Impact Coaching International™

What Impact Coaching International™ does

Impact Coaching International™ (Impact Coaching Network or ICN) is a New York City-based scholastic chess education organization founded in 2016 by Russell Makofsky. ICN operates a portfolio of nine interconnected products: school-based after-school chess clubs and competitive teams at 42+ partner schools across Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Elite Club House training facility at 308 West 46th Street for 1200+ USCF players, school break and seasonal training camps, multi-week summer chess camps at multiple sites, a Tournament Series (Weekly Elite Quads, Grand Prix events, Brooklyn Cup, Manhattan Cup, Spring Chess Festival), the ICN League and ICN Stats Platform for player rankings, and the ICN Zone elite development track. The company serves K-12 students ranging from complete beginners to national championship competitors, with all coaches Department of Education fingerprinted and background-checked.

ICN's underlying model is a human-coach-led training methodology featuring USCF-rated tournament play, group analysis, individual coaching, and themed lectures tailored to player skill levels. Coaching talent includes titled players such as GM Alex Lenderman, GM Andy Woodward, WGM Carissa Yip, and GM-Elect Josiah Stearman. The organization earns revenue through four primary streams: semester-based recurring after-school club subscriptions, one-time fees for summer and training camps ($139-$149 daily or $649-$699 weekly), tournament entry fees across multiple events, and premium training at the Elite Club House. Marketing is community-led and organic, leveraging school partnerships, social media (Instagram, YouTube), email newsletters, and earned media coverage on the US Chess Podcast, ABC7NY, and the Daily News.

ICN has achieved measurable competitive outcomes, including three consecutive K-5 Elementary National Championships, 200+ players at national championships with multiple team and individual titles, and record-breaking tournament participation (730 players at the Winter Cup 2026 and 934 players at a single November 2024 event). The organization is privately held and founder-owned, with no external venture capital or private equity backing, and operates exclusively within the New York City market.

Name

Impact Coaching International™

Legal name

Impact Coaching Network

Website

https://impactcoachingnetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Impact Coaching International™ is a New York City scholastic chess education organization founded in 2016 that operates after-school clubs, tournaments, training camps, and elite coaching at 42+ partner schools across Brooklyn and Manhattan, serving K-12 students from beginners to national championship competitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. After-School Chess Club Programs: Semester-based after-school chess club memberships at partner schools across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Revenue generated through school partnerships and per-student fees.
2. Summer Chess Training Camps: Week-long immersive summer chess camps with rated games, coaching, and activities. Weekly and daily rates available.
3. Training Camps: School break and seasonal training camps (February break, spring break) providing intensive chess preparation for state and national competitions.
4. Tournament Entry Fees: ICN hosts regular tournaments including Grand Prix events, team tournaments, Brooklyn Cup, Manhattan Cup, and Winter Cups. Revenue from tournament registration fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Impact Coaching International™ operates a portfolio of scholastic chess education services for K-12 students in NYC, including after-school chess clubs at 30+ partner schools (Brooklyn and Manhattan), summer and school-break training camps, a USCF-rated tournament series (Grand Prix events, Brooklyn Cup, Manhattan Cup, Winter Cups, Spring Festivals), and a dedicated Elite Club House for players rated 1200+ USCF. Programs range from beginner instruction through national championship preparation, with all coaches Department of Education fingerprinted and background checked.

Product overview

Impact Coaching International™ operates as a comprehensive chess education platform providing a portfolio of interconnected services. The core offerings include School Chess Programs (after-school clubs and teams at 40+ partner schools across Manhattan and Brooklyn), the Elite Club House (dedicated training facility for 1200+ USCF players), Tournament Series (Weekly Elite Quads, Grand Prix events, Brooklyn/Manhattan Cups), Training Camps (school break programs), and Summer Chess Camp & Play. Supporting these are the ICN League (competitive rankings and tracking), ICN Stats Platform (player statistics and Hall of Fame), and ICN Zone (elite development track). The company was founded in 2016 and serves K-12 students from complete beginners to national championship competitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ICN Elite Club House: Advanced training facility for players 1200+ USCF rating featuring Elite Training Camps
• ICN Summer Training Camps

