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ChessWize

Ohio · US Eastern Time (ET) — pilot markets on the East Coast

Chess Classes in Columbus for Kids

ChessWize runs live online chess for Columbus kids with FIDE-rated coaches, small batches of six or 1:1, and a free 30-minute demo. Same coach weekly on weekend ET mornings or a 7–8 AM ET weekday slot — built for central Ohio school weeks, without weekday-evening overpromises.

These are live online classes for families in Columbus; ChessWize does not present this page as a neighbourhood branch or walk-in centre.

Published · Updated · Page record intlcity_us_columbus

See courses & fees
generated/city-us-columbus Child in Columbus taking a live online chess class with a coach on video
Child in Columbus taking a live online chess class with a coach on video

What this Columbus class is

ChessWize is a live online chess class for children aged 5–15, offered to families in Columbus. 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 Columbus.

Who the format fits

It fits beginners through rated players whose family can protect one of the published US Eastern Time (ET) — pilot markets on the East Coast windows, wants a group capped at six or a one-to-one format, and values one regular coach. It does not fit a family that needs a walk-in classroom in Columbus.

Live chess coaching that fits a Columbus school week

If you are raising a child in Columbus, you already know the week fills up fast. Between school in Dublin, Upper Arlington or wherever you are in the metro, and everything else, adding another drive across the outerbelt for a club night is a lot to ask. ChessWize is online-only, so your child learns live from a FIDE-rated coach at home, in English or Hindi, at times that actually work for an Ohio family: weekend mornings or a weekday slot before school.

We will be honest with you about the trade-off. Because our coaches are based in India, we do not staff weekday evenings in US Eastern Time. What we do offer is a Saturday morning cohort window and an early-morning weekday hour, and we would rather tell you that plainly than sell you a slot we cannot staff. One mother put it this way: "I don't know chess, but I can see exactly what she covered each week."

Your child is placed in a small, skill-matched batch of 4-6 students, or works 1:1 if that suits better, and keeps the same coach every session. You start with a complimentary 30-minute level check before you commit, and if you stop, you get a 100% refund on unused sessions. From first moves to rated tournament play, there is a defined ladder for every age and level.

Saturday, 8:00–11:00 AM ET; Weekday before school, 7:00–8:00 AM ET US Eastern Time (ET) — pilot markets on the East Coast US Eastern Time (ET) — pilot markets on the East Coast

Class times for Columbus

The table keeps Columbus time beside the coach's India time so a parent can check the weekly fit before booking.

Columbus runs on US Eastern Time, so our two staffed windows line up cleanly with local life. Weekend morning cohorts meet Saturday, 8:00-11:00 AM ET, which is 5:30-8:30 PM IST (approx; shifts 1 hr with US daylight saving). The early-morning weekday slot runs before school, 7:00-8:00 AM ET, which is 4:30-6:30 PM IST (approx; shifts 1 hr with US daylight saving). We do not offer weekday-evening classes, because that is the middle of the night for our India-based coaches. Confirm your preferred window on the free demo.

US Eastern Time (ET) — pilot markets on the East Coast 2026-09-05
Published weekly schedule in US Eastern Time (ET) — pilot markets on the East Coast, as of 2026-09-05
Window Family time Coach time
Weekend morning cohorts Saturday, 8:00–11:00 AM ET 5:30–8:30 PM IST (approx; shifts 1 hr with US daylight saving)
Early-morning weekday slot Weekday before school, 7:00–8:00 AM ET 4:30–6:30 PM IST (approx; shifts 1 hr with US daylight saving)
≈ $3.31–≈ $10.58; ≈ $26.44 USD per live class; 8-class pack fx 2026-09-04

What Columbus parents pay

The local-currency guide runs from ≈ $3.31 to ≈ $10.58 per live class. The starter pack is ≈ $26.44 for 8 classes.

Shown in USD at the mid-market rate of 2026-09-04

The ≈ $26.44 local guide sits beside the billing amount of ₹2,500 for 8 classes. ChessWize bills the INR list; the family's provider converts it. Rate reference: 1 USD = ₹94.54 from open.er-api.com mid-market.

