Make the 1st Move of your child's
Chess journey with Upstep Academy!
Certification & Inspiration by
GM Viswanathan Anand
Five-time World Chess Champion
Make the 1st Move of your child's Chess journey with Upstep Academy!
Certification & Inspiration by
GM Viswanathan Anand
Five-time World Chess Champion
We are Your Ultimate Chess Partner: Here’s Why!
Certified by GM Viswanathan Anand
Earn Level completion certificate Signed & inspired
by the 5-time World Chess Champion.
Live, Personalized & Engaging Classes
Interactive sessions tailored to
your child’s learning pace.
Scientifically Structured Curriculum
Developed through years of expertise for
steady learning and success.
World’s #1 Online Chess Academy
Shaping young minds through chess, loved by
students and trusted by parents.
Expert Chess Coaches
Internationally experienced & skilled coaches
guiding your child to success.
Dedicated Relationship Manager
Seamless learning support for
parents and students.
Scientifically Developed & Structured Curriculum
With years of experience, feedback, and proven results, we have meticulously developed a structured curriculum consisting of Five Foundation levels followed by Master Level training.
Even a child who completes just the Beginner Level will know more about chess than an average adult who plays it as a hobby with family and friends.
1. Beginner Level
Introduce your child to chess and its incredible possibilities. By the end, they’ll know how to play by international rules and apply basic strategies.
2. Advanced Beginner Level
Practical guidance to defeat amateur players. Students will master tactics and openings to gain a strong foundation.
3. Intermediate Level
Develop a solid understanding of endgames, opening theory, and strategic gameplay.
4. Advanced Part 1
Elevate to a professional level with an in-depth mastery of advanced tactics.
5. Advanced Part 2
Learn to analyze and gain insights from games played by World Chess Champions.
Master & Pro Master Level
A structured pathway to achieving an international chess rating, preparing students for competitive success.
1. Beginner Level
Introduce your child to chess and its incredible possibilities. By the end, they’ll know how to play by international rules and apply basic strategies.
2. Advanced Beginner Level
Practical guidance to defeat amateur players. Students will master tactics and openings to gain a strong foundation.
3. Intermediate Level
Develop a solid understanding of endgames, opening theory, and strategic gameplay.
4. Advanced Part 1
Elevate to a professional level with an in-depth mastery of advanced tactics.
5. Advanced Part 2
Learn to analyze and gain insights from games played by World Chess Champions.
Master & Pro Master Level
A structured pathway to achieving an international chess rating, preparing students for competitive success.
Inspiring Journeys of Our Students, One Move at a Time
Achieved a 310-Point Rating Surge in Just 8 Months
Kiet Nguyen, Australia
A dedicated and fearless competitor, 13-year-old Kiet has shown phenomenal progress by climbing f rom 1655 in January 2025 to 1965 by August 2025 — a massive +310 FIDE Classical rating jump!
🏆 Secured +258 rating points in just 4 months (April–August 2025), reflecting consistency and fearless play against stronger opposition.
🌟 Demonstrated relentless dedication through regular tournament participation and steady training.
🔥 Closing in on the 2000 rating milestone , making a strong statement of intent that he’s just getting started.
The Only U-7 Girl in the World with FIDE Ratings Across All Formats
Shreyanshi Jain, Rajasthan – India
Holds FIDE ratings in all three formats—Classical, Rapid, and Blitz—making her the only Under-7 girl in the world with such a distinction as of February 2025.
- Under-7 Girls National School Chess Champion with a flawless 9/9 score.
- Chessbase India Awarded a signed DVD by GM Gukesh D for her extraordinary feat.
- Continues the legacy of GM Gukesh D, who achieved the same milestone in 2017.
11-Year-Old FIDE Master with a FIDE Rating of 2346
Reyaansh Chakrabarty, Sydney – Australia
A prodigious talent, Reyaansh is making waves in the chess world with his extraordinary achievements at just 11 years old!
