What this New York City class is
ChessWize is a live online chess class for children aged 5–15, offered to families in New York City. 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 New York City.
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 New York City.
A steady chess coach for your child, without another subway trip
ChessWize runs live online chess for kids with experienced coaches, in batches of 4-6 similarly-rated students or one-on-one.
The teaching is structured, not casual. Your child moves through a level roadmap that starts with the board and legal moves and builds toward tactics, planning and rated tournament play. A parent of a five-year-old says in her video: 'In one month, my son has shown immense progress in the game of chess. He is able to understand the logic.' The weekly WhatsApp report arrives every week, so you never have to guess whether the class is doing anything.
Before you pay anything, your child takes a complimentary 30-minute level check so the coach can place them correctly. Many Queens and Brooklyn families keep a school club or a Marshall Chess Club visit for over-the-board play and use us for the weekly teaching plan that feeds those local events. The result is a calmer, better-prepared player who arrives at the board with a plan instead of a guess.
Chess in New York City: West 10th Street and school tournaments
New York City has a club on West 10th Street and an organization offering chess in schools and tournaments. The Marshall Chess Club, at 23 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011, describes itself as one of the oldest chess clubs in the United States and lists Saturday-Sunday hours from 9 AM to midnight. Chess In The Schools, calling itself America's original chess education organization, states it works in 48 schools in NYC and runs 25+ tournaments annually. Its report on the All Girls NYC Chess Championship, held at PS 11M on Saturday 18 April 2026, described over 400 participants and submission to USCF for rating.
Who runs junior chess here
- Chess In The Schools. It calls itself America's original chess education organization, states it works in 48 schools in NYC, and says it runs 25+ tournaments annually. [1]
- New York State Chess Association. It says it holds America's longest-running chess tournament, the New York State Championship, along with its longest-running state scholastic tournament. [2]
Events a child from New York City can enter
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All Girls NYC Chess Championship
Held on Saturday 18 April 2026 · PS 11M, New York City
Chess In The Schools said over 400 girls competed and that the event was submitted to USCF for rating. [3]
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58th annual New York State Scholastic Championships
7-8 March 2026 · Saratoga Springs, New York
The state scholastic listing covered grades K-8 only and named Saratoga Springs as the location for the March 2026 edition. [4]
Where to play
- Marshall Chess Club. The club lists its address as 23 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011, with Saturday-Sunday hours 9 AM to midnight. [5]
Players from New York City
- Grandmaster Irina Krush. She emigrated with her parents to Brooklyn in 1989 and is an eight-time US Women's Champion. [6]
From online class to a first tournament
- Ask the Marshall Chess Club about activities suitable for your child before visiting its listed address at 23 West 10th Street.
- Ask Chess In The Schools whether it works in your child's school, given that it states it works in 48 NYC schools.
- Look through Chess In The Schools tournament information and ask which events accept your child and whether they are rated.
- For state scholastic play, consult the New York State Chess Association for dates and grade limits instead of planning around the past March 2026 Saratoga Springs listing.
Good to know
- New York is among the states Wikipedia lists as entirely in the Eastern Time Zone.
- US Chess tells new members that membership includes the opportunity to participate in rated play and establish a chess rating.
- The March 2026 K-8 state listing named Saratoga Springs; check the venue for the edition you choose before planning travel from New York City.
Sources (checked 2026-09-28)
- [1] Chess In The Schools homepage
- [2] New York State Chess Association official website
- [3] All Girls NYC Chess Championship | Chess In The Schools
- [4] 58th annual New York State Scholastic Championships, open to grades K-8 only | US Chess.org
- [5] Marshall Chess Club homepage
- [6] Wikipedia biography of a grandmaster with Brooklyn ties
- [7] Eastern Time Zone - Wikipedia
- [8] Information for New Members | US Chess.org
Class times for New York City
Families in New York City book classes in their own time zone, during their local working day. The exact time is chosen when you book the free demo.
New York City keeps US Eastern Time. Daylight saving still changes in this part of the US, so the coach's clock moves by an hour in spring and fall. The hour you book stays on your clock.