Read the full courses and fees page →

The coaching roster parents can check

No coach is assigned to Columbus 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, ChessWize chess coach

Hrdyansh Pandey

Published FIDE rating 1850

FIDE ID IN-25600184 · Verify profile

Ages 5–15 · Foundation, tactical, and tournament-prep tracks

Languages: English, Hindi

Tarun Gupta, ChessWize chess coach

Tarun Gupta

Published FIDE rating 1920

No FIDE ID is published in the current roster record.

All ages · Curriculum design + senior cohort coaching

Languages: English, Hindi

Aryan Pal, ChessWize chess coach

Aryan Pal

Published FIDE rating 1780

No FIDE ID is published in the current roster record.

Ages 5–10 · Beginner foundations

Languages: English, Hindi

Meet every ChessWize coach →

What the curriculum covers

Class length

Class length: see the programme page. The shared programme data does not publish one duration for every track, so this page does not manufacture one.

Batch formats in the programme data

12-week synchronized batches with strictly 4-6 similarly-rated students

Private option: 1:1 Analyst Protocol. Private 1:1 live analysis sessions + engine homework + written coach reviews

Beginner → intermediate → advanced

Beginner

  1. Learn the board and legal moves. The child practises setup, movement, captures, check, checkmate, castling, promotion, and en passant through playable examples. The coach checks understanding by changing the position.
  2. Finish a complete game. Once the rules are stable, the child plays guided games. The coach helps with a simple thinking routine but leaves enough space for the student to make and correct decisions.
  3. Use opening principles. Development, centre control, and king safety give the first moves a purpose. The child learns principles that work across many openings before studying a named repertoire.
  4. Find basic tactics and endings. Forks, pins, simple mates, and basic king-and-pawn endings turn rules into practical skill. Reviews stay focused on mistakes the beginner is ready to understand.

Intermediate

  1. Stabilise tactical vision. Pins, forks, skewers, discoveries, and removal of the defender are practised in mixed positions. The child must identify why a tactic works and what would stop it.
  2. Choose candidate moves. Instead of calculating the first attractive move, the student lists sensible choices. Checks, captures, threats, and improving moves become part of a deliberate search.
  3. Read positional clues. Open files, weak squares, pawn breaks, and poorly placed pieces help the child form a plan. Strategy stays connected to concrete moves rather than abstract rules.
  4. Link openings to endings. A compact repertoire produces familiar middlegames, while essential king-and-pawn and rook endings improve confidence when pieces come off the board.

Advanced

  1. Audit the player's game. Recent tournament and online games are grouped by error type. The coach establishes priorities and distinguishes one-off mistakes from patterns that need a training block.
  2. Deepen calculation. Exercises include candidate selection, comparison of resulting positions, defensive resources, and stopping points. Accuracy and evaluation matter more than the number of moves calculated.
  3. Refine repertoire and strategy. Opening files are tied to model positions and likely opponents. Middlegame work covers pawn structures, exchanges, initiative, and transitions rather than memorisation alone.
  4. Convert training into events. Pre-event preparation, clock plans, rest, and post-event review connect weekly lessons to competitive play. The plan changes as new game evidence appears.

How the first month starts

The level check establishes the starting point. Early lessons then use the first roadmap goal for that level: beginners learn the board and legal moves, intermediate players stabilise tactical vision, and advanced players audit recent games. The coach moves from that evidence instead of assigning a city-wide syllabus.

Practice and parent reporting

A beginner benefits from repetition with variation. Set up a king-in-check position in several ways, ask for all legal responses, or practise one mating pattern from both sides of the board. This confirms that the child understands the idea rather than remembers one diagram.

For visibility at home, the published commitment is Weekly WhatsApp report for every student, giving the family a regular account of what to practise next.

1000; 1500; 4/12; 4 months 2026-07-13

Recorded programme results

The first-party trust record, last changed 2026-07-13, lists 1,000 students coached and 1,500 parents. It also records 4 district finishers in a cohort of 12, plus an average of 4 months to a first tournament. These are past records, not a promised result for one child.

DISTRICT — 2ND PLACE

Rachit Seksaria

Came to us plateaued and prepping for a district event. The coach analysed his games to pinpoint weak links, then drilled them. Within 2 months he finished 2nd (on tiebreaks) in the district tournament.

Event: District Tournament — 2nd place (tiebreaks)

Record date: 2 months in programme

FIDE-RATED AT AGE 6

Gahan C

His mother was understandably worried — would a 3-year-old learn online? She agreed to a 2-month trial. That was 2½ years ago. Gahan is still with us, has progressed from absolute beginner to a FIDE-rated player, and is the academy's youngest tournament-rated student.