Products and services

• School Chess Programs (After-School Clubs and Teams) Semester-based after-school chess clubs and competitive teams operating at 30+ partner schools across Manhattan and Brooklyn, serving K-12 students from complete beginners to tournament players rated 1500+ USCF. Includes in-school instruction, team practices, and preparation for city, state, and national championships, with all coaches DOE fingerprinted and background checked.
• ICN Elite Club House (Advanced Training) Dedicated training facility at 308 West 46th Street, New York, offering Elite Masters Prep sessions for players rated 1200+ USCF and advanced training programs for middle school students. Features individual coaching, group analysis, and USCF-rated match play.
• ICN Tournament Series Comprehensive tournament programming including Weekly Elite Quads, Grand Prix events, Brooklyn Cup, Manhattan Cup, Spring Chess Festival, Winter Cups, and Year-End Championship. Events span multiple locations and rating sections from U300 to 1500+, with single weekend events drawing 700+ players.
• ICN Training Camps (School Break) School break and seasonal chess training camps held at multiple Manhattan and Brooklyn locations including PS 230, PS 33, PS 281, and the Elite Club House. Camps feature USCF-rated match play, group analysis, individual coaching, and daily themed lectures for players from complete beginners to elite 1200+ USCF competitors.
• Summer Chess Camp & Play Multi-week summer chess immersion program offered at multiple sites including PS 230 Brooklyn, Trevor Day UES, PS 33 Chelsea, St Luke's Midtown, and the Elite Club House. Features two rated games per day equivalent to a ten-round tournament weekly, with art labs and park play included. Weekly and daily rates available plus multi-week bundle pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• K-5 Elementary National Champions - Three Years Running
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• The Gift of ChesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2024ICN founder Russ Makofsky co-founded The Gift of Chess, a global initiative to donate 1 million chess sets by 2030. ICN students and families participate in fundraising walks and awareness events. Over 51,000 chess sets donated across 25 countries. ICN serves as a key program partner for the charity's NYC activities.
• Marshall Chess ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric chess club in Manhattan hosting ICN's advanced summer training camps for players 1200+ USCF and above. Camps led by GM Alex Lenderman. Partnership provides premium training venue for elite players.
• Trevor Day SchoolmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUpper East Side private school hosting ICN summer camps and programs. Partnership provides venue and student access for ICN programming.
• BASIS Independent BrooklynmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate school partner hosting ICN chess clubs and serving as summer camp location. School has produced multiple national championship winners through ICN programs.
• Brooklyn ProspectmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharter school network with multiple campuses (IES and SY) participating in ICN programs and tournaments.
• NEST+MmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManhattan gifted school serving as host venue for Manhattan Cup and tournament events. Multiple All Girls National Champions through ICN programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Dallas Chess Club: Texas-based chess club running youth tournaments, lessons, and scholastic programs. Comparable operating model but serves a different metro, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Chess-in-the-Schools: NYC-based nonprofit providing chess education in K-12 public schools through after-school programs, tournaments, and curriculum. Most direct geographic and product overlap with ICN.
• Berkeley Chess School: Bay Area nonprofit running K-12 in-school chess programs, tournaments, and summer camps with similar school-partnership-led GTM. Comparable mission and operating structure.
• Chess4Life: Pacific Northwest scholastic chess academy offering classes, camps, tournaments, and online curriculum for K-12 students. Closely mirrors ICN's tiered beginner-to-elite progression.
• Charlotte Chess Center & Scholastic Academy: Scholastic chess academy operating after-school clubs, camps, and tournaments with a national-championship-producing pipeline model analogous to ICN's. Direct comparable in business model.
• America Chess Academy: Scholastic chess academy offering after-school programs, camps, and tournaments for K-12 students in multiple U.S. regions. Direct comparable in service mix and target customer.

Others

• National Scholastic Chess Foundation: Nonprofit organizing national scholastic chess championships and initiatives. Not a direct operator but ecosystem participant whose events and rankings shape demand for ICN's programs.

Broad incumbents

• Marshall Chess Club: Historic Manhattan chess club currently partnered with ICN for elite summer camps. Operates as a broader club with memberships, tournaments, and adult programs — adjacent competition for NYC chess mindshare.
• Chess.com: Largest global online chess platform offering free/low-cost lessons, rated play, and ChessKid (youth-focused product). Indirect substitute competing for student time and family enrichment dollars.
• Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis: Largest U.S. scholastic chess organization and host of the nation's top-rated tournaments and elite training. Broader scope than ICN (professional events + youth programming), but directly competes for elite players and coaching talent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/thegiftofchess
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLotGCtIOpKVisgcNNQv4OA
• Facebookfacebook.com/impactcoachingnetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/impactcoachingnetwork
• Instagraminstagram.com/icnbrooklyn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Impact Coaching International™