What New York City parents pay
Regular classes run from ≈ $3.90 to ≈ $10.41 per live class. The starter pack is ≈ $26.02 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 New York City 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 named coaches such as Hrdyansh Pandey, Tarun Gupta and Aryan Pal. Sessions are live over video, so the coach watches your child play and corrects moves in real time. You keep the same coach weekly, and classes run in English or Hindi.
See coaches -
Check 2
How many children share the coach?
Group batches hold strictly 4-6 similarly-rated students, placed by working level so nobody is lost or held back. That small circle creates intense peer play and group calculation with real competition. If you want full attention, the 1:1 Analyst Protocol gives your child a private coach who targets the highest-value gap in their game.
See class size -
Check 3
Is there a real curriculum from beginner to rated play?
There is a real ladder from beginner to advanced, plus dedicated tracks for ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-15, tournament prep, rating improvement and an online summer camp. A beginner works toward finishing a complete game with opening principles, while an advanced student deepens calculation and turns training into events.
See the curriculum -
Check 4
How will I know it is working?
Every student gets a weekly WhatsApp report, so you can see exactly what was covered even if you do not play chess yourself. Coaches track individual understanding in group batches and review evidence from your child's own saved games. You will notice the change in play, not just on paper.
See progress reports -
Check 5
Is it safe, and can I see the classes?
Your child learns from a named coach in live, supervised sessions where strangers cannot chat openly. A parent sets everything up, and in the spirit of COPPA children do not create their own accounts with us. You can sit nearby or watch the session, and the coach is the same person every week.
Read safety policy -
Check 6
Can we try before paying?
Start with a complimentary 30-minute demo and level check before you commit. No payment details are needed.
See the level check -
Check 7
What if we stop?
New York City still gives a full refund within 48 hours of enrolling on a monthly plan, then pro-rates minus sessions attended before the 3rd class. The month already begun then stays on the account, while cancelling still ends later charges. The free demo still comes first.
See refund terms -
Check 8
Will the timings fit our week?
New York City 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 costs ≈ $26.02 for 8 classes. After that, regular plans run from ≈ $3.90 to ≈ $10.41 per class depending on the plan. Billing follows one rupee price list.
See fees -
Check 10
Is there a path to tournaments?
Chess In The Schools works in 48 NYC schools and states it runs 25+ tournaments a year. It published results from an All Girls championship at PS 11M, where over 400 girls competed. For later state scholastic dates, ask the New York State Chess Association. On average, students reach a first tournament after about four months of lessons; check the 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 of board time, and older students save one serious game a week for class review. If a rule causes confusion at home, note the position and send it to the coach, who settles it with a board example next lesson.
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 New York City-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.
20EC101 Raghvendra
November 2025
★★★★★
ChessWize is a great platform for improving chess skills—clean interface, smart puzzles, and very helpful analysis.
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 →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 →Why the online format fits New York City
Indian-American families are a large part of the metro, especially in Queens and nearby New Jersey suburbs that still orbit the city for work and school.
This suits Indian-American parents who want a steady coach in English or Hindi without adding another Manhattan or Queens pickup after homework.
Local chess context
US Chess (the United States Chess Federation) oversees rated scholastic play nationwide, and New York has long been one of the busiest scholastic chess regions in the country, with school clubs and weekend tournaments common in the metro. A fixed weekly coach helps a child turn casual interest into structured practice that can feed those local events when the family chooses to enter them. New York's junior scene is anchored by the Marshall Chess Club in Greenwich Village (founded 1915), which runs Sunday Junior Chess, academy camps and rated tournaments, while the nonprofit Chess in the Schools runs free citywide scholastic tournaments. The city raised 1972 World Champion Bobby Fischer (Brooklyn) and 2018 World Championship challenger Fabiano Caruana (Park Slope, Brooklyn).
Online and nearby offline choices
A strong local club or school programme in the city can be excellent for over-the-board practice and friends. ChessWize has no physical centre in New York or anywhere else — we are live online only. Online coaching suits families who want a named coach and a planned curriculum at home, then use local US Chess events separately for tournament experience.
