LEARN
Long-form guides
for Indian parents.
This library covers every stage of a chess parent’s decision in India: whether chess will help your child focus and do better at school, what classes cost, how to compare academies and apps, and how the tournament-and-rating pathway works. All 62 guides are written or reviewed by FIDE-rated coaches and organised into eight clusters so you can jump straight to your question.
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The complete guide
Online Chess Coaching for Kids in India
Live online chess coaching for kids ages 5–15 by FIDE-rated Indian coaches. Weekly parent reports, refund on unused sessions. Free discussion call first.
Just starting out
9 guidesRules, board setup, piece movement, openings, tactics and endgames — the sequence most kids aged 5–15 follow to go from first move to confident club play.
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Learn the gameChess piece movement poster (free A3 / A4)
Free A3 classroom wall poster: how the six chess pieces move, with values, castling, and pawn specials. A4 and PNG too. No signup.
4 min read Updated - Learn the game
How to Teach Chess to a 4 Year Old
A patient, play-first way to teach chess to a 4 year old at home: start with one piece, use stories, keep it short, and follow your child's lead.
4 min read Updated -
Learn the gameBasic Chess Endgames for Kids: The Essential Guide
A complete guide for parents and coaches: K+Q, K+R, K+P endgames, opposition, Lucena and Philidor with drills kids can follow.
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Learn the gameBest Chess Openings for Kids: A Level-by-Level Guide
Which chess openings should your child learn first? Italian Game, London System, Sicilian, and more, by skill level, with principles over memorisation.
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Learn the gameChess Board Setup and Notation for Kids
How to set up a chess board correctly and read algebraic notation — step-by-step, with memory tricks, common mistakes, and tournament recording rules.
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Learn the gameChess Practice Plan for Kids: Daily and Weekly Routines
A chess practice plan for beginner, intermediate, and advanced kids: daily time, puzzle-to-game ratios, and how to balance chess with school in India.
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Learn the gameChess Learning Path for Kids: Beginner to Tournament
A stage-by-stage chess learning path for kids, from first piece moves through openings, tactics, endgames, and tournament prep. By FIDE-rated coaches.
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Learn the gameChess Rules for Kids: The Complete Guide
Chess rules for kids step by step: board setup, piece moves, castling, checkmate, stalemate, and what to know before a first tournament.
4 min read Updated -
Learn the gameChess Tactics for Kids: Pin, Fork, Skewer, and More
Essential chess tactics for kids: forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, and X-rays, with coach methods, practice plans, and common mistakes.
4 min read Updated
Is chess right for my child?
7 guidesWhat research and coaching experience say about chess and focus, maths results, screen time and ADHD — plus the age most children are ready to start.
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Benefits & outcomesBest Age to Start Chess for Kids
Age-by-age guidance for starting chess in Indian families: readiness signs, practical milestones and when to start coaching versus trial exposure.
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Benefits & outcomesChess and Math Skills for Kids: The Real Connection
Does chess help with math? The five mathematical skills it builds, what the research actually shows, and honest coaching advice for Indian parents.
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Benefits & outcomesChess Benefits for Kids: What the Research Says
What research says about chess and kids — focus, math, ADHD, resilience, and school. Honest evidence guide for Indian parents, with coaching caveats.
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Benefits & outcomesChess for Kids with ADHD: An Honest Parent's Guide
Can chess help children with ADHD? An honest look at the executive-function link, practical session tweaks, and what parents can realistically expect.
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Benefits & outcomesChess for School Admissions in India
Does chess help with admissions in India? A practical coach guide on sports quotas, portfolio evidence, and realistic outcomes.
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Benefits & outcomesChess vs Screen Time: The Debate Parents Need to Understand
Is online chess just more screen time? The active vs passive distinction, practical daily limits, and when to use a physical board instead of an app.
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Benefits & outcomesDoes Chess Improve Focus in Kids?
What research says about chess and focus in kids: the evidence, the honest caveats, and practical observations from coaching hundreds of students.
4 min read Updated
Choosing a class
10 guidesHow to compare chess classes for your child: group vs private, online vs offline, what FIDE-rated coaching costs in India, and the questions to ask before you pay.
- Choosing a class
Chess Gurukul Fees (2026): Online Classes ₹2,500–₹10,500/Month, GST Included
Chess Gurukul online group fees, GST included (13 Aug 2026): Novice and Beginner ₹2,500, Advance Beginner ₹3,000, Intermediate ₹3,500, Intermediate Advance ₹4,000, GM Junior ₹6,500, GM Senior ₹10,500.
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Choosing a classUpstep Academy Fees (2026): What They Publish — and What They Don't
Upstep quotes kids-class fees after a call; /pricing/ is a 404. The only public price is GAP, an elite 12-month programme, not a weekly class. What to ask in writing.
4 min read Updated - Choosing a class
Chess Class Fees in India (2026): ₹300–₹700/Session, 5 Academies Compared
Dated August 2026 fees: Kingdom of Chess from ₹4,499/mo, CircleChess from ₹3,000/mo, ChessGaja ₹3,250/mo +GST, ChessWize ₹313/session — per-session math for parents.