Event: FIDE-rated tournament (youngest in academy)

Record date: 2.5+ years in programme

ACTIVE PROGRAMME STUDENT

Jiyansh

Active student in our structured programme — works through the same Foundation → Tactical → Tournament pathway every ChessWize student does. Photos from his recent classroom and practice sessions.

Event: Cohort tournament practice

Record date: In programme

How child safety works

Every coach clears a multi-step hiring process, and background verification — police clearance plus a reference check — is completed before they teach a child. Classes are live lessons rather than recorded lesson libraries, parents may sit in on any session, and a parent or guardian should remain at home during classes for children under eight. Read the complete, observable delivery policy on the child safety page.

What to set up at home

Any laptop, desktop, or tablet with a stable internet connection and a webcam. Classes run on Zoom plus our own student platform for puzzles, homework, and progress tracking. Nothing to install — it all runs in the browser.

What happens in the demo

  1. 1 · Meet

    A FIDE-rated coach meets the child for the complimentary 30-min level check before you commit.

  2. 2 · Check

    The child plays and solves positions so the coach can identify the current level.

  3. 3 · Match

    The family hears which skill-matched batch or one-to-one format fits the assessment.

  4. 4 · Decide

    No payment is taken before the demo. Paid classes begin only after enrolment and an agreed recurring time.

The four published commitments

These lines come directly from the shared trust record and are shown without rewriting their terms.

  • Same coach every session — no rotation
  • 100% refund on unused sessions
  • Complimentary 30-min level check before you commit
  • Weekly WhatsApp report for every student

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.

  1. Check 1

    Who teaches my child, and are they rated?

    Your child is taught by FIDE-rated coaches such as Hrdyansh Pandey (FIDE rating 1850), Tarun Gupta (1920) and Aryan Pal (1780). Classes are live over video, so the coach watches your child play and corrects them in real time, in English or Hindi, for ages 5-15.

    Check the proof →
  2. Check 2

    How many children share the coach?

    Batches are strictly 4-6 similarly-rated students, so your child gets real attention while still enjoying peer play and group calculation. If you prefer full attention, the 1:1 Analyst Protocol gives your child a private coach who maps their game and targets the highest-value gap.

    Check the proof →
  3. Check 3

    Is there a real curriculum from beginner to rated play?

    Yes. There are age tracks for 5-8, 9-12 and 13-15, plus beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, one-on-one, group, tournament-prep, summer camp and rating-improvement roadmaps. A beginner starts with the board and legal moves and finishes a complete game; advanced students refine repertoire and convert training into events.

    Check the proof →
  4. Check 4

    How will I know it is working?

    You receive a weekly WhatsApp report for every student, so you can see exactly what was covered each week even if you do not play chess yourself. Coaches also review your child's saved games in class, and rating-improvement students track a retested trend rather than a vague impression.

    Check the proof →
  5. Check 5

    Is it safe, and can I see the classes?

    Each class is live and supervised, with a named coach present throughout and no open chat with strangers. A parent does all the account setup, and children never create their own accounts with us, in the spirit of COPPA. We collect only what a parent provides to book and run the classes.

    Check the proof →
  6. Check 6

    Can we try before paying?

    Yes. Your child starts with a complimentary 30-minute demo and level check at a weekend-morning or early-morning ET slot, with no payment details required. It is the easiest way to see whether the coach holds your child's attention before you commit to anything.

    Check the proof →
  7. Check 7

    What if we stop?

    If you stop, you get a 100% refund on unused sessions. That guarantee is part of how we work, not a negotiation. Combined with the free level check, it means you can find out whether online coaching suits your child in Columbus without risking money on classes that never happen.

    Check the proof →
  8. Check 8

    Will the timings fit our week?

    We run two Eastern-time windows built for Ohio school weeks: Saturday morning cohorts, 8:00-11:00 AM ET, and a weekday pre-school slot, 7:00-8:00 AM ET. We do not staff weekday evenings. Many northwest-suburb parents protect one weekend hour instead of adding another after-dark drive.

    Check the proof →
  9. Check 9

    What does it cost, exactly?

    The starter pack is about $26.44 for 8 classes, which works out to about $3.31 per class. After that, regular plans run from about $3.97 to about $10.58 per class depending on the plan. Your card is charged the local-currency equivalent of our rupee price list at checkout, with no inflated overseas rate.

