ACA

Contact Details

With three kids who play chess, I have gone to many chess schools. This is the only one with a planned curriculum, and play levels considered. Mr. Hanley is strict but loved by his students. He keeps them fully engaged, and his instruction is clear and concise. He is an excellent teacher who's first priority is the students. I'd recommend any parent take their kids to Hanley's Chess Academy if they want their child to be a serious chess player.

Halstrom Academy teachers have inspired my daughter to do better in school. Parents are well informed of the progress of their children on the daily basis. The wonderful communication with all the teachers at Halstrom Academy makes a big difference!

Parents, this place is actually fantastic, and Joe Hanley is phenomenal at teaching. He holds the official title Master, a title given to those with extreme skill in chess. He has displayed his skill in defeating 2600, 2500 rated players and other Grandmasters. He can definitely teach his skill to your children, and he is very friendly while doing so, observed from my years seing him teach the children.

Love seeing my nephew perform! What talented actors and actresses!

My son has been asking about chess classes for some time and I am so glad that we found Coach Joe! My son has been working with him for 3 1/2 months and loves it and was thrilled that we were able to make a few days of summer camp work with our schedule His weekend classes are drop in and you can either buy a punch card or pay as you go which works out perfectly for me as a single mom because we do not need to commit to something every week. The kids work on defense strategies, tactics and some other things that I don’t quite understand 😊 He employs HS kids to help, which IMO is great because kids learn best, good or bad, from other kids, but is always on site overseeing what is being done. He is training the students to be the teachers. Chess camp is an extension of the weekend classes, but in a 4 hour block. Most kids are dropped off, but I have seen some parents sitting and reading. Depending on the number of kids, there is either just him or he has what he calls a HS intern. My son has run the gamut of emotions playing chess. He has been on top of the world when he won his first trophy in his first tournament to feeling completely discouraged because he didn’t do well or was beaten by a kid younger. Chess is a great equalizer. It doesn’t matter young or old, male or female, it is about skills and critical thinking. Thinking with your head rather than the hand moving the pieces as one coach told us. Other reviewers have said that the materials are run down. I disagree. I feel it is more the building and the room that is showing its age. The building that he has his academy in is on the older side and it shows. However, I pay for the instruction, practice and skills. The boards and pieces are tournament quality and the same ones that I see used at various tournaments that we have attended both run by Hanley Chess Academy and by the San Diego Chess Club. His prices are very reasonable for being in Irvine. We have friends that have recently started going to Hanley Chess Academy and love it and we have a few others that are considering joining us as well.

The lessons learned in APA still bring value to my life 20 years later.

Great shows, passionate kids.

Fantastic service.

HCA has been a lifechanging experience for my son. He has played w Joe Hanley and his team for 5 years now, starting from scratch. We couldn't be more happy with the quality of the teaching and the impact it has had on my son. He has developed a passion for the game and a competitive spirit because of chess.

It was fun

I called the Halstrom Academy Newport Beach campus and had a wonderful conversation with Cara Kim and June Tseng. They were warm, gracious, well informed and I look forward to my campus visit and learning more about Halstrom!

I spoke with Cara today at the campus and I'm thankful for her insightful information and friendly demeanor. I look forward to the campus visit. Thank you!