- India's Premier Online Chess Academy
Best Online Chess Classes in India: Helping Your Child Think Like a Champion
Following the news for a while no one can miss the fact that chess in India is the most talked-about topic in the entire world. Young stars-like Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa, and Vaishali are making the “chess fever” spread even more. As a parent, you might wonder if your kid could participate in these games by just seeing them watch.
At Upstep Academy, we think the answer is a loud yes. Chess was never reserved only for prodigies. It is a game of skills that can be learned, and the rewards go well beyond the board, teaching patience, improving school grades, and even boosting one’s self-esteem. If you are on the lookout for the best online chess academy in India, we have created a platform that connects you to the Grandmasters’ expertise right in your living room.
Whether you are looking for online chess classes for beginners in India or advanced online chess training in India, our goal is to make this complicated game simple, entertaining, and life-changing for children aged 5 to 15.
Why Upstep Academy is the Top Choice
for Chess Coaching Online in India
The selection of an academy is a crucial one. It is essential to have a place that is professional enough to bring results, but warm enough that your child does not feel that he or she is in “another school.” Here is the reason why thousands of Indian parents trust us for chess coaching online in india.
Inspired and Signed by GM Viswanathan Anand
In India, chess begins and ends with the legend himself. It is a great source of pride for us that our level completion certificates are signed and inspired by the 5-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand. Upstep continues with the children’s completions of the levels not just providing them with a certificate but also a mark of excellence which is acknowledged by the “God of Indian Chess.” This makes Upstep a truly unique chess academy that is confirmed by Viswanathan Anand’s standards.
We Keep Batches Very Small
Many platforms try to teach 15 or 20 kids at once. We don’t. Our online chess classes in India are held in small groups of just 4-8 students (or 1-on-1 if you prefer). This means your child gets to talk, ask questions, and actually play rather than just listening to a lecture.
FIDE Rated Coaches & Grandmasters
We don’t just hire people who know how to play; we hire people who know how to teach. Our team consists of fide rated chess coaches in India who teach via the online mode who are experts at handling young minds. For our more advanced students, we offer the Grandmaster Accelerator Program (GAP), where they get chess lessons with Indian grandmasters and other titled players like Rakesh Kulkarni and Sahaj Grover, Farrukh Amanatov.
Stop wondering if your child has what it takes.
Book a FREE 1:1 Demo Session today and let our experts assess your child’s potential!
What You Need to Know:
Is Online Chess Right for Your Child?
If you’re just starting out, there are probably some things on your mind. Does this mean my child has to be good at math? A screen will certainly bore them, right?
Well, the fact is online chess classes for kids in India are preferable to offline classes in numerous aspects. With the help of digital boards, we can easily ‘record’ plays and demonstrate to the pupils exactly how a mistake was done with just one click. It transforms a game into a visual riddle.
When should they start?
Most kids are approximately 5 years old when they are capable of participating in the beginner’s online chess classes in India. They want to know more, and they already have the primary logic that enables them to understand the movement of the pieces. You see, even if they cannot tell a “pawn” from a “bishop” yet, do not worry, this is what we are here for!
Affordable and Accessible
We believe that not only the very rich can afford the best coaching. We have been putting in effort to make it possible for all the families around the country, even from remote areas without any local coaching centers, to have access to inexpensive online chess coaching in India.
Requirements for Online Chess Class
You won’t need much to start off. A simple checklist is shown here:
- A Laptop or Desktop: We believe that a larger screen is quite beneficial in keeping children’s concentration. Tablets can be used but a desktop PC will give the best quality experience.
- Stable Internet: To prevent the live video from lagging at a very important move.
- A Zoom Account: This is the platform where our interactive live sessions take place.
- A Free Lichess or Chess.com Account: We carry out our practice games and puzzles on these platforms.
- A Willingness to Learn: A physical chess board is not necessary, but having one at home can be a plus for practice!
Our Chess Curriculum:
A Scientifically Structured Path
One of the reasons why we are considered the best online chess academy in India and abroad is our structured method. We do not simply “play games.” A child is led through the five levels of foundation that transform him/her from a novice to a competitive tournament player.
This is the place where the online chess classes for beginners in India begin.
- The Language of Chess: Grasping the board, square names, and arrangement.
- The Pieces: Realizing the “superpowers” of each piece.
- The Rules: Castling, En Passant, and how to do Checkmate.
- Aim: Your child will be able to learn international rules of the games of chess by the end of the course.