See class details, fees and safety information below.
Questions from parents in New York City
Where is the Marshall Chess Club, and when is it open on a weekend?
The club lists 23 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011. It describes itself as one of the oldest chess clubs in the United States. Weekend hours on the same listing are Saturday-Sunday from 9 AM to midnight. Ask the club which activities suit your child's age and experience, and confirm session times before visiting; opening hours alone do not establish a junior program schedule.
What was the April 2026 All Girls NYC Chess Championship?
Chess In The Schools published results for that event at PS 11M on Saturday 18 April 2026. It said over 400 girls competed, and the event was submitted to USCF for rating. CIS also states it works in 48 schools in NYC and runs 25+ tournaments annually. That city event is separate from the K-8 state championships listed for Saratoga Springs.
How can I find out whether Chess In The Schools serves my child?
The organization states that it works in 48 NYC schools and runs 25 or more tournaments annually. Ask whether your child's school participates and which tournament listings fit their age and experience. Its published April 2026 All Girls NYC Chess Championship report described over 400 participants and submission to USCF for rating; check each other event's own rules.
How much do ChessWize chess classes cost for a New York City family?
The price list is the same one used in India, set in Indian rupees, and your card is charged the USD equivalent at checkout — there is no separate US price sheet. A US monthly plan refunds if you cancel within 48 hours of enrolling, then pro-rata minus sessions attended before the 3rd class. Book the free 30-minute demo first with no payment.
How does a family in New York City 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.
Is online coaching good enough, or do you have an offline centre in NYC?
ChessWize is live online only — no branch in New York City. Sessions are real-time video with a coach, max six kids or 1:1, ages 5–15, English or Hindi. Many families keep school or club OTB play for social chess and use online for the weekly teaching plan. Google rating is 5.0 from 21 reviews for the programme overall.
Can classes fit around a Queens school week and weekend tournament days?
That often sits better than another rush-hour trip into Manhattan. You keep the same coach weekly and get a WhatsApp parent report.
Will my child have the same coach every week?
Yes, and we put it in writing: same coach every session, no rotation. Continuity matters because the coach learns your child's habits, blind spots and pace over weeks. The free demo also lets your child meet that coach before any payment, so you can judge the connection first.
What ages and levels do you teach?
Children from ages 5 through 15, across beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, plus one-on-one and group formats. Roadmaps are age-specific: younger kids build safe move habits and short complete games, while teenagers work on calculation, repertoires and independent review. A complimentary level check places your child correctly before classes begin.
Does online coaching actually improve school focus and confidence?
Parents tell us it does. One mother says in her video, 'I can see the improvement in her concentration and the confidence level', but her account does not establish improved school performance. Ruby, mother of a six-year-old, says in her video: 'Earlier he was not able to think rightly and take the right move'. Structured weekly coaching builds patience that carries into homework and reading.
Is ChessWize a replacement for our school chess club?
No, and we would not want it to be. A strong local club gives your child over-the-board practice and friends, and New York has excellent options including the Marshall Chess Club and Chess in the Schools events. ChessWize provides the named coach and planned weekly curriculum at home; families often use both together.
What happens in the first class after the demo?
The coach maps your child's current game and starts the level roadmap at the right rung, whether that is recognising small patterns for a five-year-old or removing avoidable losses for a tournament player. Homework is light and targeted, and your first weekly WhatsApp report arrives after that session so you can see the plan in writing.
Do you offer anything during school breaks?
Yes, an online summer camp runs alongside the regular tracks. Camp days set one clear objective, teach and apply it on the same day, and send your child home with a continuation plan. Sessions stay light outside class hours, since tired children cannot explain what they learned, and a predictable setup with board and login ready keeps each day focused.
Is the New York City demo a real class?
Yes. The New York City 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.
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, with no payment details required.
Are these live classes or recorded lessons?
Live over video with a coach who watches your child play and corrects them in real time, not recorded content.