What this Shillong class is
ChessWize is a live online chess class for children aged 5–15, offered to families in Shillong. A named coach teaches on a video call and shared digital board; this is not an in-person branch.
ChessWize is online only and has no local centre in Shillong.
Who the format fits
It fits families with a beginner through a rated player who can keep a recurring IST time agreed after the level check, want a group capped at six or a one-to-one lesson, and want one regular coach. It does not fit a family that needs a walk-in classroom in Shillong.
Live online chess classes built around a Shillong week
Shillong makes its own case for learning at home. Hill roads, evening rain, and ridges that stretch a short map distance into a long drive make a weekly after-school class hard to hold together. So we teach live online: your child joins from your own table, keeps the same coach every session, and never loses a lesson to weather. Mission-school culture in the hills already prizes disciplined co-curricular work, and a structured chess hour fits that rhythm without another cross-town transfer.
Coaching is live and led by experienced coaches: Hrdyansh Pandey, Tarun Gupta, and Aryan Pal. Children train in skill-matched batches of 4-6 similarly-rated students, where peer play and group calculation do real work, or one-to-one through our 1:1 Analyst Protocol. Age tracks cover ages 5-8, 9-12, and 13-15, and the ladder runs from beginner through intermediate and advanced to tournament prep and rating improvement, within 12-week synchronized batches.
Progress is something you read, not something you take on faith. The guarantee is a Weekly WhatsApp report for every student, so you see what was taught even if you never push a pawn yourself. On average it takes about 4 months of training to reach a tournament. The change shows outside chess too: one Lucknow mother, Rupali Sharma, wrote, 'Last Sunday his class teacher called just to ask what changed.'
Start with the complimentary 30-min level check before you commit: no payment, a real assessment, and an honest look at how your child responds. After that, the starter pack is ₹2,500 for 8 classes. Regular plans after the starter pack run from ₹375 to ₹1,000 per class depending on the plan. After 7 days on a 3-month or 6-month term in Shillong there is no refund, though remaining sessions can still be completed within the term.
Polo hall school chess for Meghalaya age groups
AICF lists Meghalaya Chess Association near Mt. Carmel, Mawlai Nongkwar, Shillong, with general secretary Khrawkupar Pajat. That association conducted the Meghalaya State School Chess Championship 2025 in Under-11, Under-13 and Under-17 for boys and girls. The championship concluded at the Gymnasium cum Indoor Sports Hall in Polo, Shillong, on 10 December 2025, with 223 players from affiliated districts of the state. St. Anthony's HS School, KV NEHU, Shillong and St. Mary's HS School were among the schools named on the prize list.
Who runs junior chess here
Events a child from Shillong can enter
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Meghalaya State School Chess Championship 2025
Concluded on 10 December 2025 · Gymnasium cum Indoor Sports Hall, Polo, Shillong
Meghalaya Chess Association ran Under-11, Under-13 and Under-17 sections for boys and girls, and 223 players from affiliated districts took part. [2]
Where to play
- Gymnasium cum Indoor Sports Hall. The 2025 Meghalaya State School Chess Championship concluded at this Polo hall on 10 December 2025. [2]
- St. Anthony's HS School. This school was represented in the Under-17 boys section at the 2025 Polo school championship. [2]
- KV NEHU, Shillong. A pupil from this school competed in Under-13 boys at the same Polo championship. [2]
- St. Mary's HS School. The Under-11 field at the 2025 Meghalaya State School Chess Championship included a pupil from this school. [2]
From online class to a first tournament
- Contact Meghalaya Chess Association near Mt. Carmel, Mawlai Nongkwar, and ask when the school championship for the child's age band is notified.
- Aim at the Under-11, Under-13 or Under-17 school sections used in Polo in December 2025, matching the child's year of birth on the notice.
- If a national Under-7 place is the goal, the 2026 prospectus required AICF registration for 2026-27 and an entry sent through the state association.
- Practise finishing a complete game on the clock in the weekly online lesson, then ask the coach to mark one scoresheet before Polo-style school rounds.
Good to know
- The 2025 school championship drew 223 players from affiliated districts of Meghalaya.
- National Under-7 2026 entries, including special entries, were to come through the concerned State Association.
Sources (checked 2026-09-28)
Class times for Shillong
Shillong runs on India Standard Time (IST) all year, so there is no daylight saving shift to track: the time on your clock is the time of the class. Coach availability windows, all labelled in IST, are 9:30 AM-1:30 PM, 10:30 AM-2:30 PM, 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, 11:30 AM-3:30 PM, 12:30-5:30 PM, 1:30-4:30 PM, 2:30-5:30 PM, 4:30-6:30 PM, 5:30-8:30 PM, and 4:30-9:30 PM. Because IST is the local time here, these windows read the same on your wall clock, and the evening slots land neatly after the school day.
