Great Lakes Chess was created by Jim VanVorhis to help expand the world of chess into schools around the Toledo area. Now owned by Ryan Clayton, national master and Toledo’s highest rated coach, Great Lakes Chess continues to bring chess into the lives of students in the Toledo area.

Great Lakes Chess has long-standing classes in numerous schools along with students from dozens of schools in Northwest Ohio. Boasting many championships over the years, Great Lakes Chess is the premier chess instruction program in Northwest Ohio.