- Holds a FIDE rating of 2346 and the prestigious title of FIDE Master.
- Holds the title of Australian National U16 Chess Champion 2024, dominating players years older than him.
- Clinched bronze at the U10 FIDE World Cup in Batumi, Georgia.
- Among the youngest players in history to defeat a Grandmaster.
The Undefeated Hat-Trick Champion of MSSA Chess
Nirvaan Shah, Mumbai – India
A 10-year-old chess prodigy, Nirvaan has achieved an extraordinary feat of winning three consecutive MSSA Chess titles (2022, 2023, 2024), standing undefeated throughout!
- Won 24 games, drew 3, and lost none across three editions of MSSA Chess.
- Triumphed in the Under-12 section this year with an impressive 8.5/9 score.
FIDE-Rated at Just 5 and Growing Strong
Kushaagra Agrawal, Gorakhpur – India
A young chess enthusiast with remarkable achievements, Kushaagra has been turning heads with his impressive start in the chess world at just 5 years old!
- Achieved a Rapid FIDE Rating of 1428, becoming one of the youngest-rated players in India.
- Emerged as the top Under-5 performer at the National Schools U7 Championship 2024 with 5/9 points in his debut tournament.
Achieved a 305-Point Rating Leap in Just 2 Months
Vedant Nayudu, Singapore
Vedant has made an incredible leap in his chess journey, raising his FIDE Classical rating by 305 points in just two months!
- Gained 73 points at the Singapore International Open, battling higher-rated opponents.
- Secured a remarkable 146-point boost at the Xmas Basel Festival in Switzerland, with a draw against a FIDE Master.
- Added another 86 points at the Rilton Cup, competing against players averaging over 1700.
Indian U11 National Schools Champion 2024
Rishen Jilowa, Rajasthan – India
A rising star, Rishen showcased dominance and determination to clinch the Indian U11 National Schools 2024 Chess Championship in style!
- Crowned National Schools Champion with an unbeaten score of 8/9, finishing a full point ahead.
- Achieved a massive 110-point FIDE rating gain
Don't Take Our Word for It - Hear from Parents!
Forget the research and our claims. Trust in the experiences of parents just like you.
Read their reviews to learn how chess has positively influenced their children’s lives.
EXCELLENT Based on 2804 reviews Posted on deepika rajTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My kid has been learning chess with the team for the past more than a year. And he loves getting coached by the team.Posted on Gunjan Chaudhari VermaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good training given to the kids.We organised and structured.Good workPosted on Kompal GuptaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am extremely pleased with the online chess classes my child is attending. He shows great enthusiasm for each session and has demonstrated noticeable improvement in his focus and problem-solving skills. The classes in UPSTEP ACADEMY are so well-designed and interactive that he participates actively in class and enjoys learning new strategies. I am really thankful to his instructor Ms. Arpita ma'am who encourages him to ask questions and think independently which makes me happy to see his growing interest and confidence.Posted on Karthikeyan SankarTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We enrolled our 9-year-old son for online chess coaching with Upstep Academy, and it has been a wonderful experience so far. What stands out most is how naturally Anush, the coach, connects with my son. Being a relatively young coach, he brings an energy and enthusiasm that resonates beautifully with kids. My son genuinely looks forward to his sessions, which says a lot! The coaching approach is thoughtful and well-structured. Anush takes time to review my son's actual games on Chess.com, giving him personalised feedback on his practice — which makes the learning feel very real and relevant, not just theoretical. He keeps the sessions engaging and fun, ensuring chess never feels like a chore. Anush is also very flexible with scheduling, which is a huge plus for busy family routines. He strikes the perfect balance between being encouraging and constructive — always appreciating my son's efforts and progress, which has done wonders for his confidence and motivation. What also adds to the overall experience is the periodic support from the Relationship Manager Priya at Upstep Academy, who keep us informed and provide meaningful feedback on our son's progress — giving us as parents a clear picture of how he is developing. We're excited to see how my son grows his appreciation for chess with this guidance!Posted on Soham SaklaniTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve had a wonderful experience with Upstep Academy. My Son Soham Saklani has learned tremendously under their guidance and has shown remarkable improvement in her skills and confidence. The mentors are highly experienced, supportive, and … MorePosted on Sravanthi KothariTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son Chaturith Chakravarthy is very happy with the classes, appreciate his teacher for continuous support and motivation. Thank youPosted on Suman ManiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I'm liking my experience with the class and hope to avail the same in future.Posted on Surbhi AgarwalTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Upstep Chess Academy has been a great experience for my daughter. The coaches are patient, the sessions are engaging. Highly recommended for kids starting their chess journey.Posted on S NethTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter used to take classes with Upstep Academy in the foundation level. Their coaches are very interactive and RM is always there to help. I have definitely recommended them and still do for anyone who's looking for their kid to learn chess from scratch.
