SPICE & Chess

The SPICE Chess Summer Camp is a fun way to introduce chess to newcomers of the game, as well as deepen the understanding of the game for intermediate or advanced players. SPICE (Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence) at Webster University is the No. 1 ranked collegiate chess program in the United States. The SPICE team won eight of the past 10 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championships and seven consecutive College Chess Final Four Championships from 2011–2017.

All instructors are members of the SPICE team (including GMs) and will teach based on Susan Polgar’s world-class curriculum. The cost of attending full-day SPICE Chess camp is $449; students may register before 5/10/2022 for a discounted fee of $359. The cost of attending morning-only SPICE Chess camp is $249; students may register before 5/10/2022 for a discounted fee of $199. Buy one "all-day" week and get the second week at 30% off. Snacks and water will be provided.

SPICE Chess Summer Camps

Camp 1 Dates: June 20-24, 2022

Camp 2 Dates: Aug. 8-12, 2022

Times: All day: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Morning only: 9 a.m. – Noon

Where: Webster University, SPICE Office, Luhr Building, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119

Ages: 5 to 15

 

Register for Camp

 

Before May 10 (includes free camp T-shirt)   All Day: $359             Morning only: $199

After May 10 (includes free camp T-shirt)      All Day: $449             Morning only: $249

Rates are per week.

Buy Camp 1, get Camp 2 for 30% off.

Food and snacks: Snacks and water will be provided. Students should bring their own sack lunch or arrange for food delivery. Lunch break is scheduled from  Noon to 12:30 p.m.

Coach Liem Le is considered the youngest collegiate grandmaster head coach in the U.S.

A Chesterfield resident, Le is originally from Vietnam, where he was honored by Forbes Vietnam as 30 under 30 (2015). Le became a Chess Grandmaster at 15 years old and has been the No. 1 ranked chess player in Vietnam and Southeast Asia since 2009. He is currently the No. 30 ranked chess player worldwide.

Le previously served as captain of the top-ranked Webster chess team (2015 to 2017), coached by retired Susan Polgar who founded the SPICE Institute.

 

Chess Accomplishments:

• Chess Grandmaster at 15 years old
• #1 ranked chess player in Vietnam and Southeast Asia since 2009
• #30 ranked chess player worldwide
• Winner of World Blitz Championship 2013
• Winner of World Youth Championship Under 14 2005
• Winner of Asian Continential Championship 2019
• Winner of World Open 2019
• Winner of Saint Louis Summer Classic 2019
• Winner of ACP Tour 2019
• Winner of Bay Area International Open 2019
• Winner of 2 SPICE Cups (2011, 2015)
• Winner of 4 HD Bank Open Tournaments (2013, 2015, 2017)
• Winner of 2 Aeroflot Opens (2010, 2011)
• Winner of 2 Zone 3.3 FIDE World Chess Championships (2007, 2015)
• Winner of Kolkata Open 2009
• Winner of Lishui Open 2009
• Winner of 2 Dragon Capital Open Tournaments (2008, 2009)
• Team Gold Medal of Olympiad 2008 Group B
• Frequent participant in various top level competitions including many World Cups, Olympiads
• Captain of Webster University Chess Team from 2015 to 2017. Won four consecutive Pan Ams Championships and Final Four Championships with Webster from 2013-2017
• Coached more than 100 students, including many Grandmasters

Notable Recognition: 

• Awarded three Labor Orders by the President of Vietnam (2006, 2011, 2013)
• Awarded the title Blitz Player of the Year by Asian Chess Federation (2013)
• Forbes Vietnam 30 Under 30 (2015)

 

Discover chess using Susan Polgar’s comprehensive free training guide.