    Check the proof →
  10. Check 10

    Is there a path to tournaments?

    There is a clear path. US Chess organises rated scholastic events nationwide, and Ohio schools take part through clubs and weekend tournaments. Our tournament-prep roadmap rehearses event conditions and repairs the game plan, and on average students reach their first tournament in about 4 months, with district finishes among our cohorts.

    Check the proof →
  11. Check 11

    What do I have to do at home?

    Very little is required of you. A few focused minutes of practice between classes help, and for younger children a parent may sit nearby at first. Save one game a week for class, note any rule that caused confusion, and let the coach turn that into the next lesson's starting point.

    Check the proof →

Watch every family video in the source record

These four files, posters, speaker labels, quotes, and summaries come from the testimonial and evidence inventories. Metadata appears only when it exists in those records.

video-testimonial-1-video

A Parent's Journey

ChessWize Parent

“We tried two other academies before ChessWize. The difference is the weekly progress report — I can actually see what's working. He's improved more than we ever imagined.”

Steady, visible improvement

2026-05-03 owner-cleared-2026-09-04

video-testimonial-2-video

From Beginner to Confident

ChessWize Parent

“She wouldn't even play with her grandfather because she was afraid of losing. Six months in, she's the one challenging him. The confidence is the real result.”

Composed under pressure · plays tournaments

2026-05-03 owner-cleared-2026-09-04

video-testimonial-3-video

Transformation in Focus

ChessWize Parent

“His school teacher actually called us to ask what changed. The ability to sit still and concentrate has carried straight into his maths and reading.”

Focus carried into school work

2026-05-03 owner-cleared-2026-09-04

video-testimonial-4-video

Student Testimonial

ChessWize Student

“What I love most is that my coach actually explains why a move is bad — not just that it is. I'm thinking ahead two or three moves now without being told.”

Tournament-ready in 6 months

2026-05-03 owner-cleared-2026-09-04

Written reviews from parents

The full written-review array is shown below, with a Columbus-tagged record first when the source has one. Names, roles, cities, dates, ratings, and words remain as stored.

★★★★★

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

★★★★★

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

5 21 2026-07-08

Every stored Google review

Google rating 5.0 from 21 reviews; the stored review set was pulled 2026-07-08.

Open the Google profile →

Harshi

July 2026

★★★★★

We had been searching for a chess class online for our sons. Suddenly on instagram , we saw the ad for chesswize and connected with the them. The demo was really good and we started the classes for our almost 4.7 year old son. Ankit Rajoriya Sir engaged him really well , he very knowlegeble in his field. His classes are well structured and he teaches the concepts in simple and engaging manner. My son has started loving chess and has started applying the strategies. The environment of the class is really positive where kids feel safe asking questions and their queries are answered well. We truly appreciate his professionalism, dedication, and commitment towards his students. We highly recommend Chesswize and Ankit Rajoriya Sir to any parent looking for chess classes for their kids.

Read on Google →

Ayushi

June 2026

★★★★★

We are very happy with the coaching at Chesswize, especially with our son’s teacher, Ankit Rajoriya. Ankit sir is a wonderful coach especially for younger kids.He knows the game deeply but also teaches with patience, encouragement, and real passion. He explains ideas in a clear and easy way, so children can understand and use them in their games. His classes are well-planned, fun, and motivating. Since our son started learning with Ankit sir, we have seen big improvements in his chess skills, thinking ability, focus, and confidence. He creates a friendly environment where kids feel comfortable asking questions and are inspired to keep getting better. We truly value his dedication and care for each student. We strongly recommend Chesswize and Ankit Rajoriya sir to any parent who wants quality chess coaching for their child.

Read on Google →

Anisha

June 2026

★★★★★

Coach Ankit has been amazing for my 8-year-old. He’s super friendly and explains chess rules in a way kids actually get. My son looks forward to every Chesswize class now. He motivates him to do better without any pressure, and I’ve seen fast improvement in both his game and confidence. Highly recommend Ankit for young beginners!

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 →

divya

June 2026

★★★★★

I am very happy with the overall experience at chesswize! Mr Ankit Rajoriya makes the class so much fun. Honestly the whole session finishes without any boring or dull moment. Everything is so systematic. Its worth it!

