Furtado Chess Academy

Building Better Chess Players.
Developing Better Thinkers.

Elite Chess Coaching | Psychology-Based Learning | Tournament Excellence

Chess is more than a game. It teaches us to think before we act, evaluate possibilities, make decisions, manage pressure, learn from mistakes and adapt when things do not go according to plan.

At Furtado Chess Academy, we combine quality chess coaching with principles of psychology, coaching and learning to help students become stronger chess players while developing skills that extend beyond the board.

Whether you are making your first move or preparing for your next tournament, your journey starts here.

Book Your Free 20-Minute Consultation Learn More
Why Furtado Chess Academy?

We don't just teach moves. We develop thinking.

Our approach brings together chess expertise, psychology and structured learning design.

Chess

Strong fundamentals, tactical understanding, strategy and competitive preparation.

Psychology

Understanding attention, decision-making, confidence, resilience and performance.

Learning

Structured progression, meaningful practice, feedback and game-based learning.

Our goal is to help students:

  • Think critically and make better decisions
  • Improve concentration and attention
  • Develop patience and discipline
  • Build confidence and resilience
  • Learn from mistakes
  • Become more independent thinkers
  • Develop as chess players and as individuals

Because a better chess player starts with a better way of thinking.

Chess for Every Stage of the Journey

Find Your Level. Build Your Game.

Whether you are completely new to chess or preparing for competitive play, we provide a structured path for development.

Basics program 01

Basics

Every great journey begins with the first move.

Build your foundation from the ground up. Learn the board, pieces, rules, movement, basic tactics and the fundamentals of the game.

View Program
Beginner program 02

Beginner

Every grandmaster was once a beginner.

Move beyond the basics and begin understanding how chess works as a game. Develop opening principles, tactical awareness, middlegame ideas, basic endgames and checkmate patterns.

View Program
Intermediate program 03

Intermediate

Turn tactics into habits.

Develop deeper tactical and positional understanding while learning to analyse games and think more strategically.

View Program
Advanced program 04

Advanced

Precision for the tournament floor.

For rated and competitive players looking to sharpen calculation, positional understanding, preparation and competitive performance.

View Program
Meet Your Coaches

Two Coaches. Two Perspectives. One Approach.

WIM Ivana Maria Furtado

WIM Ivana Maria Furtado

Woman International Master | Two-Time World Youth Champion | International Chess Coach

  • Two-time World Youth Chess Champion
  • Woman International Master (WIM)
  • 30+ International Medals
  • International Chess Coach

Ivana brings international competitive experience and years of playing and coaching to the academy. Her approach focuses on helping students develop sound chess fundamentals, practical understanding and the ability to apply their learning in competitive situations.

Read Full Profile
Keegan Furtado

Keegan Furtado

Psychologist | Instructional Designer | Certified Life & Practitioner Coach | FIDE-Rated Chess Player

Keegan brings together psychology, learning design, coaching and chess to create a different kind of learning experience. His focus is not only on what students learn, but also on how they learn, think, make decisions and respond to challenges.

Read Full Profile
0+

Years Coaching Experience

0+

International Medals

0

World Youth Championships

0

Structured Programs

More Than Chess Lessons

Your Next Move Starts Here.

With over seven years of coaching experience, our aim is to create a structured and supportive environment where students can learn chess, think better, play with confidence and grow through the process.

Book a free 20-minute consultation to understand your current level, goals and the right learning path for you.

Book Your Consultation
About Us

Chess Is the Game. Thinking Is the Skill.

At Furtado Chess Academy, we believe that chess can teach much more than chess. Every position asks a question. Every move requires a decision. Every game presents a problem to solve. And every mistake provides an opportunity to learn.

Chess pieces

Our Story

Furtado Chess Academy brings together two complementary perspectives.

WIM Ivana Maria Furtado brings international competitive chess experience, having represented India at the highest levels of junior competition and becoming a two-time World Youth Chess Champion, alongside earning the Woman International Master title and 30+ international medals.

Keegan Furtado is a FIDE Rated player and brings a background in psychology, instructional design, coaching and chess, with a focus on understanding how people learn, think and develop.

Together, these perspectives shape the way we coach. Competitive chess tells us what it takes to play. Psychology helps us understand how people think. Learning design helps us understand how people improve. Furtado Chess Academy brings all three together.

Learn

Build strong fundamentals and develop an understanding of the principles behind the game.

Think

Learn to analyse positions, evaluate choices, anticipate consequences and make better decisions.

Grow

Develop confidence, resilience, patience, discipline and independence through the process of learning chess.

Our Approach

We believe good coaching goes beyond telling a student what move to make. Instead, we encourage students to ask:

  • What is happening on the board?
  • What are my options?
  • What is my opponent trying to do?
  • Why is this move better?
  • What can I learn from this position?

This approach helps students gradually move from following instructions to thinking independently.

Our Mission

To use chess as a powerful learning experience that develops stronger players and better thinkers.