Published weekly schedule in Indian Standard Time (Asia/Kolkata), as of 2026-09-05
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Window | Family time | Coach time |
|---|---|---|
| Family-agreed weekly class | Recurring time agreed after the level check (IST) | The same IST appointment for the family and coach |
What Shillong parents pay
Regular classes run from ₹375 to ₹1,000 per live class. The starter pack is ₹2,500 for 8 classes.
Prices are the INR list recorded in the pricing source as of 2026-09-29; unused sessions follow the published Refund policy.
Read the full courses and fees page →The coaching roster parents can check
No coach is assigned to Shillong merely because this is a city page. These are the national roster details published in the coaching data; the demo confirms the actual match for a child.
Hrdyansh Pandey
Ages 5–15 · Foundation, tactical, and tournament-prep tracks
Languages: English, Hindi
Tarun Gupta
All ages · Curriculum design + senior cohort coaching
Languages: English, Hindi
Aryan Pal
Ages 5–10 · Beginner foundations
Languages: English, Hindi
What the curriculum covers
Four phases: learn the board and legal moves; finish a complete game; use opening principles; find basic tactics and endings.
Recorded programme results
As of 2026-07-13, the trust record lists 1,000 students coached and 1,500 parents, with 4 district finishers in a cohort of 12 and an average of 4 months to a first tournament. These are past records, not a promise for one child.
How classes run
Your child keeps the same coach in a supervised small group, and a parent can sit in on any lesson. Read the full policy on the child safety page.
At home you need a laptop or tablet with a webcam and stable internet. Classes run in the browser. Setup details are on the online chess classes page.
The first meeting is a free 30-minute level check. Paid classes start only after you enrol and agree a recurring time.
The four published commitments
- Same coach every session — no rotation
- Full refund within 48 hours of enrolling on a monthly plan
- Complimentary 30-min level check before you commit
- Weekly WhatsApp report for every student
Refund wording is on the refund policy.
Eleven checks to make before enrolling
Each answer below is tied to the section that carries its proof, so a parent can verify the detail rather than rely on a slogan.
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Check 1
Who teaches my child, and are they rated?
Your child is taught by a coach. Our coaching team includes Hrdyansh Pandey, Tarun Gupta, and Aryan Pal. Classes are live, in English or Hindi, for ages 5-15, and the same coach stays with your child week after week so feedback never resets.
See coaches -
Check 2
How many children share the coach?
Batches are exclusive and skill-matched, capped at 4-6 students with similar ratings, so intense peer play and group calculation stay useful for everyone. If your child needs sharper attention, the 1:1 Analyst Protocol gives one coach to one student, mapping the current game and targeting the highest-value gap. Either way, no child is a face in a crowd.
See class size -
Check 3
Is there a real curriculum from beginner to rated play?
There is a real ladder, not a pile of puzzles. Roadmaps run from beginner (board, legal moves, first complete game, opening principles) through intermediate and advanced (calculation, positional clues, repertoire) to tournament prep and rating improvement, with age tracks for ages 5-8, 9-12, and 13-15. Each stage has named goals, so you can see what comes next.
See the curriculum -
Check 4
How will I know it is working?
You get a Weekly WhatsApp report for every student, so you can follow what was covered even if you never play yourself. Roadmaps are checked against named goals, and coaches set homework from errors in the previous class. That is the difference parents mention most: seeing the week's work in writing instead of guessing.
See progress reports -
Check 5
Is it safe, and can I see the classes?
Classes are live sessions your child attends from home, so you can sit nearby and see exactly how the coach teaches; nothing happens behind a closed club door. A weekly WhatsApp report follows every session, and the free demo lets you watch the coach's manner before you commit. Coaching is live with a fixed weekly coach, not a pre-recorded library.
Read safety policy -
Check 6
Can we try before paying?
Yes. The complimentary 30-min demo includes a level check and takes no payment, so the coach can see where your child stands before you spend anything. It is also the practical way to test your internet, audio, and attention at home in Shillong before buying a package of classes.
See the level check -
Check 7
What if we stop?
A Shillong family can take a full refund on a monthly plan within 48 hours of enrolling, then a pro-rated refund minus sessions attended before the 3rd class. After the 3rd session the current month is not refunded, though cancelling prevents later charges. Those windows sit beside the free demo, so you can read the terms before you pay, and leftover term sessions after 7 days can still be finished within the term.
See refund terms -
Check 8
Will the timings fit our week?
Timings are in IST, which is Shillong's own clock, so there is no conversion to manage. Windows run from 9:30 AM through the early afternoon and from 12:30 PM to 9:30 PM across the afternoon and evening blocks, including a 4:30-9:30 PM slot that lands after school. Because class happens at home, rain and hill traffic cannot steal the lesson.
See class times -
Check 9
What does it cost, exactly?