Read on Google →

Padma

June 2026

★★★★★

Hi, just wanted to share a feedback about the ongoing chess classes My daughter harshitha really enjoyed learning chess with Ankit Rajoriya. His classes are highly engaging and interactive, making it easy to stay focused throughout the session. He explains concepts clearly, patiently answers questions, and provides practical strategies that help improve both understanding and gameplay. I have noticed a steady improvement in her chess skills and confidence since joining his classes. I would highly recommend Ankit as a chess coach to anyone looking to learn and grow in chess. Really appreciate the effort and happy with her progress 👍

Read on Google →
Read the remaining 11 stored reviews

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 →

Sri

June 2026

★★★★★

Extremely happy with Tarun, he teaches my son really well, explains the topic in child understandable language, very disciplined..Thanks for the wonderful sessions

Read on Google →

Anusha

December 2025

★★★★★

Chesswise Academy is an excellent place for kids to learn chess. The trainer is patient, knowledgeable, and focuses on building strong basics. Classes are well-organized and engaging. I can see good improvement in my child’s thinking and confidence. Highly recommend Chesswise Academy for chess learning.

Read on Google →

priyanshu

December 2025

★★★★★

A perfect place to learn chess the right way. Excellent trainers, structured lessons, and amazing improvement.

Read on Google →

Utkarsh

December 2025

★★★★★

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great learning platform with clear teaching, supportive mentors, and well-structured content. Very effective and highly recommended

Read on Google →

Shailja

November 2025

★★★★★

It's a truly amazing platform which not only enriches the individual's skills but also boost up the candidates to pursue in the field of success ....

Read on Google →

Tushar

November 2025

★★★★★

My nephew is learning chess from chesswize and I'm very happy with his progress.The teaching style is clear, engaging, and very student friendly. Highly recommended for kids!

Read on Google →

Ankit

November 2025

★★★★★

One of the best platform to learn chess skill, enhance either. The instructors are young and enthusiastic.

Read on Google →

20EC101

November 2025

★★★★★

ChessWize is a great platform for improving chess skills—clean interface, smart puzzles, and very helpful analysis.

Read on Google →

Priyansh

November 2025

★★★★★

My brother started chess 6 months ago from beginner level and now he is in Intermediate level. Their 2:1 program is highly effective.

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 Columbus

Columbus is Ohio’s capital and largest city, with a large university presence and growing suburban rings where many dual-career families live. Indian-American communities are well established in parts of the metro, especially around northwestern suburbs known for schools and tech employers.

India-based coaches cannot staff Columbus weekday evenings. ChessWize only offers Eastern weekend-morning cohorts and a 7–8 AM ET weekday pre-school slot. For Indian-American parents who want live coaching in English or Hindi without another midweek drive across the outerbelt, those windows are the truthful fit.

Local chess context

US Chess organises rated scholastic events nationwide, and Ohio schools take part in that system through clubs and weekend tournaments. Columbus’s academic culture makes chess a natural structured extracurricular; a dedicated weekly coach turns casual interest into planned practice without requiring a physical ChessWize branch.

Online and nearby offline choices

A local club is fine when it is close and consistent. ChessWize is online-only with no Columbus centre. Online suits metro-wide distances, winter weather, and parents who want weekly WhatsApp reports plus refunds on unused classes.

Programme claims are linked to first-party pages below; the national federation link comes from the country source record.

Residual questions answered below 18 parent questions

Questions from parents in Columbus

What does ChessWize cost for Columbus families?

Fees follow the India INR price list; your card pays the USD equivalent at checkout. No invented Columbus dollar menu. Live 1:1 or max-six groups with the same coach weekly, and unused classes are refundable. Free 30-minute demo and level check with no payment up front.

Is online coaching effective, and is there a ChessWize centre in Columbus?

No physical centre — live online only. A FIDE-rated coach teaches in real time on video, ages 5–15, English or Hindi. School clubs can still handle social OTB play. Programme Google rating is 5.0 from 21 reviews. The free demo is the best way to test attention at home.

Do classes work for families in Dublin / northwest suburbs with long school days?

Yes, if you use staffed windows: weekend mornings ET or 7–8 AM ET weekdays. We do not staff weekday evenings from India. Many northwest-side parents protect one weekend hour rather than adding another after-dark drive. Confirm the slot on the free demo before enrolling.

