Kaufman
Lulu chess tournaments are a great way to improve and play challenging games. Tournaments are well run and fun. Ryan is a great organizer for players of all levels. Highly recommended Lulu for all your chess needs!
Suresh Annamalai Subramanian
Ryan is so passionate about Chess and doing a great job in organizing several tournaments. The tournament’s are well organized and provides wonderful opportunity for kids to have competitive environment to practise and improve their skills. I wish more Classical tournaments are conducted by Lulu Island Chess instead of Rapid tournaments.
Tyler Cruz
When I first found out that Ryan was organizing chess tournaments, I couldn’t help but feel a bit skeptical. "He's too young and inexperienced!" I convinced myself. But the 2023 New Years Open tempted me to try it out, as it offered NINE rounds of classical chess - unheard of in chess tournaments across Canada apart from the Canadian Open. My skepticism immediately gave way to being thoroughly impressed as I arrived to the venue. Ryan had set up a proper chess tournament which easily rivaled some of my favourite ones in BC. There were plentiful DGT boards and DGT-3000 clocks (hooked up and streamed), pairings and results were updated smoothly and were available online, plenty of assistants helped make the tournament run smoothly as well. Ryan even dressed up in a suit and would "meet and greet" everyone, and he made sure to welcome me to the tournament and thank me for making the trip from the island. I plan on attending the next New Years Open as it is now one of my favourite events of the year!
Shaun
I have been to a number of events put on by Ryan and Lulu Island Chess now and they have all been enjoyable, well run affairs. The tournaments I have competed in have been well attended and professionally administered. Additionally, during the Summer, I regularly turned up for the Chess in the Park weekly meetup and this is a great way to get some casual and fun chess games in and meet new people. Whatever the event Ryan is always welcoming to players of all ages and abilities and it is clear to see he has a real passion for growing the chess scene in the Lower Mainland.
Peter Cheng
Ryan is an amazing organizer and tournament director. I’ve participated in several Lulu Island Chess tournaments and it has always been a smooth and wonderful experience. I can say with confidence that Lulu Island Chess hosts some of the best venues in the lower mainland. They also have a young team of coaches/instructors who can better relate to kids and teenagers seeking to improve their game. The Summertime chess in the park events are also a great way to touch some grass, get some fun blitz games in, and to socialize with friends and family. I hope that Ryan and his team will continue to do the amazing work they’ve done thus far for many more years to come!
Charles W.
Lulu Island Chess has played a major role in growing the chess community in Richmond. Ryan, the founder, is an excellent tournament organizer and leader. He adeptly uses social media to promote the chess culture, sharing photos and videos of the activities. This generates buzz and attracts more people to join in and play. For the 2024 BC Day Open, he brought in a notable Canadian Grandmaster, adding to the excitement of the tournament. Besides traditional offerings such as lessons and competitions, Lulu Island Chess also organizes chess activities in public spaces. By promoting outdoor play and community engagement, it brings a dynamic and social dimension to the chess scene in the area. Looking forward to more fantastic chess events in the future on Lulu Island!
Kate / Nathan
Ryan is an excellent role model for young chess players. He is enthusiastic, organized, and adaptable. He demonstrates that chess can be a lifelong hobby, a career choice, or simply a fun way to connect with friends. Nathan began private lessons with Ryan at a time when chess had started to feel like a “chore” and competitions were mainly about improving his rating or correcting mistakes from games. Ryan listens to parents' concerns, prepares thoroughly for each class, and displays a positive attitude not only during lessons but also at the tournaments he organizes. He is both a coach and a mentor, like a big brother for the students to look up to. When I asked Nathan about his classes, he said, "Ryan really wants to teach." To me, this means that Ryan is deeply passionate about what he does, and this is a wonderful quality for young chess players to emulate. I'm grateful that Ryan has helped Nathan relax and rediscover his love for chess—playing for himself, not for me or the coach.
Bahman Movaqar
My experience has been extremely positive ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When I approached them with questions about how to improve my game, they carefully listened and friendly matches were played to gauge my strengths and weaknesses. It was only then that I was referred to one of their coaches: a very knowledgeable and smart yet humble and patient person who's able to adjust his style to my pace. Overall, I'd highly recommended Lulu Island Chess for *anything* chess ✅
Jordan Szeto, Martina Szeto
Workshops and Private Lessons Ryan and Kate are excellent instructors! They’ve helped me a lot improving my skills and knowledge of chess. I highly recommend Lulu Island Chess!
Private Lessons Kate is an excellent instructor! I enjoy her lessons!
Sofia and Lana Vigurs
Well organized tournaments. Every round starts in time. Ryan is very friendly and encouraging with all participants, especially children. Find the time to talk to everyone and hear them out.
Vincent Cui and Sky Cui
Ryan is an excellent chess coach (private lesson and group lesson); he is very capable of seeing student's weaknesses and creates personalized study materials to improve student's chess skills.
