The instructor
Harrison's chess story
A patient, structured teacher building the kind of class he would have wanted as a kid.
Harrison Mantla first learned chess as a child playing with his father. What began as a family game slowly became something deeper: a way to think, focus, slow down, and learn how to make better decisions.
In high school, Harrison became more serious about chess. He studied fundamentals, played regularly, and competed in chess events in Edmonton, Calgary, and Banff. Through that experience, he learned that chess is not about being born "super smart." It is about focus, discipline, pattern recognition, patience, and finding a way through chaos.
Harrison has taught youth chess before, including a full summer class of 16 children. His teaching style is patient, structured, and beginner-friendly. He focuses on helping kids understand the board, build confidence, think before they move, and enjoy the process of learning.
Through Harrison's Chess Class, the goal is not just to help kids win games. The goal is to help them build strategic thinking, discipline, confidence, sportsmanship, and the ability to solve problems calmly.
Teaching philosophy
Chess is a training ground for focus.
Chess is not about memorizing a thousand openings. For young beginners, chess is a training ground for focus. Every move asks a child to pause, look, think, and choose. That habit matters far beyond the board.
Come meet Harrison
The free open house is the easiest way to see the teaching style in person and decide if it's the right fit.