4 min read Updated - Choosing a class
How Much Do Chess Lessons Cost? Global Prices for Kids (2026)
What chess lessons cost for kids in 2026: US $20–100/hr, UK £15–60, UAE AED 80–325, India ₹190–6,250/session — and what drives the price.
4 min read Updated -
Choosing a classBest Online Chess Classes for Kids in India: 2026 Ranked List
An honest 2026 ranking of online chess classes for kids in India — ChessWize, ChessGaja, CircleChess and Kingdom of Chess — on coaches, price and safety.
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Choosing a classChess Academy vs Private Tutor for Kids
Chess academy or private tutor for your child? A practical comparison of structure, cost, and flexibility, and which model works best at each stage.
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Choosing a classChoosing Chess Classes for Kids
A parent's complete guide to choosing the right chess classes for kids in India — online vs offline, coach verification, pricing, and what actually matters.
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Choosing a classHow to Find a FIDE-Rated Chess Coach for Kids
A parent guide to verifying FIDE credentials, choosing coaching level, and avoiding unverifiable claims.
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Choosing a classHow to Pick a Chess Coach for Your Child
A step-by-step guide for Indian parents — define goals, verify FIDE credentials, evaluate trial sessions, and know when to switch coaches.
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Choosing a classOnline vs Offline Chess Classes for Kids
A practical comparison of online and offline chess classes for kids in India — pros, cons, real costs, logistics, and the hybrid approach that works best.
4 min read Updated
Comparing academies & apps
13 guidesSide-by-side reviews of ChessWize against academies, apps and platforms parents commonly shortlist — fees, coach quality and teaching format compared.
- Comparisons
Upstep Academy Review for Parents (2026): Formats, Founder, Verdict
Parent review of Upstep Academy: 1:1 or groups of 4–8, 20-minute free demo, founder Abhijit Hatkar, Anand-signed certificates. Standard kids-class fees unpublished.
4 min read Updated - Comparisons
Is Chess.com Safe for Kids? Not by Default — Here's What to Change
Chess.com's Safe Mode disables all messages, chats and comments, but you must contact Support to switch it on. A coach's guide to Chess.com and ChessKid safety.
4 min read Updated - Comparisons
Is Lichess Safe for Kids? Yes — But Kid Mode Is Off by Default
Lichess is safe for children once Kid Mode is on: it blocks all messages from strangers and hides forums, blogs, streams and videos. A coach's setup guide.
4 min read Updated - Comparisons
ChessKid vs Live Coaching: Which Does Your Child Need?
ChessKid or a live chess coach? An honest parent guide to what the app does well, when it's enough, when a coach helps more, and what each costs.
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ComparisonsCircleChess Review for Parents (2026): Fees from ₹3,000/mo, Coaches, Verdict
CircleChess is a legitimate Bengaluru online academy with GM Vishnu Prasanna's curriculum, two live classes weekly, ~₹3,700–4,050/mo (intermediate, August 2026).
4 min read Updated - Comparisons
Free vs Paid Chess Coaching for Kids: When Each Is Enough
When free tools like Lichess and ChessKid's free tier are enough for a child, and when paid live coaching earns its cost — a calm parent guide.
4 min read Updated - Comparisons
Kingdom of Chess: Fees from ₹4,499/mo, Reviews & 5 Alternatives (2026)
Kingdom of Chess plans work out to ≈₹406–₹687 per session (August 2026). Where it wins, where it falls short — plus 5 alternatives parents actually compare.
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ComparisonsChess Coaching vs Chess Apps for Kids
Chess apps vs live coaching for kids: when Lichess, ChessKid or Chess.com suffices, when a FIDE-rated coach adds value, and how to combine both.
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ComparisonsChess.com vs Lichess for Kids: Safety, Kid Mode & Which Is Better (2026)
Is Lichess safe? Is Chess.com safe for kids? A coach compares parental controls, Kid Mode, chat safety, puzzles and pricing — and when to use both.
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ComparisonsChessWize vs Aimchess for Kids
AI dashboards and live coaching compared: where Aimchess helps, where it cannot, and how to choose for your child in 2026.
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ComparisonsChessWize vs Chess.com for Kids: Coach or Platform?
Coach-led ChessWize vs self-guided Chess.com for kids: honest cost, format, and when each approach fits Indian families.
4 min read Updated - Comparisons
ChessWize vs ChessKid: Coaching vs Self-Learning
ChessWize personalised coaching vs the ChessKid self-guided platform: features, safety, costs, and which approach works better for young chess players.
4 min read Updated -
ComparisonsChessWize vs Lichess: Coaching vs Free Platform
Lichess (free, open-source) vs ChessWize coaching for Indian kids: features, child safety, study tools, and when each is the right choice.
4 min read Updated
How online coaching works
6 guidesWhat an online chess class actually looks like, how children practise between lessons, and how families track rating progress week to week.
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Online coachingIs Online Chess Coaching Safe for Kids?
Is online chess coaching safe for kids? Real risks, closed live lessons vs open play, coach checks, COPPA notes, and a parent evaluation method.
