Our New Website Is Live | Built for the Community That Built Us!
If you’ve been part of our community for a while, you know how much change the past year has brought to our academy. What started as Fabiano Scherner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Yakima has now become Chess Lab BJJ Yakima — a new name, a new partnership, and a new energy fueling everything we do.
And now, we finally have a new website that reflects all of that growth.
This isn’t just a visual update. It’s the digital version of our story — a place that shows where we came from, who we are, and where we’re headed next.
Why We Knew It Was Time for a Change
Our previous website got us through a period of transition — but it was built during a time when we were just trying to stay afloat and keep the community connected. At that time, we were in between identities: URJ Training Center was evolving, the jiu-jitsu program was rebuilding, and Professor James O’Neal’s team was finding its new home.
That old site served its purpose, but it didn’t capture what the academy had become.
It was bold and bright red, but also a little chaotic. The color palette didn’t match our branding. Content was minimal, photos were limited, and navigation could be confusing — especially with two separate calendars on the schedule page. It looked like what it was: a gym in transition.
We wanted something that could finally keep up with the level of professionalism, culture, and authenticity we’ve built inside the academy.
This new site is part of that evolution — a way to align the outside view of Chess Lab BJJ Yakima with what people actually experience when they walk through the doors.
The Rebrand: From Survival to Structure
When Professor James O’Neal and Jen Bailey came together in 2025, they weren’t just merging gyms — they were combining stories.
For years, James and a small crew of dedicated students kept Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu alive in the Yakima Valley. They trained wherever they could — in garages, school gyms, and even living rooms — long before there was a permanent home or a polished brand.
Meanwhile, Jen, co-founder of URJ Training Center, had built a strong fitness community and a top-notch facility, but she needed a black belt to lead the BJJ program after her partner moved away. When she reached out to James, everything clicked.
That phone call changed everything.
Together, they built something bigger than either could alone: a space that honored the tradition of Fabiano “Pega Leve” Scherner’s world-class lineage while embracing Yakima’s local grit, work ethic, and family atmosphere.
The name Chess Lab BJJ Yakima makes sense — representing the strategy, patience, and problem-solving that defines jiu-jitsu, paired with the structured professionalism of the Chess Lab affiliation.
The new website had to tell that story.
What’s New (and Why It Matters)
We approached this redesign with the same mindset we bring to the mats: intention, discipline, and a focus on continuous improvement.
Here’s what’s changed — and why each piece matters:
1. Cleaner, Smarter Design
The old bright-red design had energy, but it was visually overwhelming and didn’t align with our current branding. The new site introduces a modern, grounded color palette — darker tones, subtle accents, and photography that actually highlights our people, our academy, and our lineage.
The layout is cleaner, easier to navigate, and looks great on both desktop and mobile. Whether you’re checking the schedule, reading about our history, or trying to contact us, everything now flows naturally.
2. Real Photos, Real People
Before, there were just a handful of images. Now, the site showcases authentic shots from our academy — students training, instructors teaching, families connecting.
We wanted visitors to feel what it’s like to step onto the mats: the camaraderie, the focus, and the sense of belonging that comes from training together.
This isn’t stock photography. It’s us — the real team that makes up Chess Lab BJJ Yakima.
3. Cleaner Schedule page
The new schedule page is clean, simple, and responsive. It clearly shows class times by program, making it easy for members (and potential students) to see what fits their routine.
Clarity matters. When people want to train, they shouldn’t have to dig through multiple tabs to figure out when to show up.
4. Easier Ways to Connect
We’ve added a dedicated contact form that sends messages directly to our team, so inquiries don’t get lost in the shuffle. Whether someone wants to book a trial class, ask about memberships, or schedule a drop-in, it’s now straightforward and fast.
We also added clear call-to-actions (CTAs) on every page — directing people to our location, class sign-ups, and membership options. No more hunting for links or scrolling endlessly.
5. A Home for News, Events, and Stories
One of the biggest upgrades is our new News section — a place where we’ll share everything from upcoming events and seminars to member spotlights and training insights.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is full of stories — and our community deserves a place to celebrate them. Whether it’s a student earning a new stripe, a competition recap, or a behind-the-scenes look at how the academy is evolving, the News page will be where we keep our community informed and inspired.
Beyond the Design: What This Represents
For us, this website isn’t just a marketing tool. It’s a milestone.
It marks the end of a long chapter of transition — and the beginning of a new era where Chess Lab BJJ Yakima can focus on growth, connection, and quality.
Inside the gym, we’ve seen that shift happening already. More students are joining. Families are training together. Our team is competing more, improving faster, and showing up with a shared sense of purpose.
We wanted our online presence to reflect that same momentum — something that speaks to who we are now: a world-class jiu-jitsu academy with deep local roots.
This is who we are. This is where we came from. And this is where we’re going.
Your Feedback Matters
One of the best things about Chess Lab BJJ Yakima is our community. The academy was literally built by people showing up, rolling together, and helping one another grow. That same mindset applies to this website.
If you see something that could be improved — a link that’s broken, a section that’s confusing, or even a suggestion for new content — we want to hear it.
This is your academy. Your feedback shapes how we grow.
You can message us directly through the contact form, or talk to us in person at the gym.
Gratitude and Next Steps
Before wrapping this up, we just want to say thank you — to everyone who’s trained with us, supported us, and stayed patient through all the changes.
Rebuilding a website might seem small compared to rebuilding a team, but it’s symbolic of how far we’ve come. From training on garage mats and makeshift gym floors to running a fully recognized academy under the Chess Lab and Fabiano Scherner banner — this new digital space feels like the reflection of everything we’ve worked for.
If you haven’t seen it yet, go take a look. Explore the pages. Read our story. Check the schedule. And if you’re new to Chess Lab BJJ Yakima, we’d love for this site to be your first step into something great.
Welcome to the new Chess Lab BJJ Yakima.
Professional. Authentic. Built from the ground up.