The starter pack is ₹2,500 for 8 classes, and that rate applies inside the pack. After the starter pack, regular plans run from ₹375 to ₹1,000 per class depending on the plan. Those are two different things, stated separately: you always know whether a number refers to the pack or to a regular plan.
See fees -
Check 10
Is there a path to tournaments?
Meghalaya Chess Association conducted the Meghalaya State School Chess Championship 2025, which drew 223 players and concluded at the Gymnasium cum Indoor Sports Hall in Polo, Shillong, on 10 December 2025. Ask that association about later school events, and check the chosen event's requirements. On average, students reach a first tournament in about four months of practice.
See results -
Check 11
What do I have to do at home?
Very little, and it should stay small. For younger children, five to ten focused minutes is enough: set up the board, show how one piece moves, or solve two familiar positions, and stop while the child is still interested. Older students keep a short error log and save one serious game a week for class, so the coach starts each lesson with real evidence.
See home setup
Watch family videos
Poster, title, speaker, and a one-line summary from the testimonial record. Each card links to its review page.
See every class, not just the fee
Every ChessWize class runs on ChessCore, so you always know what your child is learning.
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Your own parent dashboard
A private page for each child: next class, attendance, homework and progress, in one place.
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Progress you can read
Puzzle accuracy and a rating trend once your child has played enough games, explained in plain words.
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Notes from the coach
After classes the coach shares what your child worked on and what to practise next.
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Attendance and makeups
Every class is logged. If your child misses one, you can see the makeup credit and book it yourself.
No screen recording, keystroke logging or device-location access · classes recorded only with your consent. How we handle your child’s data →
Written reviews from parents
Two parent reviews for this page, with a Shillong-tagged record first when the source has one.
★★★★★
Honestly, I was skeptical about online chess coaching.
“Aadvik hated sitting still for anything, and I thought a Zoom class would last two weeks max. It's been six months. Last Sunday his class teacher called just to ask what changed — his attention in maths has jumped. He now does his puzzles before I'm up. Coach Arjun has the patience I don't.”
Rupali Sharma
Mother of Aadvik (9) · Lucknow
March 2026
★★★★★
She used to cry after every loss. Not anymore.
“Anika was playing 'casually' on chess.com and hanging pieces every game. First month the coach just drilled Checks-Captures-Threats. The dashboard is what sold me though. I don't know chess, but I can see exactly what she covered each week. Her play sharpened on its own by week eight.”
Monika Iyer
Mother of Anika (11) · Kanpur
February 2026
Google reviews from ChessWize parents
Google rating 5.0 from 21 reviews; the stored set was pulled 2026-07-08.
Utkarsh
December 2025
★★★★★
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great learning platform with clear teaching, supportive mentors, and well-structured content. Very effective and highly recommended
Read on Google →manasa
June 2026
★★★★★
It was a great platform for kids and learners.. teaching concepts and making them to think and play..Ankit rajoriya sir was excellent in teaching makes children in comfort zone by funy way and he starts teaching .that is the way children can engage whole time..
Read on Google →Rajeev
November 2025
★★★★★
I am extremely happy with ChessWize Chess Academy. The coaching is very structured, child-friendly, and delivered with amazing patience. Each session is interactive and helps kids build strong fundamentals along with confidence. The best part is the personal attention given to every student, which truly makes a big difference in their progress. The academy also celebrates students’ achievements, motivating them even more. I strongly recommend ChessWize to anyone looking for quality chess training.
Read on Google →Why the online format fits Shillong
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and sits at an average elevation of around 1,500 metres, often called the "Scotland of the East" for its rolling hills, pleasant climate, and colonial-era architecture.
Shillong's hilly terrain and winding roads mean that even short distances on a map can take longer to cover than expected, especially in the evening. Live online chess classes remove that travel variable, letting a Shillong family keep a consistent weekly slot regardless of local traffic or weather.
Local chess context
Meghalaya's schools in and around Shillong, including institutions affiliated with Christian missionary traditions dating back generations, have long emphasised well-rounded student development alongside academics. A structured chess curriculum fits comfortably into that existing culture of disciplined, activity-rich schooling.
Mission-school culture in the hills already prizes disciplined co-curriculars; a weekly online chess slot adds a measurable skill without another Laitumkhrah–Police Bazar–outer ridge transfer after school.
Online and offline choices
A nearby teacher within the same hill pocket can work if walks are short and weather is stable. Online usually wins when home and school sit on different ridges, or when rain and winding roads make evening pickups a poor trade for a 45-minute lesson.
See class details, fees and safety information below.
Questions from parents in Shillong
Which age groups did the 2025 Meghalaya school championship use?