Jorge Nunez Asencio
Lulu Island Chess Club consistently sets the bar for exceptional tournament organization. Their attention to detail, clear communication, and efficient management create a seamless and enjoyable chess experience. Participating in their tournaments is a testament to their commitment to the chess community.
Channing Chen (BCJCA President)
I’ve participated in the Lulu Island Rapid, Summer Open, and New Year Open, and throughout these tournaments, I’ve had a phenomenal competitive chess experience, enhancing my chess knowledge along the journey. Their tournaments ensured me a flawless experience, and were pivotal stepping stones to my chess success. In addition, Lulu Island’s sponsorship has helped the BC Junior Chess Association immensely, and I could not have asked for a better, more supportive experience working together with Lulu Island Chess.
Luke Pulfer
I went to one of Lulu Island tournaments and it was great! Everything went smooth, especially considering it was a 9 round classical. I haven't been to any of the classes, workshops, meetups, however I'm well acquainted with Ryan and his team, and they're fantastic.
Ally and Evan
My son had private lessons with Leo and really enjoyed it. He tells me that Leo is really nice and taught him a lot. Leo is very well prepared for every lesson and each lesson targets the individual’s specific needs to help them improve. Following each lesson, Leo would send out a review file for the individual to study. Leo is a patient and calm chess master. We would recommend Leo to anyone who is looking for a chess coach.
Samuel Lu
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for our incredible chess coach Ryan Leong. His engaging and interactive teaching style has truly made chess an enjoyable and enriching experience for my son. He has benefited immensely from the individualized attention Ryan provides during the class. Thanks to your exceptional teaching!
Alex Zou
As for experience, I felt organization was great, specificity was great, positive experience overall.
Roman J, National Master
Lulu Island Chess is providing a great chess environment that is welcoming to everyone, while also providing a high level of organizing tournaments.
I was impressed by the lichess broadcast at their latest tournament. I would recommend Lulu Island Chess events to both chess students and players.
Andrew and Aiden Yin
Well organized tournaments. Every round starts in time. Ryan is very friendly and encouraging with all participants, especially children. My boys like him very much. He always finds the time to talk to the boys and hear them out.
Tyler Sanderson
Lulu Island Chess is exactly what the Greater Vancouver Area chess scene needs. It's a passionate organization, dedicated to improving and hosting fantastic events. I would highly recommend anyone get involved with Lulu Island Chess, whether it's playing in a tournament, attending a meetup, or taking a lesson.
Susana
Ryan excels in teaching chess by skillfully identifying each student's unique qualities, inspiring their potential, and employing diverse teaching methods tailored to individual learners. He fosters an environment that encourages children to think freely and nurtures their innate talents. As a teacher with substantial expertise in chess, Ryan possesses the competence necessary for effective international chess instruction. These qualities are why my son enjoys Ryan's lessons.
Micah
Lulu island chess is the best company, their coaching is especially helpful. 10/10 I would recommend to friend.
Yidong Chen
Tournaments are well organized. The ambiance of the venue is fabulous. The level of the tournaments are high because of the participation of multiple NMs, CM and IM. I wish to participate again if I have free time. Free water bottles are provided for the players. Nice chess set on sale.
Michael C.
I participated in my first ever chess tournament in May 2024 with Lulu Island. I was very pleased with the organization of the tournament and the competition. As someone who works in the Athletic world and Events and Facilitating, I can see the behind the scenes work that is put in, ensuring a smoothly run tournament where the player experience is at the highest priority. Congratulations.
Kana Guo
We are deeply grateful for Ryan's dedication and patience during the time he worked with my son. Ryan's thoughtful guidance and support were instrumental in helping my son maintain his enthusiasm and interest in chess, especially during the early stages of learning. His responsibility and commitment to fostering a positive learning environment made all the difference. Thank you, Ryan, for the positive impact you've had on our son’s chess journey."
Brian Yang
Very active in the community, always setting up events and getting people engaged in chess. Organizes high quality tournaments of all time controls that welcome players of any level.
Ashton Taylor
Chess in the park was fun and they host great events year round.
Veronica Guo
Ryan is super supportive and always comes prepared. He made the tournament experience more efficient, lots of fun. So grateful for his help and time.
NM Zachary Liu
Ryan is a really good tournament organizer since all of his classical tournaments are really exciting to play and with a lot of strong players and the places for the tournaments is great too.
Lucas and Evelyn Lou
The experience with Lulu Island Chess was very good. Thank you for helping the kids in chess and their rating.
Cindy Liu and Lucas Yao
The tournaments hosted by Lulu Island Chess are always incredibly well organized, making for a smooth and enjoyable experience for both players and spectators. The convenient location adds to the overall ease of attending, and you can tell the host genuinely cares about everyone there. Ryan greets each participant with a warm welcome and takes the time to make sure everyone feels comfortable. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this is the perfect environment to learn, compete, and grow in chess. I’m always impressed with the level of professionalism and personal touch!