4 min read Updated - Online coaching
Chess Practice for Kids at Home: A Parent Guide
How much should your child practise chess at home, and what should they actually do? A simple, India-friendly routine that builds skill without burnout.
4 min read Updated -
Online coachingGroup vs Private Chess Classes for Kids
A practical India-focused comparison of group and private chess classes: cost, attention, motivation and coaching fit for ages 5–15.
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Online coachingHow Online Chess Classes Work for Kids
How online chess classes for kids run: live 1:1 or small-group video sessions, a shared board, demo booking, rescheduling and what you need at home.
4 min read Updated - Online coaching
How to Improve Your Child's Chess Rating
A practical, coach-written plan for Indian parents: how rating actually rises, what daily practice works, and the habits that move kids forward.
4 min read Updated -
Online coachingIs Online Chess Coaching Worth It for Kids?
Yes, for most kids 5-15 online chess coaching is worth it when the coach is named, FIDE-rated, and consistent. Here is how Indian parents can decide.
4 min read Updated
Tournaments & ratings
9 guidesThe competitive pathway for Indian kids: first tournament checklists, AICF and FIDE registration, time controls, score sheets and how ratings grow from 800 upward.
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Tournaments & ratingsPrintable chess score sheets (A4, free)
Three free A4 chess score sheets: rated (AICF + FIDE ID fields), large-cell kids, and a 15-move classroom sheet. Direct PDF links, no signup.
4 min read Updated -
Tournaments & ratingsAICF Rating for Kids Explained: A Parent's Guide
What an AICF rating is, how your child earns one, how it differs from a FIDE rating, and whether it matters for young Indian chess players.
4 min read Updated - Tournaments & ratings
Chess Tournaments for Kids in India: A Parent Guide
How chess tournaments for kids in India work: rated vs unrated events, AICF and FIDE IDs, Swiss pairings, what to pack, and signs your child is ready.
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Tournaments & ratingsAICF Tournaments for Beginners (2026): Membership, Fees & Your First Event
Step-by-step AICF guide for parents: state registration, membership costs, rating tiers, the tournament calendar, and how to prep for a first event.
4 min read Updated -
Tournaments & ratingsChess Time Controls for Kids: Classical, Rapid, Blitz
A parent's guide to chess time controls — classical, rapid, and blitz — with age-appropriate picks, increment explained, and when each suits children.
4 min read Updated -
Tournaments & ratingsChess Tournament & Rating Pathway in India (2026): District to Nationals
From first district open to nationals: AICF registration, entry fees from ₹200, age categories and FIDE Elo — the full pathway for kids, mapped by a coach.
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Tournaments & ratingsFIDE Rating & Elo for Kids: Realistic Ratings by Age (Parent Guide)
How chess ratings work for children — FIDE vs AICF, what rating is realistic at 8, 10 or 12, the junior K-factor, and healthy rating psychology.
4 min read Updated -
Tournaments & ratingsYour Child's First Chess Tournament in India
What parents need for a first kids chess tournament in India: AICF steps, Swiss format, age categories, pack list, nerves, and a coach's prep method.
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Tournaments & ratingsIndia's Chess Championship Pathway for Kids
A parent's guide to India's major chess championships: National Schools, AICF Nationals, Asian Youth, and World Cadets, with qualification paths.
4 min read Updated
Chess academies by city
6 guidesCity-by-city guides to chess academies, coaching fees and tournament scenes across India's six biggest chess cities.
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City guidesChess Academies in Bengaluru (2026): Named Centres, Published Fees & How to Choose
A parent's map of Bengaluru's chess coaching scene — Innovators, Karnataka Chess Academy, ZugZwang and other named centres, published fees (₹3,000/month offline where public), and when online coaching makes more sense.
4 min read Published -
City guidesChess Academies in Chennai (2026): The Parent's Map, from T. Nagar to Anna Nagar
Chennai's chess academy scene mapped for parents — Chess Gurukul, Madras School of Chess and other named centres, what's verifiable about each, and how to choose (or go online).
4 min read Published -
City guidesChess Academies in Hyderabad (2026): Offline Options, Fees & How to Choose
A parent's map of Hyderabad's chess coaching scene — named academies, published fees (from ₹2,500/month), what to check before enrolling, and when online coaching makes more sense.
4 min read Published -
City guidesChess Academies in Kolkata (2026): Offline Options, Fees & How to Choose
A parent's map of Kolkata's chess coaching scene — named academies from Ballygunge to Gorky Sadan, the fees that are actually published (with dates), what to check before enrolling.
4 min read Published -
City guidesChess Academies in Mumbai (2026): Offline Options, Fees & How to Choose
A parent's map of Mumbai's chess coaching scene — named academies from Nariman Point to Dahisar, why almost nobody publishes fees, what to check before enrolling, and when online coaching makes more sense.
4 min read Published - City guides
Chess Academies in Pune (2026): Offline Options, Fees & How to Choose
A parent's map of Pune's chess coaching scene — named academies with titled founders, what fees are actually published, a coach's checklist for choosing, and when online coaching makes more sense.
4 min read Published
Inside ChessWize
1 guideWho teaches at ChessWize and the results our students have produced.
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