Enrolment Process
Demo Class
Level Assessment
Counselling Session
Enrolment
Enrolment Process
1st
Demo Class
2nd
Level Assessment
3rd
Counselling Session
4th
Enrolment
All you need for
FREE Demo Class is
- A Device: Laptop | Desktop | Tablet | Smart Phone
- Willingness to learn & play
- Good internet connection
The Objective of our demo is to assess your child’s Chess level, give you an experience of our online Chess class, and also show you the format in which chess is taught online by our well-experienced coaches
- Age Group : 5 to 15 Years
- Interactive Live One-on-one Demo Class
- 20 Minutes Demo Session
Research Reveals Chess Can Boost Grades by Up to 20%!
Scroll through the other Research-Backed Benefits
of Chess Beyond the Board.
Chess Increases Creativity
Unleash your creative genius!
Playing chess activates the brain’s right hemisphere, sparking originality and imaginative problem-solving. A four-year study by Robert Ferguson involving students (grades 7 to 9) revealed that chess players showed the highest growth in originality compared to other activities..
Increases Problem-Solving Skills
Life is full of challenges, and chess is the ultimate training ground for solving them.
A 1992 New Brunswick (Canada) study split 450 students into three groups: Group A followed the standard math curriculum, Group B added chess instruction after first grade, and Group C started chess lessons from first grade alongside math.
Remarkably, Group C’s scores skyrocketed from 62% to 81.2%, outperforming Group A by 21.46%!
Exercises both sides of the brain
Think of chess as a full-brain workout that strengthens your mind from every angle.
A German study compared the brain activity of chess experts and novices, revealing that experienced players activate both hemispheres to process patterns and calculate moves faster. This dual-brain engagement leads to improved logical reasoning, visual-spatial skills, and the ability to multitask effectively.
Chess Improves Memory
Do you often wish your child had a better memory or was more organized? Chess might be the answer!
Studies have shown that chess players develop stronger memory skills, as the game requires them to remember moves, anticipate patterns, and plan strategies several steps ahead.
A 1985 study demonstrated that students who played chess for two years improved their grades in all subjects and exhibited better memory and organizational skills, as observed by their teachers.
Chess Helps Manage ADHD Symptoms
For children struggling with focus and attention, chess can work wonders. A 2016 study revealed that chess helped children with ADHD reduce inattentiveness by 41%, as it requires sustained concentration and thoughtful decision-making.
Parents of children with ADHD often notice significant improvements in their ability to focus for longer periods, stay calm under pressure, and develop self-discipline. By engaging in a structured and stimulating game like chess, children can channel their energy into something productive and rewarding.
Chess Promotes Brain Growth and Neural Connections
What if a simple game could physically grow your child’s brain? Studies suggest that playing chess stimulates the growth of dendrites—branch-like structures in the brain that transmit information between neurons.
When your child plays chess, they’re essentially working out their brain. The result? An increase in the brain’s ability to process and adapt to information.
Over time, this enhanced brain activity leads to better decision-making, faster reflexes, and an improved ability to tackle complex challenges.