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Make the 1st Move of your child's Chess journey with Upstep Academy!

Fill in the details to book
your FREE Demo session
(USA Timings)

Trusted by thousands of parents globally,
including the USA & Canada

Viswanathan Anand – Chess World Champion

Certification & Inspiration by

GM Viswanathan Anand

Five-Time Word Chess Champion

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All you need for
FREE Demo Class is

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 ourΒ well-experiencedΒ coaches

Chess develops critical life skills in children

We are Your Ultimate Chess Partner: Here’s Why!

Certified by GM Viswanathan Anand.png
Certified by GM Viswanathan Anand

Earn Level completion certificate Signed & inspired
by the 5-time World Chess Champion.

Live, Personalized; Engaging Classes
Live, Personalized & Engaging Classes

Interactive sessions tailored to
your child’s learning pace.

Scientifically Structured Curriculum
Scientifically Structured Curriculum

Developed through years of expertise for
steady learning and success.

World’s #1 Online Chess Academy
World’s #1 Online Chess Academy

Shaping young minds through chess, loved by
students and trusted by parents.

Expert Chess Coaches
Expert Chess Coaches

Internationally experienced & skilled coaches
guiding your child to success.

Dedicated Relationship Manager
Dedicated Relationship Manager

Seamless learning support for
parents and students.

Convenient for North American Families

Classes available in: EST- CST - PST

North America timezone – Online chess classes

Structured Chess Program for Young Minds (Ages 5-15)

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 first course in our curriculum will have a stronger grasp of 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.

Practical guidance to defeat amateur players. Students will master tactics and openings to gain a strong foundation.

Develop a solid understanding of endgames, opening theory, and strategic gameplay.

Elevate to a professional level with an in-depth mastery of advanced tactics.

Learn to analyze and gain insights from games played by World Chess Champions.

A structured pathway to achieving an international chess rating, preparing students for competitive success.

1. Beginner Level
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
2. Advanced Beginner Level

Practical guidance to defeat amateur players. Students will master tactics and openings to gain a strong foundation.

3. Intermediate Level
3. Intermediate Level

Develop a solid understanding of endgames, opening theory, and strategic gameplay.

4. Advanced Part 1
4. Advanced Part 1

Elevate to a professional level with an in-depth mastery of advanced tactics.

5. Advanced Part 2
5. Advanced Part 2

Learn to analyze and gain insights from games played by World Chess Champions.

Master & Pro Master Level
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

Don’t Take Our Word for it

Hear from Our Parents in USA, Canada,
India, UK, UAE, Australia, Singapore, France, Italy and 15 more countries

EXCELLENT
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Based on 3391 reviews
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L Thomas
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Very professional and proficient, my kid’s interest in chess has gone up and he is able to play very well!
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shashi verma
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We’re very happy with our son’s chess teacher. She is patient, knowledgeable, and explains things in a way the kids understand. She manages the class really well and keeps the children engaged and interested. We’ve seen our son become more confident and excited about chess. Highly recommend her.
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Grande Lifestyles
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Good coaching.. Polite staff
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SS D profile picture
SS D
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Upstep academy gave my son confidence nd how to play and deal with attacks. First Coach Arjun sir. He is very supportive and takes a good care children while playing. RM also very supportive once the class is missed. They will share the recorded video. Thank you so much for the sessions.
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Pradnyaa Waaggh
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We are extremely happy with our daughter’s chess academy - Upstep Academy and her teacher Mr. Niranjan Sharad Kurhe. He is very friendly, patient, and comfortable with kids, which makes every class enjoyable and engaging. He has built a wonderful rapport with the children and understands how to encourage and motivate them in the right way. His teaching style is simple, interactive, and encouraging. We have seen a positive change in our daughter’s interest and confidence in chess and is also enjoying every class. Truly a dedicated and approachable teacher and an academy who creates a happy learning environment. Highly recommended! β™ŸοΈπŸ˜Š
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Ranjana Singh profile picture
Ranjana Singh
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We are extremely happy and grateful for the wonderful guidance our child has received from her chess trainer (Debangi). Teaching chess to a 5-year-old requires a great deal of patience, creativity, and encouragement, and Debangi truly excels in all these areas. She is incredibly patient and friendly, making every session enjoyable and engaging for our young child. Her instructions are always clear and simple, allowing kid to understand and follow them easily. Punctuality and professionalism are other qualities we greatly admire. Every class is well-organized, and Debangi consistently creates a positive and supportive environment. We highly recommend Debangi to any parent looking for an excellent chess coach for young children.

Enrolment Process

Demo Class
Level Assessment
Counselling Session
Enrolment

Enrolment Process

Research Reveals Chess Can Boost Grades by Up to 20%!

Scroll through the other Research-Backed Benefits
of Chess Beyond the Board.

Chess Boosts Grades

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 dendritesβ€”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.

Ready to Build Your Child's Focus & Strategy?

Join thousands of parents across USA & Canada who trust Upstep Academy
for elite chess coaching. Book your free demo class today!

Will my child get certificate?

Your child will earn certificate with each level

What do we need to start online classes?

All you need is :

  1. A Device (Desktop | Laptop | Tablet | Phone)
  2. Good internet connection
  3. Willingness to learn and explore

Chess is one of the few sports that can be learnt online and offline equally well with guided training, practice and analysis.

Why kids should learn Chess?
Chess is the 21st century skill: Learning Chess will help your child in Improving Math | Logical thinking | Think Strategically | Pattern Recognition | Quick Response Time | Building Confidence | Decision making | Reduce Anxiety | Planning & Problem Solving | Increasing Self Awareness. Click on the following link for researched backed benefits of chess
Can I take break between classes?

Yes, our levels are very well structured, this allows you to take a small break and then start from exactly where you stopped. You can even switch between the formats e.g. from private one-on-one to Group classes and also change frequency.

Who will teach?
All our coaches are certified, well trained and experienced. For different level we have different coaches. E.g. for beginner level coaches, we have trained them in a way that they make chess fun and engaging for kids… for higher levels when kids are participating in tournaments and national and international competitions, we even have IMs (International Masters) and GMs (Grand Masters) train our students.
Time and Days of class?
Batch timings are flexible, not just for private classes but also for group classes, we have a lot of options for days, format and time. Our team will share the best options for you.