The India time difference is huge — how can this work for a US family?

Honestly, weekday after-school does not work: 3–8 PM US Eastern is the middle of the night in India. So we run the US as an Eastern-time pilot with two windows that genuinely work — Saturday-morning cohorts (8–11 AM ET) and an early-morning weekday slot before school (7–8 AM ET). We do not pretend to offer US weekday-evening classes.

Which US time zones can you serve right now?

The pilot covers US Eastern Time. We are not yet taking Pacific-time bookings, because the overlap with Indian coaching hours is too thin to promise a reliable weekly slot. We would rather say that plainly than sell you a slot we cannot staff.

How does payment and pricing work from the US?

ChessWize keeps one price list in Indian rupees (from INR 2,500 for 8 classes). Your card is simply charged the equivalent in your local currency at checkout, so there is no separate or inflated overseas rate.

Is my child’s privacy protected (COPPA)?

Classes are live and supervised, with no open chat with strangers and a named coach. We collect only what a parent provides to book and run classes, and a parent sets everything up — in the spirit of COPPA, children do not create their own accounts with us.

Do we get a free trial first?

Yes. You start with a complimentary 30-minute demo and level check at a weekend or early-morning ET slot, with no payment details required.

Are these live classes or recorded lessons?

Live over video with a FIDE-rated coach who watches your child play and corrects them in real time — not recorded content.

Is there a ChessWize centre in Columbus?

No, there is no physical centre. ChessWize is online-only, with live classes over video taught by FIDE-rated coaches for ages 5-15 in English or Hindi. A local school club can still handle casual over-the-board play, while your child gets structured weekly coaching at home. The programme holds a 5.0 Google rating from 21 reviews, and the free demo lets you test it at home first.

Will classes work for families in Dublin with long school days?

Yes, if you use the staffed windows: weekend mornings ET or the 7:00-8:00 AM ET weekday slot before school. We do not staff weekday evenings from India, so we will not promise them. Many northwest-side parents protect one weekend hour rather than adding another after-dark drive across the outerbelt. Confirm the slot that suits your week on the free demo before enrolling.

How does payment work from the US?

ChessWize keeps one price list in Indian rupees, and your card is simply charged the equivalent in your local currency at checkout. There is no separate or inflated overseas rate. The starter pack is about $26.44 for 8 classes, and regular plans after that range from about $3.97 to about $10.58 per class depending on the plan.

What ages and levels do you teach?

Children from 5 to 15, with dedicated tracks for ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-15, plus beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. There are also one-on-one, group, tournament-prep, summer-camp and rating-improvement roadmaps. A complimentary 30-minute level check before you commit places your child on the right rung of the ladder from the very first paid class.

Can my child really reach rated tournaments from online classes?

Yes. US Chess runs rated scholastic events nationwide and Ohio schools participate through clubs and weekend tournaments, so the pathway exists locally. Our tournament-prep roadmap covers the event format, repairs the game plan and rehearses tournament conditions. On average, students take about 4 months to reach their first tournament, and cohort district finishes back up the approach.

Does my child need chess experience to start?

No. The beginner roadmap starts with the board and legal moves, moves on to finishing a complete game, then opening principles, basic tactics and endings. The complimentary 30-minute level check places your child at the right rung, and batches of 4-6 are matched by working level, so a newcomer is never out of their depth next to experienced players.

What do we need at home for a class?

A device with video, a chess board, a notebook and the login ready before the session. A predictable setup stops a short class from losing time to passwords or missing pieces. For the youngest ages, an adult sitting close by at the start helps; soon your child handles the session with the coach on their own.

What happens during the complimentary 30-minute demo?

The coach runs a level check to see where your child stands, then teaches a short sample lesson so you both see how live instruction feels over video. Nothing is charged and no card details are needed. If the timing suits your week, you confirm the slot and enroll; if not, you leave with an honest read on your child's level.

Will a quiet child cope in a group batch?

Yes. Participation can begin with written answers or moves on the board rather than speaking up, and batches of 4-6 stay small enough for a coach to notice who is following. Tell the coach if shyness, language or pace is stopping your child from showing what they know, and the weekly WhatsApp report keeps you informed.

Other cities in the US

Let your child meet the coach first

Use the complimentary level check to test the teaching fit, confirm a US Eastern Time (ET) — pilot markets on the East Coast slot, and review the USD guide before paying.