What this Ilford class is
ChessWize is a live online chess class for children aged 5–15, offered to families in Ilford. 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 Ilford.
Who the format fits
It fits families with a beginner through a rated player who can keep a weekly class with the same coach, 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 Ilford.
A live chess coach for your Ilford child, without the travel
If you are raising a child in Ilford or anywhere in Redbridge, you already know the local options: a school club that meets when it meets, and a drive across east London for anything more serious. No commute, no waiting in a car park, just a fixed weekly lesson that actually happens.
The classes are small by design: batches of 4-6 similarly-rated students, or fully private 1:1 coaching if your child needs focused attention. Every family starts with a complimentary 30-min level check before you commit, so you can see the teaching before paying anything. One promise we make to every family: Same coach every session - no rotation.
Parents who join us tend to stay because they can see the progress. A parent of a five-year-old says in her video: 'He likes to engage himself in the online play games and quizzes that have been assigned as homework'. A weekly progress report then lets you follow that work even if you have never played. You get a weekly WhatsApp report for every student, so even if you have never played chess yourself, you know exactly what your child covered and where they are improving.
We are honest about timing.
Chess in Ilford: Monday evenings at Redbridge Social Centre
Ilford Chess Club was founded in 1900 and describes itself as one of London's oldest chess clubs. It welcomes new members and meets at the Redbridge Social Centre, Beehive Lane, Ilford, Essex IG4 5EE. Essex Chess Association, founded in 1898, lists its home venue as Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead E11 2NT, in the London Borough of Redbridge. For a national age-group route, the London Junior Chess Championships has autumn qualifying events for U8, U10 and U12, and no prior qualification for U14 and above.
Who runs junior chess here
- Ilford Chess Club. Founded in 1900, the club describes itself as one of London's oldest chess clubs and welcomes new members. [1]
- Essex Chess Association. Founded in 1898, the association lists its home venue as Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead E11 2NT, in the London Borough of Redbridge. [2]
- English Chess Federation. The English Chess Federation is the governing chess organisation in England and is affiliated to FIDE. [3]
Where to play
From online class to a first tournament
- Contact Ilford Chess Club about sessions at the Redbridge Social Centre, and ask whether a junior can attend.
- Look up Essex Chess Association at Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead, for county activity in Redbridge.
- Rehearse complete games online and on a physical set, including how to use a chess clock.
- If you are considering the London Junior Chess Championships, read the autumn qualifying-event information for U8, U10 or U12, or the U14 and older sections that do not require prior qualification.
Good to know
- While London is on British Summer Time (UTC+01:00), Kolkata on IST is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of London.
Sources (checked 2026-09-28)
- [1] Ilford Chess Club - founded 1900, one of London's oldest chess clubs
- [2] Essex Chess Association - Since 1898
- [3] Juniors
- [4] Membership rates and joining details - English Chess Federation
- [5] Welcome | LJCC
- [6] Time Difference Between Kolkata India and London United Kingdom over the year - Time Of Day
Class times for Ilford
Families in Ilford book classes in their own time zone, during their local working day. The exact time is chosen when you book the free demo.
Ilford uses UK time, British Summer Time in the summer and GMT in the winter. The change between British Summer Time and GMT moves the coach's clock by an hour. The hour you book stays on UK time.
What Ilford parents pay
Regular classes run from ≈ £2.95 to ≈ £7.86 per live class. The starter pack is ≈ £19.65 for 8 classes.
Our prices are set in Indian rupees. If you pay from outside India, checkout shows and charges the amount in your local currency; local figures on this page are estimates as of 2026-09-29.
The coaching roster parents can check
No coach is assigned to Ilford 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. Every coach plays at a level well beyond beginner teaching, and the same named coach takes your child's session each week, so the teaching builds rather than restarts.
See coaches -
Check 2
How many children share the coach?
Group classes are capped at 4-6 students, matched by working level so no child is left behind or held back. If you want undivided attention, the 1:1 Analyst Protocol gives your child a private session built around their own games. Either way, the coach knows your child's name, style and gaps.
See class size -
Check 3
Is there a real curriculum from beginner to rated play?
We run age tracks for ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-15, plus beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, tournament prep, rating improvement and online summer camps. A beginner learns the board and finishes complete games; an advanced student audits their play, deepens calculation and converts training into events. Each level has a written roadmap.
