Last updated: 2024-03-24
NOTES:
- Our club caters for students between 6 to 18 years of age
- The online version of our club at Lichess is located HERE We are meeting there every Thursday night
We also have an online presence at chess.com located HERE
Contact me to find out how you can join us - Use the left hand side menu for accessing more pages with information
- Contact us as follows:
- Online/ In person: see our "Event Calendar" on the website for dates, time and address (if applicable)
- Electronically: use "Contact us" here on the website
- By mail: 1805 View Street, Port Moody, BC V3H 3Y3
INTRO
From a humble beginning in September 1994 (see Milestones below) our club activity has grown in quality and reputation. Our students participate successfully at local, provincial, national and international competitions year after year. They represent with pride our club, province and Canada wherever they go.
The activity is structured based on a chess curriculum organized by levels as shown below. The suggested ratings are Chess Federation of Canada (CFC) regular ones. Images are of the famous Lewis chessmen
| LEVEL | CFC Rating Range | SCHEDULE |
|---|---|---|
 Level 1 - Pawn |
Suggested rating |
See our APP |
 Level 2 - Knight |
Suggested rating 400 to 800 |
PAST |
 Level 3 - Bishop |
Suggested rating 800 to 1100 |
PAST |
 Level 4 - Rook |
Suggested rating 1100 to 1400 |
PAST Sep 2019 - Jun 2021 (COVID interruption) |
 Level 5 - Queen |
Suggested rating 1400 to 1700 |
Sep 2021 - Jun 2022 Online (see note 2) |
 Level 6 - King |
Suggested rating 1700 to 2000 |
As applicable |
Each level consists of a carefully planned combination of lessons, tests and official tournament games to be completed during a period of a school year.
Attending any level requires passing of the required written admission test beforehand. Testing (any level) can be taken at anytime during our classes and will determine with good accuracy what level you best fit into. Please contact us if you wish to setup your own testing!
| CLUB MILESTONES (Students personal accomplishments are listed under the Top Students menu) |
|
| Jan 2021 | Our club has an online presence at Lichess on a weekly basis. You can find us HERE |
| May 2017 | Our club has an online presence at chess.com. You can find us HERE |
| Mar 2015 | Sofia Stanescu-Bellu (Michigan) finishes 2nd @ Susan Polgar Foundation Nationwide Open, San Francisco. Qualifies for WYCC 2015 and wins $40K scholarship |
| Sep, 2014 | We celebrated 20 years of continuous activity with a new intake of level 3 students |
| Apr, 2013 | Our first chess app is released @ the iTunes store |
| Sep 2012 | Eugen is awarded the CM title by FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs/ World Chess Federation) |
| Sep 2010 | "Golden Knights" continues its activity as an independent club Our friends "Fraser Heights Chess Club"; see Links for their contact information |
| Dec 2009 - Jun 2010 | "Golden Knights" and "Burnaby Junior Chess club" agreed to a limited 6 months partnership |
| Sep 2008 | "Golden Knights" returned to the original setup of one location only (in Burnaby) with a level 4 (Rook) group Andrei Botez and family left for USA |
| Sep 2007 - Jun 2008 | "Golden Knights" extended their activity by opening a new location in Surrey in partnership with Ken Jensen (BC Junior Coordinator) |
| Sep 2007 | Andrei Botez and his "Silver Knights" became independent partners, moving to a separate location |
| Jan 2007 | Eugen is awarded the title of "FIDE Instructor" by FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs/ World Chess Federation); details HERE |
| Feb 2006 | Port Moody Secondary won the BC Secondary School Championship trophy with 19 points out of 20 games, 3.5 points clear of 2nd place. Team line up: Board 1 - Vlad Gaciu (WYCC 2005 France), grade 9 - score 5 out of 5, 1st place board 1 Board 2 - Stefan Trandafir (WYCC 2004 Greece), grade 9 - score 5 out of 5, 1st place board 2 Board 3 - Michael Wee (2006 BC U14 Overall Champion), grade 9 - score 5 out of 5, 1st place board 3 Board 4 - Mihai Demian, grade 12 - score 2 out of 3 Reserve - Ana Maria Luca (2006 BC Girls U16 Champion), grade 9 - score 2 out of 2 Coach - Valer Eugen Demian |
| Jan 2005 | The club left BC Romanian Community Centre and became independent. It changed its name to "Golden Knights" and became part of the "64 fun solutions" family business. Andrei Botez group was named "Silver Knights" |
| Sep 2002 | Andrei Botez joined the club as an instructor for beginners |
| Jun 7th, 2001 | Eugen founded a new club called "The Knights" running at BC Romanian Community Centre. The activity there stretched between 2001-2004 |
| 1995 - 2001 | Eugen taught chess privately; some of his best students were: Rotyslav Pylsdich, Sinziana Chis and Liviu Chis |
| Sep 1994 | Eugen established his first chess club at Harbour View Elementary School in Coquitlam, BC with the help of Peter Stainton (teacher) and a few great parents. That club was active during the school year 1994-1995 |