Highland Post reported Under-11, Under-13 and Under-17 sections for boys and girls at the Meghalaya State School Chess Championship 2025. Meghalaya Chess Association conducted the event, and 223 players from affiliated districts of the state took part. Those bands are what that edition printed. A younger child still learning the pieces would wait for a notice that names the matching group, rather than assuming every school event uses the same three ages.
Where in Shillong did those school games take place?
The championship concluded at the Gymnasium cum Indoor Sports Hall in Polo on 10 December 2025. That is a documented hall for a state school event, not a daily coaching room. AICF separately lists Meghalaya Chess Association near Mt. Carmel, Mawlai Nongkwar, Shillong - 17, which is the affiliate address for paperwork. Confirm both the hall and the reporting time on the circular you actually enter.
Which Shillong schools appeared among the 2025 section winners?
Highland Post named St. Anthony's HS School for Under-17 boys, KV NEHU, Shillong for Under-13 boys, and St. Mary's HS School for Under-11. Those schools fielded the section winners at Polo. Ask your own school's games teacher whether the school is affiliating for a later edition, then register the child through Meghalaya Chess Association rather than turning up at Polo without a notice.
What does ChessWize cost for Shillong parents?
Classes start from ₹375 each. Live experienced coach, private or max-six batch, same coach every week so feedback stays continuous. Missed a class? Give 4 hours' notice and the make-up is free. Free 30-minute demo and level check with no payment. Weekly WhatsApp parent reports after sessions help you follow progress without driving across hill roads for a parent meeting.
Is there a ChessWize physical centre in Shillong?
No. We only coach live online — no branch in Meghalaya. Ages 5–15; English and Hindi. School clubs can cover over-the-board social play; ChessWize covers structured weekly teaching without hill-road travel at night. Same coach each week, free demo first, and a monthly refund within 48 hours of enrolling if plans change mid-package.
Does weather in Shillong disrupt online classes the way it disrupts travel?
Road travel is more weather-sensitive than a home video slot on a rainy evening. You still need power and internet, so keep a basic backup if outages are common at your address. The free demo is the best way to test setup, audio, and attention before buying a package of live classes.
How do I know the programme is legitimate before paying?
Start with the free demo — no payment and a real level check. ChessWize is rated 5.0 on Google from 21 reviews for the live online programme overall. Coaching is live with a fixed weekly coach, batches capped at six, and a free demo first, not a faceless video library sold without a trial.
Does ChessWize have a centre in Shillong?
No. We coach live online only, with no branch in Meghalaya. Your child joins from home, ages 5-15, in English or Hindi. School clubs can cover casual over-the-board play, while we handle structured weekly teaching without an evening drive across the hills. The same coach stays with your child each week, the demo is free, and a Shillong family can pause if plans change mid-package while remaining sessions are kept.
What does the programme cost in rupees?
Start with the free 30-minute demo and level check, which costs nothing. The starter pack is ₹2,500 for 8 classes. After that, regular plans range from ₹375 to ₹1,000 per class based on the plan you choose. The pack rate and the regular range are separate figures, never one blended price.
Will monsoon rain or power cuts disrupt our classes?
Rain affects hill roads, not a video call. The class happens at your table, so weather cannot cancel the lesson the way it cancels an evening drive. You do need power and internet, so if outages are common at your address, keep a basic backup ready. The free demo is the practical way to test your setup, audio, and connection before buying.
How do I know this is legitimate before paying anything?
Three checks. First, the demo is free and includes a real level check, so you meet the coach before money moves. Second, coaching is live with a fixed weekly coach and batches capped at six, not a pre-recorded library. Third, ChessWize holds a 5.ChessWize holds a 5.0 rating on Google from 21 reviews for the live online programme, and refunds follow the published refund policy.
When do classes happen in Shillong time?
In IST, the same clock Shillong already runs on, with no daylight saving to track. Windows open from 9:30 AM in the morning and run through the afternoon, with evening blocks such as 4:30-9:30 PM IST for after-school lessons. Because teaching happens at home, a rainy evening in Laitumkhrah costs you nothing: the coach is already on screen.
What homework will my child get between lessons?
Light, targeted work. Beginners practise one idea with variation, like a king-in-check position set several ways, and save one game a week for class. Intermediate and older students get mixed tactical sets, calculation without moving pieces, and one slow reviewed game, plus a short error log. Group students prepare one question or saved game so they can contribute next time.
Can my child reach a real tournament from online classes?
Yes. Tournament prep rehearses event conditions before the date, and offline or online events each have practical checklists: reporting time and notation for offline, device and fair-play requirements for online. The average run to a first tournament is about 4 months of structured training.
Do you take complete beginners who have never touched a board?
Yes. A beginner's first weeks cover how the pieces move and how a full game is finished, then opening principles and simple tactics and endings. Ages 5-8 follow their own track built around safe move habits and short complete games, so a six-year-old and a twelve-year-old beginner are not placed together. The free demo includes a level check, so placement is settled before the first paid class.