See the curriculum -
Check 4
How will I know it is working?
You receive a weekly WhatsApp report for every student, naming what was taught and how your child responded. There is also a dashboard showing what each week covered. One parent put it plainly: "I don't know chess, but I can see exactly what she covered each week." You never have to guess whether it is working.
See progress reports -
Check 5
Is it safe, and can I see the classes?
Classes are live video sessions with a named coach, one-to-one or in a group of no more than six, with no open public chat. You are welcome to sit in on the session, and you receive a progress update afterwards. Your child learns from home under your roof, with a coach you have met in the free demo.
Read safety policy -
Check 6
Can we try before paying?
No payment details are required. Your child meets the coach, plays on the shared board and experiences a real lesson, and you see the teaching quality before deciding anything.
See the level check -
Check 7
What if we stop?
Ilford monthly plans still offer a full refund within 48 hours of enrolling, with a pro-rated amount minus sessions attended until the 3rd session. The month already begun then stays billed, while cancelling still ends later charges.
See refund terms -
Check 8
Will the timings fit our week?
Ilford follows the clock named in the schedule note on this page. The weekly time is agreed at the free demo, and the same coach holds that agreement.
See class times -
Check 9
What does it cost, exactly?
The starter pack is ≈ £19.65 for 8 classes. After that, regular plans run from ≈ £2.95 to ≈ £7.86 per class depending on the plan.
See fees -
Check 10
Is there a path to tournaments?
On average, students reach a first tournament in about four months of lessons. Essex Chess Association, founded in 1898, lists its home at Wanstead House in the London Borough of Redbridge. The London Junior Chess Championships hold autumn qualifying events for U8, U10 and U12, while U14 and above need no prior qualification. Ask Essex Chess Association about later play, and check that event's requirements.
See results -
Check 11
What do I have to do at home?
Very little is required from you. Younger children benefit from five to ten focused minutes with the board between lessons; older students save one serious game a week and bring a question to class. The coach sets homework matched to your child's errors.
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 Ilford-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
★★★★★
The resilience piece was unexpected — and the real win.
“We signed up for chess. What Ishita got was emotional self-regulation. Month one was all about learning to lose without falling apart. By month three she was analysing her own games after tournaments, pointing out where she'd blundered, calmly. Her results followed. But honestly, the composure is what I'll remember.”
Anjana Rao
Mother of Ishita (10) · Mumbai
January 2026
Google reviews from ChessWize parents
Google rating 5.0 from 21 reviews; the stored set was pulled 2026-07-08.
priyanshu
December 2025
★★★★★
A perfect place to learn chess the right way. Excellent trainers, structured lessons, and amazing improvement.
Read on Google →Susmita
June 2026
★★★★★
We are extremely happy with the quality of coaching provided by Chesswize, especially by our son’s chess teacher, Ankit Rajoria. Ankit is an exceptional coach who combines deep chess knowledge with patience, encouragement, and a genuine passion for teaching. He explains concepts in a simple and engaging manner, making it easy for young learners to understand and apply new strategies. His lessons are well-structured, interactive, and motivating. Since joining Chesswize and learning under Ankit’s guidance, we have noticed a significant improvement in our son’s chess skills, critical thinking, concentration, and confidence. Ankit creates a positive learning environment where children feel comfortable asking questions and are encouraged to continuously improve. We truly appreciate his dedication, professionalism, and commitment to each student’s growth. We highly recommend Chesswize and Ankit Rajoria to any parent looking for high-quality chess coaching for their child.
Read on Google →20EC101 Raghvendra
November 2025
★★★★★
ChessWize is a great platform for improving chess skills—clean interface, smart puzzles, and very helpful analysis.
Read on Google →Why the online format fits Ilford
Ilford anchors the east London side of this launch in Redbridge, where 16.5% of residents identified as Indian in the 2021 Census. The research identifies the area as an Indian and Gujarati family belt, giving Ilford a different community geography from the five west and north-west London or Midlands pages.
For an Ilford family, online coaching makes the teacher’s location irrelevant while keeping the child at home for the lesson.
Local chess context
Ilford children can use the English Chess Federation’s calendar to find ECF-rated junior play across England, and schools can enter the nationwide UK Chess Challenge. Those routes complement a regular online lesson and keep competitive chess grounded in real events rather than invented local claims.
