♟️ About International Academy of Chess

International Academy of Chess (IAC) is a Milwaukee-area chess school and tournament organizer based in Wisconsin, United States. The organization operates formally as International Academy of Chess LLC and maintains an active US Chess affiliation under A6039363. It provides private instruction, group lessons, online coaching, training camps, school chess programs, scholastic competitions, open tournaments, and US Chess-rated events.

The academy has operated in the Milwaukee chess community for more than a decade. Public records document IAC activity from at least 2010, while by the middle of that decade the organization was already delivering weekly instruction and running tournaments for scholastic chess clubs in southeastern Wisconsin. Since then, its program has expanded substantially. Moreover, IAC now works with schools and chess communities across the Milwaukee and Madison areas while also organizing larger statewide events.

Chris Wainscott is a current co-owner of International Academy of Chess and serves as one of its principal tournament organizers and public contacts. He is also a chess journalist and an experienced tournament director. Meanwhile, Ryan Murphy plays a central role in the academy’s instructional and tournament programs. In 2026, Murphy continues to serve as Chief Tournament Director at IAC events, while Wainscott handles tournament administration, registration, and participant communication.

🎓 Chess Instruction and Player Development

Chess education remains one of IAC’s core activities. The academy provides private, group, and online lessons, while each student’s instruction is adapted to individual playing strength and development needs. Private students begin with an evaluation lesson. Afterward, coaches prepare lessons around the player’s games, tactical weaknesses, strategic understanding, openings, and endgames rather than relying on one fixed curriculum for every student.

Group lessons allow players of similar strength to train together. In addition, IAC provides online instruction using video conferencing and interactive chess platforms such as Lichess and Chess.com. This format allows coaches and students to analyze positions directly while preserving games and exercises for later study. The academy also organizes day-long and week-long chess camps. Therefore, players can combine regular weekly instruction with more intensive training during school breaks.

🏫 School Chess and Scholastic Programs

School chess is a major part of the International Academy of Chess program. IAC works directly with schools and scholastic organizations to provide after-school instruction throughout the academic year. For example, Milwaukee Public Schools has contracted International Academy of Chess LLC to provide after-school chess instruction at Milwaukee French Immersion School. Other schools and community chess programs also use IAC instructors for structured lessons.

The academy’s partnerships extend beyond Milwaukee. Programs such as the Muskego Scholastic Chess Club have used IAC instructors for advanced chess training, while other private and public schools organize their own chess clubs around academy coaching. This educational work feeds naturally into tournament chess. Students can begin with lessons, enter non-rated scholastic events, obtain US Chess membership, and then progress into rated K-5, K-8, and K-12 competition.

🧒 Scholastic Tournament Organization

International Academy of Chess maintains one of the busiest scholastic tournament programs in Wisconsin. Its events regularly include both rated and non-rated sections, allowing beginners and experienced tournament players to participate in the same event. During early 2026, the academy’s calendar included the Shorewood Hills Sharks Chess Championship, Muskego Melee, Spartan Open, Milwaukee German Immersion School Open, Medical College of Wisconsin Scholastic Open, Vieau School Charge into Chess, and Grace Christian Academy events.

IAC also helps administer the Wisconsin State Scholastic Chess Championship. The March 2026 championship in Middleton included individual K-5, K-8, and K-12 Junior Varsity competitions together with separate Varsity I and Varsity II team championships. These events combine individual and team prizes. Moreover, IAC emphasizes practical tournament experience by encouraging notation, castling, proper clock use, and familiarity with US Chess tournament procedures.

The scale of the program can be substantial. Previous Wisconsin State Scholastic Championships organized with IAC involvement have attracted hundreds of young players, making scholastic chess one of the academy’s most important areas of activity.

🏆 Open and FIDE-Rated Tournament Chess

International Academy of Chess also organizes serious adult and open tournament chess. Its calendar extends beyond scholastic competition into US Chess-rated, FIDE-rated, rapid, and national championship events. In April 2026, IAC helped organize the Great Lakes Festival in Brookfield. The five-round classical tournament used a 90-minute plus 30-second increment format and received FIDE rating. The event targeted experienced tournament players while remaining open to lower-rated competitors who met the published conditions.

The academy also operates events connected with the long-running Hales Corners Challenge series. In addition, its 2026 calendar includes the 5th Annual Daniel Perelman Memorial – National Chess Day Celebration and several other Wisconsin competitions. At the end of 2026, IAC returns to Middleton for the North Central Open from December 25–27. The tournament offers three sections and a $3,500 prize fund, while the Premier section receives FIDE rating.

On December 26, the academy also helps administer the 2026 U.S. G/10 Championship. The national quick-chess championship offers Open and U1601 sections with an $800 guaranteed prize fund. Consequently, IAC’s tournament portfolio now spans beginner scholastic events, state scholastic championships, traditional weekend opens, FIDE-rated classical chess, and a US national quick championship.

💻 Online Chess and Digital Community

International Academy of Chess also developed a substantial online tournament program. Its official Lichess team has more than 3,000 members, making it a significant online chess community in addition to the academy’s physical programs. IAC has used Lichess for arena tournaments, team battles, online Swiss events, and US Chess online-rated scholastic competitions. During the pandemic period, this infrastructure allowed the organization to continue providing tournament chess when normal in-person events were unavailable.

The academy continues to maintain the online team today. Moreover, its website provides guidance for parents on creating accounts, enabling child-safety settings, joining the IAC team, and participating in digital tournaments. This online component complements rather than replaces over-the-board chess. Students can train and compete online while continuing to attend school programs, weekend tournaments, camps, and FIDE-rated events in Wisconsin.

🏆 2027 Wisconsin State Scholastic Championship

On March 20–21, 2027, International Academy of Chess organizes the individual divisions of the Wisconsin State Scholastic Chess Championship at Hyatt Regency Green Bay, working with tournament contacts Chris Wainscott and Alex Betaneli. The event offers separate K–12, K–8 and K–5 individual Swiss competitions for Wisconsin students as well as independently registered varsity team divisions.

The individual divisions feature six rounds at G/45 with a five-second delay, and the varsity team championship runs five rounds at G/60 with a five-second delay. The individual tournament is not submitted for US Chess rating, even though organizers may refer to published ratings for pairing. The championship recognizes individual and school team performance through trophies, including traveling awards for the K–8 and K–5 school team champions. Competition regulations and registration are available through the event-specific King Registration pages.

🏅 2027 Wisconsin State Scholastic Varsity Team Championships

In addition to the individual scholastic sections, International Academy of Chess organizes the independently registered K–12 Varsity I and Varsity II team championships at Hyatt Regency Green Bay on March 20–21, 2027. These are separate five-round team Swiss tournaments at G/60 with a five-second delay. Four students compete per team, with one optional alternate; schools may enter multiple squads, but club teams are not eligible.

Varsity I is open to school teams of any average rating, while Varsity II requires an average team rating below 1100. Only eligible Wisconsin students may participate. Each division awards trophies or plaques to its top eight teams as well as board winners, with a blitz playoff for a tied Varsity I championship. The competition is not US Chess rated, although tournament directors may use published ratings to determine team seeds. Chris Wainscott and Alex Betaneli are listed as organizer contacts. The competition has its own registration page and timetable, separate from the individual K–12, K–8 and K–5 sections.