We want students to leave our academy with more than improved chess skills. We want them to become more confident in facing problems, making decisions and learning from challenges.

Our Coaches

Two Coaches. Two Perspectives. One Approach.

WIM Ivana Maria Furtado

WIM Ivana Maria Furtado

Woman International Master | Two-Time World Youth Chess Champion | International Chess Coach

Ivana Maria Furtado's chess journey began at a young age and developed into an international competitive career.

  • Two-Time World Youth Chess Champion
  • Woman International Master (WIM)
  • 30+ International Medals
  • International Chess Coach

Her competitive experience gives students insight into what it takes to prepare, compete and perform at a high level.

Coaching Focus

  • Chess fundamentals
  • Tactical understanding
  • Strategic thinking
  • Positional understanding
  • Game analysis
  • Tournament preparation
  • Competitive confidence

Understand the position. Make the decision. Learn from the result.

Keegan Furtado

Keegan Furtado

Psychologist | Instructional Designer | Certified Life & Practitioner Coach | FIDE-Rated Chess Player

Keegan brings a unique combination of psychology, learning and chess to the academy. His professional experience in talent development and learning, combined with his background in psychology, coaching and chess, informs the academy's psychology-based learning approach.

Coaching Focus

  • Thinking and decision-making
  • Learning strategies
  • Concentration
  • Confidence
  • Resilience
  • Game reflection and analysis
  • Developing independent thinkers

Don't just learn the move. Learn the thinking behind the move.

Why This Combination Matters

Ivana understands the demands of competitive chess from the inside. Keegan brings expertise in how people learn, think and develop.

Together, they create an environment where students develop Chess Skills + Thinking Skills + Performance Skills.

Programs

Find Your Level. Build Your Game.

Our programs provide a structured progression from learning the fundamentals to developing competitive-level skills.

01

Basics

Every great journey begins with the first move.

  • The chessboard and pieces
  • Rules of the game
  • Piece movement
  • Basic tactics
  • Check, checkmate and stalemate
  • Fundamental chess concepts
  • Interactive chess activities

₹3,500 / month

₹3,000 / month | Quarterly Plan

Virtual group classes

02

Beginner

Every grandmaster was once a beginner.

  • Opening principles
  • Basic tactics and combinations
  • Middlegame ideas
  • Basic endgames
  • Checkmate patterns
  • Game understanding
  • Building confidence

₹3,500 / month

₹3,000 / month | Quarterly Plan

Virtual group classes

03

Intermediate

Turn tactics into habits.

  • Tactical combinations and motifs
  • Positional understanding
  • Middlegame strategies
  • Endgame techniques
  • Game analysis
  • Tournament preparation

₹3,500 / month

₹3,000 / month | Quarterly Plan

Virtual group classes

04

Advanced

Precision for the tournament floor.

  • Advanced opening preparation
  • Deep tactical calculation
  • Positional mastery
  • Endgame mastery
  • Detailed game analysis
  • Tournament strategy
  • Competitive mindset
  • Tournament preparation

₹4,000 / month

₹3,500 / month | Quarterly Plan

Virtual group classes

What's Included?

8 Classes Per Month

Structured live coaching.

Review Sessions

Analyse games, identify mistakes and recognise patterns.

Virtual Tournaments

Put your learning into practice and experience competition.

Syllabus

A structured learning path shared based on the student's level and program.

Events

Play. Compete. Experience. Grow.

Chess coaching prepares you for the board. Competition teaches you what happens when the board is in front of you and the clock is running.

Virtual Tournaments

Regular virtual competitions allow students to gain tournament experience in a familiar environment.

  • Time management
  • Pressure
  • Decision-making
  • Wins and losses
  • Competitive nerves
  • Game analysis
View Upcoming Events

Learn From Every Game

A tournament doesn't end when the game ends. The real learning often begins afterwards.

  • What did I do well?
  • Where did I struggle?
  • What decision could I have made differently?
  • What will I take into my next game?

A win gives you a result. A game gives you an opportunity to learn.

Upcoming Events

This section can feature upcoming academy tournaments, virtual competitions, special chess events, workshops, student events and chess learning sessions.

View Upcoming Events
Resources

The Game Doesn't Stop When Class Ends.

The best chess improvement happens when students become curious about the game. Our Resources section provides practical content to help students continue learning between classes.

Chess

  • Chess fundamentals
  • Tactical patterns
  • Opening principles
  • Middlegame strategy
  • Endgames

The Mind of the Chess Player

  • Decision-making
  • Concentration
  • Confidence
  • Resilience

For Parents

  • How children learn chess
  • How to support practice
  • Encouraging without creating pressure
  • Helping children handle losses
Contact Us

Ready to Make Your Next Move?

Whether you're discovering chess for the first time or preparing for your next tournament, we'd love to understand your goals and help you find the right path.

Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation

Let's talk about:

  • Your current level
  • Your chess experience
  • Your goals
  • Your learning needs
  • The right program for you

Request a Consultation