Online and nearby offline choices
A Redbridge school club can provide valuable face-to-face games, and online coaching need not replace it. ChessWize has no Ilford branch; its role is a consistent live coach, a small-group ceiling and a weekend lesson without travel.
See class details, fees and safety information below.
Questions from parents in Ilford
Can my child go to Ilford Chess Club?
Ilford Chess Club meets at the Redbridge Social Centre, Beehive Lane, Ilford, Essex IG4 5EE. It was founded in 1900 and welcomes new members. Ask the club whether a junior can attend and which age it is aimed at. Essex Chess Association lists its home venue as Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead E11 2NT, in the same borough.
Does my child have to qualify for the London Junior Chess Championships?
The qualification route depends on age. U8, U10 and U12 players have qualifying events in the autumn. The U14 and older sections do not require prior qualification. Choose the relevant age section first, then read its entry details. The qualification rule alone does not settle every entry requirement.
Does my child need ECF membership before a rated event?
The English Chess Federation manages the official ECF player rating system, including eligible games for ECF and FIDE rating. Membership at Bronze or Gold level has a free first year for those below the age of 18. Ask the organiser which level an event requires, and read the ECF membership pages before you join.
Can an Ilford child still play chess through school?
Yes. Online coaching is the weekly teaching format, while school chess and competitions such as the UK Chess Challenge remain separate opportunities for in-person play. One can complement the other.
How does a family in Ilford choose the weekly class time?
You choose the weekly time when you book the free demo, and the same coach keeps it. You can move it when school terms or travel change the week.
Are Ilford classes recordings or live video?
They are live sessions with a coach and shared digital board, in 1:1 format or a group of up to six. The free 30-minute demo lets your child experience that interaction before the family enrols.
What does my Ilford child need for the online classes?
A device with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and a quiet spot at home. The coach teaches on a shared digital board, so no physical set is required for the lesson, though having one at home helps with short practice between sessions. We confirm everything works during the free demo.
Can my child still play chess at school in Redbridge?
Yes, and we encourage it. Online coaching is the weekly teaching format, while school chess and competitions such as the UK Chess Challenge remain separate chances for in-person play. The two complement each other: lessons build the skill, and school or ECF-rated events give it somewhere real to be tested.
How do I pay from the UK, and will I be charged extra?
ChessWize keeps one price list in Indian rupees, and your card is charged the equivalent in pounds at checkout at the live exchange rate. There is no separate or inflated overseas rate. The starter pack is ≈ £19.65 for 8 classes; regular plans afterwards run from ≈ £2.95 to ≈ £7.86 per class.
Are the classes live video or recorded lessons?
They are live sessions. The coach watches your child play, gives feedback during the class and teaches on a shared digital board, in 1:1 format or a small group. This is not a library of pre-recorded videos. Your child can ask questions in the moment, which is where most of the learning happens.
Will my child keep the same coach every week?
Yes. The coach who starts with your child stays for every session, with no rotation. This matters because chess teaching compounds: a coach who saw your child struggle with checkmate patterns last week starts this week exactly there. Constantly changing teachers would reset that memory, so we simply do not do it.
How long before my child is ready for a real tournament?
On average, students reach their first tournament in about 4 months, though it depends on the starting level and how often they play serious games between lessons. Our tournament-prep track rehearses event conditions and reviews real games, and the ECF calendar gives Ilford children rated junior events to aim at.
Does my child need to know chess before joining?
No. Our beginner track starts with the board and legal moves and works towards finishing complete games, and the ages 5-8 track is built for children meeting the game for the first time. The free 30-minute level check places your child on the right rung of the ladder before any paid class begins.
Is the Ilford demo a real class?
Yes. The Ilford demo is a live 30-minute session with a coach and a level check, and it needs no payment details. You meet the coach before you enrol.
Can we try a class before enrolling?
Yes. Every family can start with a complimentary 30-minute demo and level check, with no payment details required.
Are the UK classes live or recorded?
They are live video classes. The coach watches your child play, gives feedback during the session and teaches on a shared digital board; the programme is not a library of recorded lessons.
How are online sessions kept safe for children?
Classes are one-to-one or in a small group of no more than six with a named coach, without an open public chat. Parents may sit in, and the family receives a progress update after the session.