We start looking for “tricks” now.
- Tactics 101: Introduction to Forks, Pins, and Skewers.
- Opening Basics: How to kick off the game like a pro.
- Calculation: Learning to see 2 moves ahead.
This is the point where the game gets profound.
- Endgames: Comprehending how to win with just a King and a Pawn.
- Strategy: Dominating the center of the board and piece coordination.
- Tournament Prep: Getting ready to play in the local chess competition in India.
For children serious about their FIDE rating.
- Deep Analysis: Learning World Champions’ games.
- Games of Past Masters: Students understand the openings better through games of past masters.
- Grandmaster Secrets: Casual interaction through learning in advanced checkmating patterns.
The Grandmaster Accelerator Program (GAP)
This is our premier route. If your kid is an already proficient player, GAP offers instructional sessions in chess with well known Indian and foreign grandmasters. It concentrates on the psychological aspect of the game, deep tactical patterns, and mental toughness.
Has your child mastered the fundamentals? Let’s help them ascend. Click here to enroll in the Grandmaster Accelerator Program and get excellent training with the top professionals.
Top 10 Online Chess Coaching in India (2025)
We understand that you want to weigh your options. Here’s a presentation of the most well-respected names in India. Although we do our utmost to be your first choice, these academies still play a part in the sports development:
In case of beginners in chess coaching, we suggest at least two sessions per week as the minimum for noticeable progress.
| Rank | Academy | Why They Stand Out | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Upstep Academy |
Certificates signed by Anand, Small 1:8 Batches, FIDE & GM Coaches. |
All levels (Highly Personalized) |
|
2 |
Premier Chess Academy |
Massive global community with a focus on internal leagues. |
Beginners / Social Play |
|
3 |
Circlechess |
Use of AI tools and tech-heavy analysis for kids. |
Intermediate Tech-lovers |
|
4 |
Kaabil Kids |
Curriculum designed by GMs for professional growth. |
Serious Aspirants |
|
5 |
Chessbrainz |
Flexible time zones for kids living abroad or in India. |
NRI/Global Indian families |
|
6 |
Archer Chess Academy |
Focus on tactical mastery and middle-game depth. |
Tactical focus |
|
7 |
Kingdom of Chess |
Strong track record in state-level championships. |
Regional Tournament Prep |
|
8 |
Talentgum |
Offers very affordable online chess coaching india for casual learners. |
Budget-friendly Hobbyists |
|
9 |
Mind Mentorz |
Focuses on how chess helps with logic and IQ scores. |
Academic/Logic Focus |
|
10 |
Victorious Chess Academy |
Years of experience in local and online training. |
Traditional Training |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Not really! A good number of the students who are the most successful among us started at the age of five. If they can identify figures and carry out simple commands, they are prepared for the lesson.
We have experienced coaches for foundation at Upstep. Also International Masters (IMs) and Grandmasters (GMs) are only applicable for GAP.
It serves as a great motivator. Children due to the fact that their advancement is recognized by the first Grandmaster of India, feel a strong emotion of pride. Their co-curricular profile becomes the more prestigious one.
Usually, we have 2 classes a week. This helps the child to maintain consistency without chess being a burden on top of school being a burden.
Yes, our Grandmaster Accelerator Program (GAP) and special quarterly masterclasses provide opportunities for our students to interact with GMs directly.
Yes, it is possible. The majority of the world’s top young players have learned mainly through online games. The tools that we offer make the game board very interactive and easy to follow.
Sure. Even though our groups are quite small (8 students), we do provide individual sessions for parents who want their child to receive 100% attention.
In such cases, we offer recorded sessions and sometimes makeup classes (depending on the plan you have chosen) to make sure your child’s online chess training india does not get interrupted.
We conduct quarterly Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTM) and provide detailed performance reports. Additionally, we check internal ratings and participation in our monthly tournaments.
The only way is to try! We have a Free 1:1 Demo Session. This will help our coach to determine your child’s level and at the same time, your child will discover the fun side of chess.
Begin Your Child’s Journey Today
Perhaps the next Gukesh or Praggnanandhaa is right at your home, and is just waiting to get the proper mentorship. Though they may not be world champions, the skills that your child acquires at Upstep Academy will definitely last a lifetime.
Why not just go for “another class.” Pick up the top online chess academy in India and let your child unwrap the present of strategic thinking. The online chess classes for beginners in India to the Grandmaster programs, we are there to back up each step.
Do you want to see them glow?